Both teams hit home runs, but the Astros had one more person on base than the Dodgers on their dinger, leading to a 3-2 Houston win in the opening game of a three-game series at Minute Maid Park. It was the Dodgers' sixth straight loss.
Andre Ethier hit a shot to left center, off the facing of the wall but above and to the right of the yellow line for a two-run home run in the first inning, for the Dodgers' first lead since Saturday. It was Ethier's first home run since August 25, against Milwaukee. Ethier also walked three times tonight.
Ted Lilly didn't give up a run in the first five innings, but with two men on in the sixth inning Chris Johnson crushed a pitch into the railroad tracks in left field, giving the Astros a 3-2 lead. This was Lilly's seventh quality start in eight starts as a Dodger.
Kenley Jansen pitched a perfect eighth inning, striking out two more batters. Every time Jansen has faced three or more batters in an appearance, he has struck out at least one batter.
There were a few firsts tonight for the Dodgers:
- John Lindsey made his first major league at-bat tonight, flying out to right center field in the seventh inning off left-hander Gustavo Chacin.
- A.J. Ellis threw out Jason Bourgeois at second base, the first time a Dodger catcher has thrown out a base stealer since July 23. Runners had stolen 40 straight bases off Dodger catchers, including 31 straight since Russell Martin got hurt on August 3.
Hiroki Kuroda starts Friday for the Dodgers, against the lefty J.A. Happ.
WP - Bud Norris (7-8): 6 IP, 3 hits, 2 runs (1 earned), 4 walks, 7 strikeouts
LP - Ted Lilly (8-10): 6 IP, 7 hits, 3 runs, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts
Sv - Brandon Lyon (14): 3 up, 3 down