Bud Norris wasn’t exactly superb through his first 3 innings – giving up a homer to the PITCHER batting .103, throwing anmoving FB RIGHT down the middle.
But he couldn’t find the strike zone in the 4th – got one popup, but gave up 3 straight walks and a 2 run single to Brandon EFF Belt, hitting .218. Then, with men on first and third, it’s Bumgardner, the pitcher – gets 2 balls, then pops up and Bud, forgetting that the catcher and third basemen are supposed to catch the foul pops, runs over to get it and twists his ankle and the ball drops.
Honestly.
He tried to talk Millsie-poo into staying, but no go. He might could have wheedled his way into staying, but with 3 straight walks??? Um, no.
David Carpenter came in and got the other 2 outs, getting a photo finish out on Brandon Belt at home.
sigh
I’m really REALLY suspiscious that he’s been working through some kind of injury for the past few weeks. Now, he’ll HAVE to sit for a bit, which is good – unless you consider the fact that the pitchers at AAA look lousy. Trust me on this.
Oh yeah
Matt Downs = Jason Michaels
I saw the game on TWC Channel 77. Ugh, no HD for that game so it was kinda fuzzy even with glasses.
It was a dreary affair.
ump had a much larger strike zone for bumgardner than he did for astros pitchers. lots of those called strikes weren’t – ESPECIALLY the called strike 3 to CJ
it was good to see david carpenter go 2.2 and not give up any runs
it was the usual watching jason castro give up wild pitches and not be able to throw well to second. sigh – i had hoped he was improving.
it was kewl to see bogu rip a single off lefty bumgardner – all that stupid all righty lineup crap – and castro hit a double off lefty javy lopez.
the rest?
yecccch
The called strike against Johnson was indeed, a strike. I was surprised he didn’t get tossed for “mouthing off” at the Ump. Norris is HURT. PERIOD. I’d rather call somebody up who’s not been pitching well…….rather than keep running Bud out there every 5th. day. Either way we lose. I think Luhnow has his eye on a pitcher to add at the deadline. Who???? Who knows. We gonna get K I L L E D tonight.
Happ can’t pitch his way outta a paper bag, and Matt Cain is AWESOME! Becky:)
One hour till game start. I hope it’s on TWC, although I’d prefer it be on FXSW for HD viewing.
Laying in ample booze to take the sting out of another potential Astros loss…
Becky,
I agree about Bud..I’d rather see him take a rest to heal whatever is nagging him and let someone come up from AAA to try out for the Astros. It’s not like the Astros are going to be headed to the playoffs much less the World Series.
Eric