Paulino: His best effort to date.
(c) Associated Press
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Felipe Paulino came off the Disabled List Saturday night and looked determined not to leave the starting rotation. He mowed down nine Detroit Tigers over seven innings while allowing just three hits in an 8-1 laugher.
The other eight men in the lineup contributed in the 13-hit attack led by Michael Bourn's three hits and Kaz Matsui's two-run homer. Carlos Lee and Lance Berkman also had two hits each as rookie Alfredo Figaro struggled in his second big league start. After scratching solo tallies in the first two innings, the Astros bulked up for five runs in the third to coast to the victory.
Paulino, meanwhile, was dominating. He popped the mitt in the high 90s, had his breaking ball working and did not issue a walk. It will make Cecil Cooper's decision difficult on who to bump from the rotation when Mike Hampton comes off the Disabled List on Tuesday.
After the game, the Astros announced that infielder Geoff Blum would be activated from the Disabled List Sunday and infielder Edwin Maysonet would be sent back to AAA Round Rock despite a batting average over .300 during his time with the parent club.
Russ Ortiz (3-3) will try to keep the momentum of a three-game winning streak going Sunday in the 1:05 Central matinee as he pitches against Detroit's Edwin Jackson (6-4) who carries a 2.40 ERA into the game.
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