Astros get two firsts with one win in 4-3 victory over Mets

The Houston Astros have two firsts for this season with a 4-3 victory over the Mets. They secured their first series win of the season and have won back to back games for the first time and improve to 7-11 on the season. This wasn’t as nearly dominating as their victory yesterday but it was a good win none the less. The Astros were able to get the win with some late inning heroics from Hunter Pence who hit a solo shot in the 8th inning to break a 3-3 tie.

The Astros jumped out to an early lead as they scored 3 runs in the second inning behind RBI singles by Bud Norris and Michael Bourn and Brett Wallace got the scoring started as he was able to get home on a wild pitch by R.A. Dickey. The Astros were able to get eight hits tonight and Chris Johnson, Brett Wallace, and Michael Bourn accounting for two hits each. Carlos Lee and J.R. Towles went hitless for the Astros but Towles was able to draw a walk and saw a total of 22 pitches in his three at-bats. It was good to see the Astros have some success against a knuckleball pitcher, who sometimes is a challenge for younger teams.

Bud Norris had a pretty good outing for the Astros going 6.0 innings, giving up the three runs and striking out six and only walking one. He did however give up ten hits and Carlos Beltran continues to have a strong series against his former team as he went 3 for 4 with two doubles and knocking in one run. As an Astros fan, remembering the great run they had with Beltran covering center field for them, it is still tough to see him playing for another team.

The Astros bullpen was able to shut down the Mets after Norris left as Mark Melancon got the win, Jose Valdez got his first hold, and Brandon Lyon had another strong outing getting his fourth save. Since his meltdown in Philly, Lyon has pitched six innings, only giving up five hits and no runs. It is good to see him be able to bounce back from that horrendous outing and see him pitch well.

J.A. Happ will be looking to get the Astros another first this season, a series sweep, as he takes the mound against the Mets’ Chris Capuano in a 7:10 PM (ET) start. It is another good night to be an Astros’ fan.