Bud Norris (5-5, 3.43) vs Aaron Harang (2-6, 6.70)
Aaron Harang? Really?? Once upon a time, the Houston Astros used to own Harang with regularity. Once upon a time, Aaron Harang actually used to be considered good. Long gone now are those halcyon days, and that only makes a game like tonight's sting that much more. Harang held the Astros to two hits over a complete game, the defense was awful again, and another quality start from Bud Norris was wasted - Houston falls tonight to the Mariners 4-0. The latest losing streak is now at six, and they're 22-43 overall.
On the Mound:
*Bud Norris allowed three runs over seven innings, but that doesn't tell the whole story. An Astros error in each of the first two innings (Cedeno, Crowe) contributed to a run scoring in each frame, accounting for two thirds of Seattle's offense against Bud. His latest tough luck line: 7 IP / 5 H / 3 R / 3 ER / 1 BB / 6 K.
*Wesley Wright, why not? Allowed a double, a single, and another run in his one inning of work.
At the Plate:
*J.D. Martinez singled in the 2nd, and singled again in the 8th to finish 2 for 3 with a K. That was it for the Astros' Arctic offense against Harang.
Turning Point:
Endy Chavez led off the Mariners' 1st with a double to right field, then advanced to third when Ronny Cedeno couldn't handle the throw from Trevor Crowe. A popup and a K later, Bud was almost out of the inning, but a wild pitch with Raul Ibanez batting let Chavez score. Houston never got a runner as far as 2nd base, so that one blunder sealed the game for Seattle.
Man of the Match:
Bud Norris. Maybe at least the Giants liked what they saw tonight.
Goat of the Game:
Every Astros Hitter Not Named J.D. Martinez. Freakin' awful performance against a very beatable opponent.
