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Surging Astros, Pettitte look to keep rolling

Sep 26, 2006 - 2:59 PM Houston (78-78) at Pittsburgh (65-91) 7:05 pm EDT

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) - The Houston Astros have been rolling at the right time, and Andy Pettitte would like to join in.

The Astros, winners of six straight, send Pettitte to the mound in the opening game of a three-game set against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday.

Despite not earning a victory in three September outings, Pettitte (13-13, 4.31 ERA) has only allowed four earned runs in 13 innings for an ERA of 2.57.

Pettitte only faced the Pirates once this season, allowing four runs in six innings of a 7-4 triumph on August 26.

Pittsburgh counters with Ian Snell (14-10, 4.67), who has been very solid in his last two starts, going 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA.

Snell shut down the Los Angeles Dodgers in his last outing, allowing one run in six innings of a 10-6 triumph last Tuesday.

Jason Lane hit his 15th homer to help the Astros defeat the Philadelphia Phillies, 5-4, on Monday. Houston climbed to 2 1/2 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central.

The Astros are four games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the wild card standings.