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McLouth propels Pirates past Astros

Jul 9, 2008 - 6:10 AM By Brad Everett PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- For anybody who questioned why Nate McLouth was named to the National League All-Star team for the first time on Sunday, the Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder has quieted his doubters rather quickly.

McLouth homered for the second time in as many games and added a two-run single in the eighth inning to rally the Pirates to a 4-3 triumph over the Houston Astros on Tuesday in a game which featured a pair of rain delays lasting a total of 3 hours and 6 minutes.

Adam LaRoche added a solo blast in the eighth for Pittsburgh, which recorded its second consecutive victory in a game which finished just over six hours after it started.

"It was a miserable night until the end there when we came out and won it," McLouth said. "It certainly makes it a lot easier to go home and go to sleep than it would have if we wouldn't have won."

John Grabow (5-2) pitched two scoreless innings for the Pirates to pick up the win, and Damaso Marte pitched the ninth to earn his third save of the season.

"The bullpen came up big again tonight," McLouth said. "They came in and pitched tough and gave us a chance to win."

Carlos Lee belted a two-run homer and Hunter Pence added a solo shot - his 21st of the season - for Houston, which lost for the seventh time in its last eight contests.

Lee finished 2-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to 11 games. Lance Berkman walked four times for the Astros, who drew 10 walks overall.

With his team trailing, 3-1, in the eighth, LaRoche hit a two-out solo home run off Astros reliever Doug Brocail (4-4) to halve the deficit. The Pirates then loaded the bases before McLouth laced a line drive to right field to give the Pirates the lead.

"That's a ballgame we should have we won," Brocail said. "We led the whole (darn) night. The tough thing is, when you blow a lead and blow a save, all the hard work that the guys prior to you went through doesn't amount to anything. That's what (stinks)."

LaRoche went 3-for-4 for the Pirates, who also received two hits apiece from Freddy Sanchez and Jason Bay.

"It was a tough night for everyone, but when you play a game like this, it's always great to come out on top," Pirates manager John Russell said.

Astros starter Brandon Backe pitched three innings, allowing three hits - all singles - while striking out three. He did not return after the first delay, which lasted 2 hours, 39 minutes.

An already weary Houston bullpen was stretched thin once again, using five pitchers. This coming after the Astros used six relievers in a 17-inning loss to Atlanta on Sunday.

"We've had three pretty long days," Astros manager Cecil Cooper said. "It's been a little difficult for us. Sunday was 17 and yesterday was a long ballgame, and then tonight we come back and do it again. It's been a pretty long three days, but tomorrow is a new day, and we'll come out and battle again."

Pirates starter Ian Snell labored, throwing 88 pitches in 3 2/3 innings of work. The righthander allowed one run, four hits and three walks in his first start since June 22 after being placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right elbow injury. He has won just once in his last 14 starts.

"I thought he threw the ball well," Russell said. "A little rusty but he was throwing hard, he was attacking the zone. His pitch count got up and they hit a lot of foul balls off him, but his command was pretty good."