Astros Starter Bud Norris Deserved Better Than a No Decision Today

Houston Astros starting pitcher Bud Norris has talent. He has pitched some good games over his four years in Houston and finished last season with a 3.77 ERA over 186 innings.

But the 27-year-old right hander has a sub .500 career record because he has the bad luck of playing for an Astros team who isn't very good.

In seven of his last eight starts, including today's 5-3 loss to the Reds, Norris has given the Astros six or more innings and four or fewer runs. His record for those seven games? No wins and two losses. He also lost an August 15 game at Wrigley where he did not last four innings.

Today he threw six shutout innings and gave up three hits and one walk to one of the best teams in baseball. And he got a no decision for his efforts.

He left the game with a 1-0 lead, but the bullpen imploded after a five run lead gave Cincinnati the lead that they would not relinquish.

So once again the Astros lost a series. And in the big picture it does not matter. The Reds are making the playoffs and clinched a winning record today. The Astros will be going home and at 41-93, they are already the eighth worst team in franchise history.

In fact, the Cincinnati Reds have won more games in Houston since the All Star break than the Astros have. The Reds swept the Astros in the first home series after the break and took two of three this weekend.

That would be five Cincinnati wins in Houston. The Astros have won four at home in that same stretch of time.

But don't blame Bud Norris. He did his job. And there's no doubt he is jealous of his former teammates who were traded off to contenders.