Bud Norris took a no-hitter into the 6th and threw 7IP, 2H/0ER, 5K:4BB in his rotation debut. How does that compare to some other notable debuts in the last 20 years (we're talking about first career starts, not first starts for the Astros after being traded or signed as a free agent):
Darryl Kile: April 24, 1991 vs Cincinnati: 6IP, 0H/0ER, 5K:2BB in a 1-0, 13-inning win
Butch Henry: April 9, 1992 vs Cincinnati: 4.1IP, 8H/4ER, 2K:2BB in a 6-5 win
Shane Reynolds: July 20, 1992 vs Pittsburgh: 3.2IP, 8H/6ER, 2K:2BB in an 11-8 win
Chris Holt: April 4, 1997 vs St. Louis: 6.1IP, 6H/2ER, 4K:2BB in a 3-2 win
Scott Elarton: June 20, 1998 vs Cincinnati: 6.1IP, 5H/4ER, 9K:1BB in a 9-8 win
Wade Miller: July 7, 1999 at Arizona: 3IP, 8H/7ER, 3K:1BB in a 13-7 loss
Roy Oswalt: June 2, 2001 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers: 6IP, 2H/1ER, 4K:0BB in a 2-1 win
Carlos Hernandez: August 18, 2001 vs Pittsburgh: 7IP, 2H/0ER, 7K:1BB in a 3-2 win
Jeriome Robertson: September 2, 2002 at Texas: 2.2IP, 6H/2ER, 1K:1BB in a 7-2 loss
Ezequiel Astacio: May 3, 2005 vs Pittsburgh: 6IP, 7H/4ER, 6K:1BB in a 7-4 loss
Wandy Rodriguez: May 23, 2005 @ Chicago Cubs: 5.2IP, 6H/4ER, 6K:1BB in a 4-1 loss
So Bud's start ranks up there with the best, but the #1 spot has to go to Darryl Kile who threw 6 no-hit innings in his first career start. Agree, or disagree?
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith