Houston Astros' Bud Norris sharp in rehab start for OKC RedHawks

He'd done his job, flying into Oklahoma City on Saturday morning, keying the RedHawks' 4-3 win over Omaha on Saturday night and reassuring the Houston Astros he should catch a return flight on Sunday morning.

“It was nice seeing some of the guys I haven't since the spring, or a couple of the guys that have been up and down,” Norris said. “Nice to see some friendly faces, the manager and coaches.”

Secure in his big league rotation spot, Norris was in Oklahoma City for a rehab start. In the middle of a solid season with the Astros, sporting a 5-4 record and 4.81 ERA, Norris sprained his left knee a couple weeks back.

After some brief rest, Norris felt he was ready to return. To make sure, he took Saturday's one-day trip to Oklahoma City, using it as a pseudo-business vacation to make sure his body was right.

“I got in last night, just kind of crashed at the hotel, grabbed some dinner and watched the Astros game on TV,” Norris said. “Had a nice little morning to myself, grabbed some breakfast at IHOP and hit up some Best Buy and then got to the ballpark.”

And once he got there, Norris did what was necessary.

Limited to 75 pitches, he gave up two runs in five innings, earning a win for the first place RedHawks and a quick return to the Astros' rotation.