chris johnson gs


3 hr 10 rbi last 3 games o.o

Astros proving everyone wrong

Astros win 1-0 over the Pirates on the road. Improve to 15-17 on the season (only 2 under .500)

Bud Norris got the win and Brett Myers picks up the save. A Jason Maxwell double play with runners on the corners and no outs in the top of the 2nd brought home the only run. Bud Norris had 8 strikeouts and only three hits allowed in six strong innings. He got out of a huge bases loaded and no outs jam in the bottom of the 6th. Striking out Tabata, getting McLouth to pop up in the infield and striking out the ever dangerous McCutchen.

The bullpen nailed it down after he left the game; Wesley Wright, Wilton Lopaz and Brett Myers were all solid tonight. Just one of those games but I'm glad the Astros won. They may flirt with .500 all year long. And they've got a lot more young talent on the way up and also the first overall pick in this year's draft which is quickly approaching on June 4.

go 'Stros

Bud Norris is 3-1 on the season with a 3.95 ERA. The Astros have won six of his seven starts this year. His only bad start of the season was the loss at Milwaukee when he gave up seven earned runs. Also Brett Myers has looked amazing as a closer this year - 9 for 9 in saves with a 0.77 ERA. He's been unhittable in 2012. Possibly a good trade candidate at the trading deadline? He's in the final year of his contract and a lot of contending teams need a reliable closer.

very true, great candidate with all these injuries. wouldn't be surprised if someone like the Blue Jays were interested

Also Wandy Rodriguez may have some value at the trading deadline but he struggled in his last start versus Miami. His ERA is still pretty good though.

I was pretty disappointed with J.A. Happ's performance last night during the 5-2 loss. Happ gave up 5 earned runs and two home runs in only 5 innings pitched. He continues to struggle and it's getting to the point where I just want to see him demoted or released.

I want to see one or both of the Astros' young pitching studs from the minors called up - Jarred Cosart and Paul Clemens would make happy. Those two guys are the future of our starting rotation, along with Bud Norris and Stanford's Mark Appel, who I expext the Astros to draft number one overall in the 2012 draft on June 4 (only a few weeks away now).

The rubber game of this three-game series (Wandy Rodriguez versus A.J. Burnett) and there's a 25-minute rain delay. The game is finally starting. I want to see the Astros get back to two games under .500 with a nice 2-1 series win on the road. Beat the Buccos today!

Damn, Wandy Rodriguex is struggling again! Back-to-back doubles (RBI for McCutchen). 1-0 Pirates already.

Two bad starts in a row for Wandy if he doesn't get it together today. The last thing I want to see is his potential trade value go down before the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline. The one veteran we have with excellent trade value right now is closer Brett Myers. He's been arguably the best closer in the game so far this year.