INSIDE PITCH

Posted on 2012 under Astros | Comments are off

17 May

Astros right-hander Bud Norris had so many people he wanted to thank. His catcher, Jason Castro, for calling the game. His teammates filling the Nos. 1-8 spots in the batting order for their lavish offensive support. His manager, coaches and training staff for the things they do. "It's a team effort," Norris said after an 8-3 victory against the Brewers on Wednesday night that snapped a four-game Houston losing streak. The Astros turn into a dream team when Norris takes the mound, winning seven of his eight starts. On Wednesday, they ended a streak of nine games in which they had scored three or fewer runs. They scored two in the second inning, three in the third and two in the fourth against old nemesis Randy Wolf, allowing Norris to lock into cruise control. Norris won his third consecutive May start, allowing one run on four hits while walking two and striking out nine in seven innings. "I just want to keep it going," Norris said. "I'm doing my job to help me win these games, and they swung the bat. When I've got a cushion like that, it's a lot easier to just throw strikes because one mistake isn't going to kill you." Norris has been making precious few mistakes lately. A fourth-inning, solo homer by Corey Hart is the only earned run Norris has allowed in the past 21 innings, as he's lowered his ERA from 5.46 to 3.58. "I'm growing up," Norris said. "I guess I'm getting a little older and a little wiser. It's something I'm going to take into each offseason, try to make some strides in the right direction. I've got a lot of people helping me." Though Norris averaged 8.5 strikeouts per nine innings and posted a solid 3.73 ERA in 31 starts last season, he had to settle for a 6-11 record. Norris is 4-1 this season, and five of the Astros' seven victories in games he has started have followed losses. "He came in saying he wanted to have a different year this year," manager Brad Mills said. "The way he has gone about his business and pitched has gone along those lines."