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Pirates-Astros Preview

Sep 12, 2009 - 6:17 AM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Writer

Pittsburgh (54-84) at Houston (68-72), 7:05 p.m. EDT

The Houston Astros won't be making another late run at the NL wild card, but they're proving lately they're a formidable club at Minute Maid Park.

Then again, hosting the Pittsburgh Pirates isn't exactly a challenging task these days.

The Astros will try to make it 11 wins in their past 14 home games Saturday night against the Pirates, who will look to avoid a 13th straight loss on the road.

Houston (69-72) made a late push for the postseason last September, but it doesn't look like a similar surge will be possible in 2009 as manager Cecil Cooper's club is 12 1/2 games behind Colorado in the wild-card standings.

That hasn't stopped the Astros from playing well at home recently. Houston has won six of eight with two games left on a 10-game homestand, and 10 of 13 overall at Minute Maid Park.

Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee homered Friday in a 9-1 victory over the Pirates (54-85), securing the Astros' ninth straight winning season at home with their first victory in a week that came by more than one run.

"I don't remember too many times in recent memory that we felt really comfortable going into the eighth or ninth innings," said Berkman, who's hitting .333 with two homers and nine RBIs this season versus Pittsburgh. "That's always nice to play games like that."

Berkman is 6 for 11 with a homer and five RBIs in his career against Ross Ohlendorf (11-9, 3.97 ERA), who will get the start for the Pirates.

Ohlendorf has been Pittsburgh's best starter in the second half, going 4-2 with a 2.70 ERA, but he has his work cut out for him Saturday. The Pirates have lost 22 of 23 on the road, and their current 12-game skid is their longest since dropping 19 straight July 23-Aug. 29, 1985.

Ohlendorf is 0-4 with an 8.53 ERA in four lifetime starts against Houston - Miguel Tejada is 9 for 13 against him - but the right-hander is coming off arguably the best start of his career. Ohlendorf gave up one unearned run and four hits over a career-high eight innings Saturday against St. Louis - striking out 11 - in a 2-1, 10-inning loss.

He also became the second pitcher in team history to strike out the side on nine pitches, doing so in the seventh inning.

"Each outing he's pitched, whether it was a good outing or a shaky outing, we saw improvement," manager John Russell told the Pirates' official Web site. "He's continued to grow and has just taken off. ... He's really fun to watch."

Brian Moehler (8-10, 5.10) will get the ball for the Astros, who have won three of his last four starts. Moehler gave up three runs and five hits - two homers - over 5 2-3 innings Monday against Philadelphia, leaving without a decision in the Astros' 4-3 win.

Moehler, who's 3-6 with a 6.03 ERA at home, is 1-2 with a 5.09 ERA in three starts against Pittsburgh this season. His victory came May 29 at PNC Park, when he tossed a complete game in a 6-1 victory.