Bud Norris (5-9, 4.93) vs Justin Germano (1-2, 3.28)
Houston's final games as a National League franchise will come at Wrigley Field in October. After today's game, Bud Norris and the Astros were likely only too grateful to bid adieu to the Friendly Confines until then. Astros lose 7-2, dropping to 39-80 overall.
*Bud Norris and Wrigley Field do not mix well in 2012. On June 29, he started here in his return from the DL, but he gave up 3 HR and took the loss. Today, he gave up another 3 HR, and left the game after taking a line drive off his left foot. Bud's numbers: 3.1 IP / 8 H / 6 R / 6 ER / 3 BB / 4 K. Chuckie Fick allowed an unearned run on a passed ball in 2.1 innings of work. Xavier Cedeno, Mickey Storey, and Wesley Wright combined for 2.1 innings scoreless thereafter.
Observations:
*A day after every Astro starter got a hit or an RBI, four Astros were responsible for all of Houston's 7 hits and 2 runs today.
*Scott Moore had the biggest impact, starting at 3B against his former team. Moore went 2 for 4 with a home run, and scored both of the Astros runs.
*Brandon Barnes went 1 for 3 and drove in Moore on a double play grounder in the 7th.
*Jose Altuve went 3 for 4, but never factored in the scoring because the next three guys after him went a combined 0 for 9 with 2 K.
*Brian Bogusevic went 1 for 2 after entering the game as a pinch hitter in the 7th.
Turning Point:
Bud Norris entered the 4th already trailing 4-1, but Wrigley was playing like a hitter's park, so Houston hoped to climb back in the game. Bud got Steve Clevenger to ground to first for the first out, but then he walked pitcher Justin Germano. David DeJesus already had a home run off Norris in the previous inning, but he launched another to center field to make the score 6-1. Five pitches later, Josh Vitters singled off Bud's left foot, adding injury to insult and sending him to an early shower.
Man of the Match:
Scott Moore. He's now 7 for 13 (.538) with two home runs and three doubles in three games against the Cubs this season.
Goat of the Game:
Bud Norris. He's had more good starts lately than bad, but he didn't have it at all today.
