Astros party like it’s 1999

On Flashback Friday the Astros donned their blue and gold uniforms that were last worn back in 1999. The vintage unis seemed to have a magical effect as the Astros rallied for a comeback win over the Milwaukee Brewers. Brian Bogusevic‘s walk-off single snapped a five game losing streak and an on-field celebration ensued. It was the first time this season the Astros won a game in walk-off fashion.

When Bud Norris left the game trailing 3-1 after seven innings it looked like another excellent outing by an Astros starter would go for naught. Norris struck out seven, didn’t walk a batter, and one of the Brewers runs was unearned. Norris fanned both Carlos Gomez and Nyjer Morgan to start the game, but Morgan was able to reach base on Carlos Corporan’s error. The Astros catcher did a nice job blocking the pitch but was unable to pick up the ball in time to get Morgan at first. Astro-killer Ryan Braun followed with a double into the leftfield corner scoring Morgan and just like that the Brewers had the lead.

Norris was on top of his game. Milwaukee  hitters were having trouble identifying his late-breaking slider and continually chased pitches that were virtually unreachable. The Astros were also having trouble solving 26 year-old rookie right-hander Mark Rogers. Scott Moore provided Houston’s first hit of the game with a bunt single in the fifth inning. After a line drive single by Brian Bogusevic, Carlos Corporan made up for his error by delivering an RBI single to centerfield.

Rogers left the game after seven innings having thrown a career high 109 pitches. Francisco Rodriguez came out of the Brewers bullpen to try and protect a 3-1 lead and get Rogers his first big league win. But nothing has come easy for Milwaukee relievers this season. Coming into the game the Brewers bullpen had more losses, 26, and a higher ERA, 4.82, than even the Astros relief corps.

Corporan led off the inning against Rodriguez with a tremendous at-bat. After fouling off everything K-Rod had to offer Corporan turned on a fastball, lining it over the wall in the rightfield corner. Corporan circled the bases at top speed in what must have been an homage to Usain Bolt or a jab to Brewers outfielder Carlos Gomez. Either way, it was very entertaining to watch and had to bring smiles to the Astros dugout.

F-Rod escaped the eighth with no further damage and the Brewers brought in their recently deposed closer John Axford to try for a save in the ninth. Axford walked Brett Wallace to start the inning and Tyler Greene made his Astros debut, pinch-running for Wallace. Greene got a chance to show his wheels when Axford bounced a wild pitch that caromed all the way to the screen in front of the Astros dugout. Greene was attempting to steal on the pitch and slid safely into second. As Astros players frantically motioned for him to keep running, Greene sprang to his feet and continued to third base.

Steve Pearce bounced a single up the middle to tie the score and alertly advanced to second base when Carlos Gomez momentarily bobbled the baseball. Pearce tagged up and took third base on a long fly ball to center by Scott Moore and the stage was set for Bogusevic. Brian delivered a seeing-eye single through the drawn-in infield and the comeback was complete. Astros 4 Brewers 3