Bud Norris got roughed up early, and the Astros still haven't figured out that, if they're not going to get on base with a hit, they could try walking. Astros start 0-3 for a second straight year after losing to Oswalt and the Phillies, 7-3.
*Bud Norris gave up two first-inning homers, to Ryan Howard and Ben Francisco. Norris gave up 2+ HRs four times last season, and on two of those occasions did two come in the same inning.
*Norris had only given up four 1st-inning HRs in his career, prior to today. He failed to record 15 outs for the first time this season (obviously) and for the eighth time in his last 28 starts.
*Enerio Del Rosario continued his scoreless streak, but gave up the runs charged to Aneury Rodriguez. The Astros have said that they project Aneury to the rotation, and given his Rule 5 status, isn't going anywhere.
*Hunter Pence hit his first homer of the season in the 4th inning, and his third hit of the season - three games before his third hit of 2010. He came into this game with a 1.029 OPS against Philadelphia, the highest against any team he has played 4+ games against.
*Bourn drew the first unintentional walk of the season - after 23 innings. He has two of the three walks this season (Wallace also got a walk), and the Astros have a nice little 28K:3BB ratio this series.
*Bill Hall got his first hit as an Astro today, giving him a series line of 1x11, 1RBI, 5K. Hall was the last of the everyday players to get a hit in 2011.
*The Astros were outscored 21-11 in this series. Last year, they were 0-3, and were ourscored 18-6.
Man of the Match: Hunter Pence
Goat of the Game: Bud Norris
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
