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Pirates-Astros Preview

Jul 5, 2010 - 5:07 PM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Pittsburgh (30-52) at Houston (32-51), 8:05 p.m. EDT

There have been few bright spots for the Houston Astros. They would only take so much solace from continuing their success at home against the last-place Pittsburgh Pirates.

In a matchup of two of the majors' worst teams, the Astros hope to extend the Pirates' misery at Minute Maid Park as the clubs open a three-game set Tuesday night.

This has been a dismal season for Houston (32-51), on pace to finish with the worst record in franchise history. The Astros are in fifth place in the NL Central, 1 1/2 games ahead of the Pirates (30-52).

Houston, though, has been respectable in division play, going 15-12. That includes a three-game sweep of visiting Pittsburgh from April 23-25.

The Astros have won 13 of 16 at home against the Pirates. Pittsburgh has scored only 13 runs in their last seven games at Minute Maid Park.

Wandy Rodriguez (5-10, 5.30 ERA), who will open this series for Houston, earned a win over Pittsburgh on April 24, surrendering two runs while striking out seven in 7 1-3 innings of a 5-2 victory. The Astros have won all five starts Rodriguez has made against the Pirates in Houston - he's gone 3-0 with a 3.26 ERA.

The veteran left-hander has a 0.69 ERA en route to winning his last two starts. He lost six of his previous seven decisions.

Houston is coming off a four-game set at San Diego in which its starters surrendered three earned runs in 25 2-3 innings, but the Astros still lost the final three contests. They dropped the series finale 3-2 on Sunday.

Center fielder Michael Bourn, Houston's only All-Star, is expected back in the lineup after getting a day off. Bourn leads the NL with 25 stolen bases.

"I couldn't be happier for him or more proud of him," right fielder Hunter Pence told the Astros' official website. "At the top of the lineup when he's on base, he just kind of has a knack for scoring a lot of runs, and giving us a boost."

Pittsburgh's only All-Star is reliever Evan Meek, who is 4-2 with a 0.96 ERA in 38 appearances, striking out 42 in 47 innings. He's the first Pittsburgh reliever who wasn't a closer to make the All-Star game since Mace Brown in 1938.

Meek earned a win Sunday, tossing a perfect seventh as Pittsburgh beat Philadelphia 8-5. The Pirates have won four of five since losing 18 of 20.

"We've got to keep going and keep playing the way we are," rookie third baseman Pedro Alvarez said.

Pittsburgh starters had a 0.92 ERA in six games before surrendering 13 runs in their final two contests versus the Phillies.

Brad Lincoln (1-2, 4.65) next takes the mound for the Pirates. He went to high school in Clute, Texas, approximately 60 miles south of Houston. The rookie right-hander is facing the Astros for the first time.

"It's going to be great not only to be pitching in my hometown, but also to get to see my family and hang out," Lincoln told the Pirates' official website.

Lincoln, the fourth overall pick in the 2006 draft, had the best start of his career Wednesday, earning his first win. He struck out six in seven innings in a 2-0 victory over Chicago.