The Astros were able to pull of their first home sweep of the year on Wednesday night, as J.A. Happ and his mates handily shut out the Pirates 2-0. Using a new format that we shamelessly stole from our friends over at View from the Bleachers, let's take a peek at the good, the bad, and the analysis.
What went right
- Happ showed that his time in Oklahoma City was well-spent, as he threw 7 strong innings on 110 pitches, allowing just 3 hits and one walk, no runs and 6 strikeouts. He effectively mixed up his pitches, and more importantly, he hit his spots and changed locations with ease. Happ started the game by striking out guys, and ended the outing by getting them to fly out. When all your pitches are working and are being thrown to the right place, you'll get outs in a variety of ways.
- Fernando Rodriguez and Mark Melancon were able to close the door on the Buccos in the 8th and 9th. Rodriguez didn't have to throw many pitches, as Josh Harrison quickly bunted to get on, but was later erased by an ugly-looking 6-4-3 double play. Melancon struck out Ryan Doumit to end the game, bringing the Pirates' total strikeout number to 34 in the three-game series. No Pittsburgh player reached second base in the contest.
- The 'Stros were able to capitalize on the Pirates' mistakes in the 4th inning (none of which were the fault of Pittsburgh starter James McDonald), providing the only two runs of the game. Jimmy Paredes walked and advanced to third after an Angel Sanchez single. Humberto Quintero topped a grounder to Doumit, who threw him out at first. Paredes, noticing that no one was covering the dish, raced home, slid in safely, and induced a wild throw from Pittsburgh first baseman Garrett Jones, allowing Sanchez to get all the way to third. After Happ walked, Jordan Schafer laid down a drag bunt to score Sanchez.
What went wrong
- Honestly, nothing. I didn't necessarily agree with Brad Mills' move to pull out Happ (I thought he could have gone one more inning, though I've been accused of buying too much into the Nolan Ryan 120-pitches-or-more philosophy). All's well that ends well though, and Mills looked pretty smart after Rodriguez pitched a quick little inning with no damage.
What we learned
- Happ still has the potential to be a mainstay in this rotation. I know, I know, some of you will accuse me of taking too much from just one start, but let's face it, the guy has talent. He's pitched 13 innings in his last two starts, and allowed just one earned run. He's got a decent curveball, and if he's able to mix his pitches and locations as effectively as he did tonight, he'll surely be in the middle of the rotation in 2012.
- The small-ball mentality will probably have to carry into next season if the Astros want to win any games. Everyone and their mom knows that this team doesn't have power, but does have a lot of speed. If Mills and Co. can teach the kids to bunt, the strategy could be to load everybody up for J.D. Martinez, and let him swing away. Ozzie Guillen has been preaching the little things to his guys in Chicago for years now, so if he get's fired...anyone up for him skippering the club?
The Astros open a three-game set against the Brewers tomorrow at Minute Maid Park. God bless us, every one.
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