Bullpen does it again, and the Astros lose to the Mets 6-4.
*The Astros have now lost five of their last six games, and seven of their last nine. They're 1-3 on this current little homestand.
*They're ten games under .500 after 38 games, which is better than last year, when they were ten games under .500 after 26 (8-18), and the Astros are one game ahead of their 2010 pace (13-25 after 38 games).
*The Astros had a 4-0 lead going into the 7th, and were up 4-1 going into the 8th. They have lost an incredible six games when leading at the beginning of the 8th inning (10-6).
*The 4-run blown lead is the largest blown lead of the season.
*Bud Norris pitched well, allowing 5H/4ER, 8K:3BB in 7.1IP, but also gave up 2HR for the second time this season. He had allowed 2HR in his previous five starts (32.2IP).
*With 60K on the season, Norris is 6th in the NL.
*But one of those runs charged to Norris scored on David Wright's 2-run 8th inning homer off of Jeff Fulchino. Fulchino had not allowed a homer since G7 on April 8 against Florida - a span of 15 appearances.
*Wilton Lopez allowed a run for the first time since his return from the DL, and his 4.50 ERA consists of three appearances (out of 12) where he allowed runs. He has, though, allowed four hits in his last 3IP.
*So, the bullpen allowed 3H/2ER (technically 3ER - counting Wright's 2-run homer), in 1.2IP. Still, the bullpen as a whole is now 7-8 with a 5.31 ERA/1.67 WHIP.
*Hunter Pence's 15-game hit streak came to an end with his 0x4 performance. His OPS raised from .799 to .852 in those 15 games. He did, however, draw a walk, so there's an on-base streak still alive at 16 games.
*Carlos Lee was 2x4 and, since returning from injury, is 9x24, hitting .375/.385/.417 (with a .409 BABIP). One of the ABs where Lee did not get a hit was in the bottom of the 9th with Michael Bourn on 3rd base, and Lee grounded out to 3rd to end the game. Citizen Andrew remarked on Twitter: "Carlos fouls 2 straight hanging breaking balls and then grounds out to end the game. ML hitters just don't miss those pitches."
*Chris Johnson had his first multi-hit game since May 3, and two of his last three hits have been doubles.
*Michael Bourn was 2x5, and has had two-hit games in four of his last six games. In the last ten games, he has a 12K:4BB ratio.
*And Humberto Quintero was 0x3. Following a 1x4 game against St. Louis on April 26, Quintero was hitting .308. Following G38, he's now hitting .250.
*In the seven games since the beginning of the Pittsburgh series, Brett Wallace has hit .211/.360/.211 - but with 3K:4BB.
*Man of the Match: I'm going with Bud Norris. Problems with that?
*Goat of the Game: Humberto Quintero. 0x3, and 0x2 w/RISP.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
