Astros 7, Reds 2; Harang's short night

I was curious why Jerry Narron took out Aaron Harang after six innings. Harang was at 101 pitches. That's not a ton for Harang. He was a bit sick before his last start.

If the bullpen -- Todd Coffey and Rheal Cormier -- hadn't given up six runs, it wouldn't be a big deal. My guess was Harang was still feeling the affects of the flu, although he didn't pitch like it. He allowed three hits, two walks and struck out eight. He retired eight of the last nine hitters he faced.

But Harang wasn't ill.

“Just the situation of the ballgame dictated it,” Narron said, “101 pitches in six innings, early in the year.”

Harang did not seem upset by the decision.

“I worked hard in those innings I got in the jams,” he said. “Mentally, it takes a lot out of you.”

Harang really only had one tough inning -- the fourth when he threw 30 pitches.