Topic: Brandon Lyon

Brandon James Lyon (born August 10, 1979 in Salt Lake City, Utah) is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Houston Astros. He throws a 4-seam fastball, 12-6 curveball, slider, and changeup.

Lyon made his major league debut halfway through the 2001 season, posting a respectable 5-4 record for the Toronto Blue Jays, with a 4.29 ERA from 11 starts. He was the second youngest winning pitcher in Blue Jays' history after winning on debut (2-1 over Baltimore).

2002, however, was a different story. Lyon started the season as a starter for the Jays, but lost three of his first four decisions of the season, including a career-high 7 earned runs against the Yankees on April 10, and against the Angels on May 3. Three weeks later, Lyon was kicked from the rotation, and placed in the bullpen. He made his debut in this role at the Skydome, against Boston, pitching 3 1/3 innings. In five games of relief, Lyon had no decisions against him with a 5.19 ERA.