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Pirates-Astros Preview

Aug 13, 2010 - 3:34 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Pittsburgh (39-74) at Houston (48-65), 8:05 p.m. EDT

Brett Myers has been the most consistent pitcher in the Houston Astros' starting rotation this season. He's also pitched consistently well against the Pittsburgh Pirates of late.

Looking to win a fourth straight start against the Pirates, Myers tries to help the Astros to a seventh consecutive home victory over their NL Central foe Friday night.

Myers (8-7, 3.21 ERA) extended his franchise record for consecutive starts of at least six innings to open a season to 23 when he allowed four runs in six innings of a 5-2 loss at Milwaukee on Saturday. The last pitcher to begin a season with at least 23 starts of six innings or more was Curt Schilling, who had 35 straight with Arizona in 2002.

"I say it every time, he's been unbelievable all year long," Astros manager Brad Mills said of Myers, 3-1 with a 2.36 ERA in his last seven starts.

The right-hander has been even better versus Pittsburgh (39-75) of late, posting a 2.11 ERA while winning his last three starts. He is 2-0 with a 2.63 ERA against the Pirates this season.

Though the Astros (48-65) have lost six of seven overall, Myers gives them a good chance to improve to 7-0 at home against the Pirates. Houston has outscored Pittsburgh 33-13 at Minute Maid Park this season.

Houston rookie Chris Johnson is 3 for 21 against the Pirates this year, but is batting .441 with a homer and 12 RBIs in his last nine games. The third baseman is hitting .361 with five home runs and 33 RBIs in 48 games this season.

"This is a lot of fun," Johnson told the Astros' official website. "I look forward to coming here every day. Whether I'm doing good or doing bad, I'm going to look forward to it."

Though Hunter Pence went 2 for 10 while the Astros lost two of three to Atlanta this week, he is 12 for 30 with two home runs and six RBIs against the Pirates in 2010. He is 6 for 16 against scheduled starter Ross Ohlendrof (1-9, 4.23).

Ohlendorf is 0-6 with a 7.49 ERA in seven starts against Houston, including 0-1 with a 6.48 ERA in two this season.

Though the right-hander has not won since July 2, he has a 2.55 ERA over his last four starts. He allowed two runs and struck out six in six innings of an 8-7, 10-inning win over Colorado on Saturday.

Pittsburgh looks to avoid a fifth straight loss overall and eighth in a row on the road after being swept at San Diego. Ryan Doumit had two of the Pirates' four hits in a 3-0 loss to the NL West-leading Padres on Thursday.

Doumit, 4 for 12 in four games since coming off the disabled list while recovering from a concussion, is 11 for 24 against the Astros this season.

To have success this weekend, Pittsburgh likely will need leadoff hitter Andrew McCutchen to get back on track after he went 0 for 10 against the Padres. McCutchen is 4 for 7 with a double against Myers.