Astros shut down Angels 3 – 0
WP: Norris (4-3)
LP: Blanton (0-6)
Save: Veras (4)
contributed by Sphinx Drummond
For years I was a Scott Tissue man, until one day I actually thought about what I was buying and was instantly captivated by the notion of a butt maintenance material so lithe and supple that it could only be described as Angel soft. What a fine product it is. Still, there is something wrong with that name. Toilet paper is used for… well, we all know what toilet paper is used for. And that act shouldn’t be associated with angels or The Angels. Butt, then The Angels do have their Pujols, so it kind of makes sense.
Bud Norris was the model of efficiency, throwing only 84 pitches in 8 plus innings, just 77 pitches through the first 8 innings, thus providing the relief staff with some much needed rest. He got a lot of support from the defense throughout the night. The Astros were stellar in turning four double plays, taking their league leading total to 46 on the year. Bud, who raised his record to 4 wins and 3 losses, got into a little trouble in the 9th, allowing runners to reach the corners with no outs before giving way for Jose Veras to come in and save the game for him. And save the game he did. Veras is pretty iffy as a closer but he was good last night. First striking out Trumbo then inducing a double play out of Howie Kendrick to end the game and preserve the win for Bud.
The Astros got the scoring started in the third with two runs following three doubles in a row. Carter added a third and final run in the 5th with his 8th homer of the year. The Angels got on the board in the 7th when Josh Hamilton hit his 3rd home-run of the season and upped his average to .205. (Meanwhile, Pujols is batting a paltry .240. The lack of production from these very well paid athletes is unexpected but welcome everywhere outside of the L.A. area.)
The home plate ump, Bill Welke proved he is just as blind as his brother Tim, and needs to be singled out for his ridiculously bad out call on a suicide squeeze play in the Astros half of the eighth. Replay after replay from every angle possible made it clear that Conger missed the tag and that Paredes touched the plate. It was obvious to everyone but Bill Welke.
Fortunately, the blown call did not come back to haunt the Astros. However, it was a little tense when the tying run was on first in the ninth with a pitcher known to blow saves on the mound. But Veras was true to his task and did not let the team down. Tonight the Astros go for their first series sweep of the year when Lucas Harrell squares off against Jason Vargas.