Bud Norris (5-3, 4.65) vs Madison Bumgarner (7-4, 3.26)
The Astros kicked off their series against the Giants facing a very tough pitcher in Madison Bumgarner, and the game was never really in question as the Giants beat the Astros 6-3, dropping the Astros to 26-35 on the season.
*Bud Norris wasn't having a great outing, but it became much worse when he left in the 4th inning with what is now being called a sprained knee. Prior to leaving he had a line of 3.1 IP / 3 H / 3 ER / 3 BB / 5 K. Carpenter, Lyon and Wright combined to finish off the game. Norris was saddled with the loss in his short outing and drops to 5-4 on the season.
Observations:
*Bumgarner struck out 12 Astros in his outing tonight. The 'Stros struck out a total of 13 times in the game. The victims and their number of strikeouts: Maxwell (3), Lowrie (3), Castro (2), Altuve/Bixler/Martinez/Johnson/Downs (1 each).
*Brian Bixler had a very nice game in RF, going 2 for 4 with a double and 2 RBI, and a SB.
*The Astros were a decent 2 for 7 with runners in scoring position. It is just getting runners into scoring position that has been the problem.
*The Astros only walked once.
*The 13/1 K/BB ratio is hard to swallow. The team isn't patient and isn't putting the ball in play like they were at the start of the year.
*Castro drove in the only other run of the night for the Astros.
*All 3 Astros runs came with 2 outs.
*The Astros were busy on the basepaths, as CJ, Altuve and Bixler all swiped bags.
Turning Point:
The Giants 2 run 4th was the dagger.
Man of the Match:
Brian Bixler was a lone shining star on offense.
Goat of the Game:
Justin Maxwell had a rough game at the plate.
