A 4-run 3rd inning was all the Cardinals needed to get the best of Bud Norris. Astros lose 5-1.
*The Astros have lost four straight for the 3rd time this season. Current losing trends are: five losses in six games and nine of eleven games. Since winning three straight games from April 27-29, the Astros are 3-11.
*With the Twins winning two in a row, the Astros are one game up on the Twins for the worst record in baseball.
*The Astros are now 6-15 on the road - the worst record in the NL. Only the Royals have fewer losses (5), but have only played 16 road games.
*Norris threw 5IP, giving up 7H/5ER, 4K:3BB, breaking a seven start stretch of 18+ outs. The 4Ks were the fewest he's had since August 24, 2010, when he struck out four Phillies.
*Norris hit Tyler Greene with a pitch, for his first HBP since August 19, 2010 against the Mets - a span of 102IP.
*The bullpen actually got a job done, allowed 3H/0ER, 2K:1BB in 3IP. Jose Valdez has allowed 2H/0ER, 5K:2BB in his last 5IP - since giving up 3ER in 0.2IP on May 7.
*The Astros got six hits on the night. In the last two games against New York, they got 23 hits, combined, obviously. In the three games since, the Astros have 18 hits.
*Two of those hits were from Humberto Quintero, breaking an 0x11 stretch dating back to May 10.
*Two other hits came from Michael Bourn, who was 2x4. It was Bourn's 600th game played, and he got his 1900th AB, also getting his 500th hit. His career line is .263/.332/.348, with 187 SB.
*Carlos Lee got the only extra-base hit, a double, in the top of the 7th.
*Chris Johnson knocked Lee in with a single later in the inning, and was then doubled off first for your routine, inning-ending 8-6-3 double play. Johnson did draw a walk, giving him a walk in back-to-back games for just the 3rd time in his career (140 games). Brett Wallace has done that three times this season.
*Man of the Match: Jeez. Chris Johnson, I guess.
*Goat of the Game: Everybody!
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
