And the Astros sweep the Pirates for the third time this season. Astros win 8-2.
*The Astros are 10-2 against the Pirates this season, and are 20-7 against Pittsburgh since the beginning of 2009.
*J.A. Happ was strong again, throwing another quality start of 6IP, 3H/2ER, 5K:4BB. However, those walks...
*In five of Happ's seven starts this season, he has walked four or more batters. He isn't allowing many hits: 29 in 40.2IP, but he has 32K:31BB.
*Mark Melancon made his Houston debut, throwing a perfect 7th, and hitting Andrew McCutchen to lead off the 8th before getting lifted for Tim Byrdak.
*Carlos Lee led off the scoring with an RBI single to center. Maybe I was a little harsh on Carlos in G115's recap. Yeah, his OPS is still .696, but for August he's hitting .348 with a .952 OPS. So...Carlos: Sorry about that.
*Hunter Pence continued his hot streak with another 3x4 day, collecting two doubles. If that sounds familiar, it's because that was his line yesterday. He is now posting season highs in average (.285), OBP (.330), and SLG (.460).
*And congrats also go to Pence for stealing his career-high 15th base.
*It wouldn't be an Astros game if Chris Johnson didn't have three hits. And one of those was his 6th homer of the season. Pedro Feliz has four.
*Feliz did get a 2-run pinch-hit double, so there's that. But Johnson is out-homering, out RBI-ing, and completely out-hitting Feliz on every level.
*Jason Castro got his first multi-hit game since August 3, going 2x4 with an RBI. It's his first RBI since August 4. Since July 1, Castro has 5RBI.
*After getting four hits against Atlanta (and Milwaukee, for that matter), Michael Bourn was held hitless against the Pirates.
*The Astros didn't ground into a double play again - the eighth straight game without a GIDP.
*Pitch Count Hero: Michael Bourn (0x4, BB) - 24 pitches in five PAs.
*Pitch Count Punk: Angel Sanchez (1x5) - 11 pitches in five PAs.
*Man of the Match: This one's going to Hunter Pence.
*Goat of the Game: Michael Bourn, sorry man. Gotta get on base better than that.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
