Final
Norris hopes to salvage finale in Colorado
May 31, 2012 - 2:43 PMVideo
Norris has been terrific this month, going 4-0 with a major league-best 1.17 earned run average. He's only allowed four earned runs in his last six starts and three of them came his last time out on Saturday in Los Angeles, as the Dodgers reached him for three runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings.
The 27-year-old righty, who became the first Astros starter to not last five innings since April 13, escaped with a no-decision in that one and is 5-1 on the year with a 3.34 ERA. He hasn't lost since surrendering seven runs in Milwaukee back on April 24.
Norris has faced the Rockies twice, but has pitched to a 4.50 ERA against them without recording a decision.
Colorado will counter with righty Jeremy Guthrie, who is 2-3 with a 5.31 ERA. Guthrie allowed six runs for the second straight start on Saturday in a loss against Cincinnati, although only two were earned.
He beat the Astros back on April 6, yielding three runs and four hits in seven innings.
Colorado beat the Astros for the third straight time on Wednesday, as Carlos Gonzalez smacked three of the Rockies' three home runs in a 13-5 win.
"He's in a different place right now," Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. "He's in a place where you never thought you'd see him be. He's stepping to just another level."
Michael Cuddyer hit his second grand slam of the season in the first inning. Dexter Fowler added a three-run homer for the Rockies, who have won five of their last seven.
Despite allowing five runs on 11 hits in six innings, Christian Friedrich (3-1) picked up the win for Colorado.
"His only mulligan was in the third inning when he started getting behind in the count," Tracy said. "When you get yourself in that position, [hitters] become a lot more [selective]. I really like the way he rebounded."
Lucas Harrell (4-4) struggled for the Astros, surrendering nine runs in five- plus innings, and giving up 10 hits and three walks.
"We allowed five home runs with the first one being a grand slam," Astros manager Brad Mills said. "We battled back, we got some hits, but they got five homers."
Houston has now lost six in a row at Coors Field, its longest skid in Denver since dropping all seven at Mile High Stadium to the expansion Rockies in 1993.
- HOUSTON: 5
COLORADO: 11
Final
May 31 11:39 PM - Carlos Lee double play to short scored Jordan Schafer. Jed Lowrie out at second Jose Altuve advances to third. Runner on third with two outs and Chris Johnson due up.
Astros 5, Rockies 11 Top 7, 2 OutsMay 31 10:57 PM - Marco Scutaro lead-off Home Run (2) to left. Carlos Gonzalez due up.
Astros 4, Rockies 11 Bot 6, 0 OutsMay 31 10:37 PM - Todd Helton grounded into a double play, third to second to first. On the play, Michael Cuddyer out at second. None on with two outs and Wilin Rosario due up.
Astros 4, Rockies 10 Bot 4, 2 OutsMay 31 10:13 PM - Jose Altuve single to right scored Justin Maxwell with two out. Runner on first with two outs and Jed Lowrie due up.
Astros 4, Rockies 9 Top 4, 2 OutsMay 31 10:03 PM - Pinch-Hitter Justin Maxwell double to right scored Jason Castro with one out. Runner on second with one out and Jordan Schafer due up.
Astros 3, Rockies 9 Top 4, 1 OutMay 31 10:00 PM - Jason Castro triple to right center scored Brian Bogusevic with one out. Runner on third with one out and Rhiner Cruz due up.
Astros 2, Rockies 9 Top 4, 1 OutMay 31 9:59 PM - Jordan Pacheco single to center scored Wilin Rosario with two out. Runner on second with two outs and DJ LeMahieu due up.
Astros 1, Rockies 9 Bot 2, 2 OutsMay 31 9:36 PM - Wilin Rosario single to right scored Michael Cuddyer with two out. Runner on first with two outs and Jordan Pacheco due up.
Astros 1, Rockies 8 Bot 2, 2 OutsMay 31 9:29 PM - Michael Cuddyer double to right center scored Dexter Fowler and Carlos Gonzalez with one out. Runner on second with one out and Todd Helton due up.
Astros 1, Rockies 7 Bot 2, 1 OutMay 31 9:25 PM - J.D. Martinez one-out, solo Home Run (5) to right. Jason Castro due up.
Astros 1, Rockies 5 Top 2, 1 OutMay 31 9:11 PM - Jordan Pacheco ground-rule double to center scored Todd Helton with one out. Runner on second with one out and DJ LeMahieu due up.
Astros 0, Rockies 5 Bot 1, 1 OutMay 31 9:01 PM - Todd Helton double to left center scored Michael Cuddyer with none out. Runner on second with none out and Wilin Rosario due up.
Astros 0, Rockies 4 Bot 1, 0 OutsMay 31 8:56 PM - Carlos Gonzalez none-out, three-run Home Run (14) to left scored Dexter Fowler and Marco Scutaro. Michael Cuddyer due up.
Astros 0, Rockies 3 Bot 1, 0 OutsMay 31 8:54 PM - HOUSTON: 0
COLORADO: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
May 31 8:39 PM
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