HOUSTON, May 8 (UPI) -- Bud Norris became the latest pitcher to handcuff Los Angeles Wednesday, allowing a lone run in eight innings to bring Houston a 3-1 win over the Angels.
Los Angeles, expected to be one of the most powerful teams in the majors this season, ranks eighth in the American League in runs scored and the Angels lost their fourth in a row Wednesday to a team that became the last one in baseball to reach 10 wins for the season.
Norris (4-3) gave up nine hits, but walked only one and took a 3-0 led into the seventh. The only Los Angeles run came on a homer by Josh Hamilton, a high-profile, free-agent signing during the off-season who is batting just .202. It was his third home run of the campaign.
Marwin Gonzalez Jimmy Paredes both had an RBI double in the third to put Houston in front and the Astros came up with a home run from Chris Carter in the fifth.
Jose Veras struck out one in a perfect ninth for his fourth save. The loss went to Joe Blanton, who gave up three runs on eight hits in 6 2/3.
