Catcher J.R. Towles was called up and started at the major league level Sunday for the first time since May 9. Towles spent much of the year on the disabled list at Class AAA Round Rock and was used very sparingly in his initial call-up in late April and early May. He entered as a pinch-runner Saturday and got the start, pairing with mid-season call-up Bud Norris Sunday and going 0-for-3 at the plate with a walk and two strikeouts. The 25-year-old struggled in his time in the big leagues in 2008 and didn't play with enough regularity to get into a rhythm in 2009.
"I just want him to establish consistency, but he didn't do a bad job when he was here before," manager Cecil Cooper said. "His problem is more offensive. That was the main point of the struggles he had. Defensively, he didn't have a lot of issues."
Towles will share duties with Humberto Quintero and Chris Coste and hopes to play as much as he can in the platoon.
"Every day you want to go out there and get better at something, whether it's hitting or catching," Towles said. "I always want to keep my defensive game and call a good game and do well for the pitcher, but I'm also trying to get the bat going when I get the opportunity."
ASTROS 4, PHILLIES 3: Miguel Tejada went 4-for-4 with an RBI double in a three-run fifth as Bud Norris bounced back from three straight losses to give the Astros their third straight win.
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