Bud Norris Doesn't Last 2 Innings And Astros Lose To Arizona

Let me start by saying that he had the bad luck to have both Angel Hernandez as the HP ump and Quintero catching. AND Bud didn't keep the ball down and the few times he did, Hernandez wouldn't call it a strike. Bud only gave up one hard hit ball, Roberts' double to right in the first (and Jason Michaels is no Hunter Pence with the glove), but even piddly singles that get through holes combined with too many walks and Quintero not blocking balls in the dirt = 5 runs in the first inning. I was DELIGHTED to see Paulino pitch 4 excellent innings, giving up only 1 run (charged to poor Norris) on 2 hits and NO walks with 3 Ks. That's the best I've seen him pitch since his game vs Detroit. And no, Hernandez didn't call knee high pitches strikes for him either - actually, the strike zone ended like 3" above the knee, but he DID get letter high FB called strikes and Paulino is good at throwing the high FB. He had the slider working pretty well this outing, too. And believe it or not, I DO agree with Coop pulling Norris when he did - the kid had absolutely NOTHING out there. And I DO agree with Coop pulling Paulino after 4 innings because even though it was only 55 pitches, he hadn't been staying in games any longer than that (got knocked out) at AAA for the past month. The Stros didn't come back, and they did their usual stranding lots of runners on base thingy. They got homers from Q and Michaels, but unfortunately, they were solo jobs and Carlos made sure that the Astros got back on track in the GIDP race. Bourn was stranded both times he got on base - once at third with 1 out (and that is sorry). However, I'm not gonna be too mad at Paulino for striking out with 2 on and 2 out. Carlos for GIDP with men on first and second 1 out? You betcha. ESPECIALLY because the twins have now taken up the cause and are gleefully shouting - He GONNA GIDP!!! when we have a man on first and less than 2 outs. Husband only THINKS he got that innocent - who meee? look down. Maysonet actually got into a game!! He got to pinch hit - he singled, then came around to score. But we need to keep him on the bench as muich as possible because Kaz makes more money. Or something. We got to see our old pitchers Gutierrez and Qualls. Qualls is their closer - he's 2-1 with 23 saves and 4 BS - he didn't win any of the games in which he blew a save, either. This is a significant improvement from last year, in which he was the setup guy - had 22 holds, 7 BS and 8 losses. He was made the closer in Sept, saved 7 games and blew 1 (and without giving up a hit or a walk...) He'll be a 6th year guy next year, and he's made a pretty good closer. Ah well... Tomorrow, we're off to ol Saint Looie and it will be Wandy vs Adam Wainwright. Wainwright lost his last start against the Astros, 2-0 vs Norris, but that is the ONLY time the Astros have beaten the guy - he's got a 2.17 ERA/1.07 WHIP/.227 BAA over 62.1 IP against us. He's pretty darn good at home too - over 322 IP, he has a 2.77 ERA/1.20 WHIP/.247 BAA. Wandy has pitched VERY well vs the Cards over the past 3 years,with an ERA of 2.42, but has been stuck with a lot of hard luck losses due to no run support; let's hope that he pitches well AND gets run support.