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Astros turn to untested Sampson to keep playoff hopes alive

Oct 1, 2006 - 4:10 PM Houston (82-79) at Atlanta (78-83) 1:05 pm EDT

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- The Houston Astros are putting the ball in the hands of an untested youngster in their most important game of the season.

Houston, which moved Andy Pettitte up to start Saturday's game, sends Chris Sampson to the hill in the season finale against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday.

The Astros, who are 9-1 in their last 10 games, trail the first-place St. Louis Cardinals by 1 1/2 games in the National League Central. Houston must win and hope St. Louis loses to the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday to stay alive.

If that transpires, the Cardinals will have to play a makeup game against the San Francisco Giants on Monday. If the Giants beat the Cardinals, Houston and St. Louis will have a one-game playoff on Tuesday.

Sampson (2-0, 2.10 ERA) makes only his third career start. The righthander's previous start was on Monday against the Philadelphia Phillies. He pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings in the outing, allowing three hits and striking out three.

In his last five appearances, Sampson has not allowed a run in 11 2/3 innings.

The Braves counter with John Smoltz (15-9, 3.58), a mainstay of Atlanta's string of 14 straight division crowns.

Smoltz has made 35 career starts against the Astros, going 15-13 with a 3.05 ERA.

Pettitte allowed only one run and four hits in seven innings Saturday as the Astros defeated the Braves, 5-4, to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. Lance Berkman hit his 45th homer and Aubrey Huff added his 21st for Houston.

The Astros finished 89-73 last season en route to the NL wild card while the Braves went 90-72.