Astros reliever David Carpenter recorded his first career big league save Sunday in Houston's 4-3 victory over the San Francisco Giants in 11 innings by demonstrating exceptional resiliency after hitting Aubrey Huff with the first pitch in the bottom of the 11th.
Huff advanced to second on former Astros shortstop Miguel Tejada's sacrifice bunt, but Carpenter bounced back to strike out pinch-hitter Aaron Rowand and retired Mike Fontenot on a grounder to second to end the game and secure a split in the four-game series for Houston against the defending World Series champions.
The 26-year-old Carpenter admits he couldn't have planned it better, despite having to work around hitting Huff right off the bat.
"It was huge," Carpenter said. "It was everything I hoped for in front of a big crowd like that. They are big baseball fans. They really support their team. To come in here and be able to split the series against the defending world champs, that's always a plus, especially with the way each game was played. Guys were battling their butts off at the plate, on the mound and in the field.
"I ended up hooking the ball and I caught Aubrey [Huff] with it. I just got a little too excited. The ball started to slip out of my hand and I just tried to continue on with it. Luckily, I was able to work out of it with a lot of help from the guys. I was able to battle, get out of it and we came away with the victory. It was just a real good series as far as how the game of baseball is played.
Astros right-hander Bud Norris, a native of Greenbrae, Calif., allowed just two earned runs on three hits with one walk and 10 strikeouts over seven innings in what turned out to be a successful homecoming in his first career big league start in the Bay Area.
Norris earned a tough no-decision, but did his job to keep the Astros within striking distance before turning the ball over to the bullpen.
Mark Melancon (7-4) earned the victory by tossing an inning of relief.
Manager Brad Mills called upon Carpenter, who stepped up and showed a strong sense of maturity as a rookie by rising to the challenge.
"I was trying to get strike one and trying to get guys that way," Carpenter said. "I wanted to put the pressure on them and not so much myself. Bud pitched well and kept us in the ballgame. We really battled, showed strong resiliency and never gave up."
Carpenter, who was acquired by the Astros last season from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for veteran Pedro Feliz, is 0-2 with a 2.81 ERA in 23 relief appearances for Houston this season since being recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on June 29.
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