The Astros closed out the opening series with a 3-2 win over the Rockies for their first Opening Series win since 2006.
*First off: Attendance was bad. Really bad. 14,195 in paid attendance, which you can pretty much guarantee was a decent amount higher that who was actually there. The lowest attendance in 2011 was 19,250 (Monday, August 29 vs. Arizona). The lowest Sunday attendance in 2011 was 21,621 (September 25 vs. Colorado).
*The previous low in attendance at Minute Maid Park was on Tuesday, April 8, 2003, when 18,594 "paid" to see the Reds. The Astros have only played home games on two Easters at Minute Maid Park, but drew 38,695 on Easter 2000 (opening year of Minute Maid) and 36,273 on Easter 2007.
*Anyhow, the Astros are over .500 for the first time since July 29, 2009, when they were 51-50, or a period of 984 days.
*The Astros were down 2-1 at the beginning of the 8th inning, and got a timely error by the Rockies, and timely hits from the offense to take a 3-2 lead into the 9th. The Astros' record when trailing to begin the 8th inning in 2010-11: 15-155.
*Bud Norris threw 7IP, 4H/2ER, 8K:3BB. The only mistake was a 4th inning 2-run homer to catcher Willin Rosario, who hit his 4th career MLB homer - and 2nd HR against the Astros (Fernando Rodriguez gave up his 3rd career homer on 9/22/11).
*Norris' 8Ks were the highest in a game since he struck out 10 Giants on 8/28/11.
*Date of Brett Myers' last Save: September 27, 2007, vs. Atlanta.
*Myers allowed a double to Michael Cuddyer, the first batter he faced of the game. Which makes total sense, because the first batter he faced in 2011 collective hit .586/.647/.862. Also, Myers' 1st inning in 2011: .369/.407/.631 against.
*Astros starting pitchers this series: 20.1IP, 13H/2ER, 14K:5BB, 1HR (0.89 ERA / 0.89 WHIP).
*Congrats to Brian Bogusevic, who got his first career RBI against a left-handed pitcher. And congrats to Jeff Luhnow, for giving Brad Mills no other options on the bench than to leave him in. Before Bogusevic's AB, he had been 2x17 with 5K:1BB.
*Man of the Match: Brian Bogusevic.
*Goat of the Game: Brett Myers. Seriously, I'm going to have a heart attack.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
