Final
First-place Pirates resume set in Houston
Jul 16, 2011 - 3:07 PMVideo
Percentage points ahead of St. Louis in the NL Central, the Pirates are in first in the division this late in a season for the first time since 1997 when they were in first on July 17. That year's team finished 79-83, but this time around a young nucleus of talent has the Pirates on top and Paul Maholm could put the Bucs in first place alone tonight against the Houston Astros in the second test of a three-game series from Minute Maid Park.
The 29-year-old Maholm, who has given up one earned run in each of his last two starts -- both wins --, will be on the mound this evening. The lefty held down the Astros over six innings on July 4, and then six days later shut down the Cubs in a 9-1 victory.
Maholm has gone 3-1 with a 1.04 ERA in six starts against National League Central teams this year. He has more career wins (11) against the Astros than any other opponent. His 11-6 mark in 19 games against Houston includes a 1-0 record with a 1.38 ERA this season.
Bud Norris, who is 3-4 with a 3.74 ERA in seven games against the Pirates, counters for Houston. The right-hander is coming off a victory in Pittsburgh on July 6 when he allowed seven hits and two runs in seven innings.
Last night, Jeff Karstens tossed a five-hit shutout and Andrew McCutchen added a two-run triple in Pittsburgh's 4-0 win.
"'Cutch' is swinging the bat as well as anybody right now," said Pirates manager Clint Hurdle. "He's in such a good place he's seeing the ball, getting good looks and hitting it all over."
Karstens (8-4) turned in his fifth straight positive decision and recorded his first complete-game whitewash since 2008. He needed just 83 pitches (64 for strikes) to finish the outing.
The victory, combined with the Cardinals' loss in Cincinnati moved the teams into a virtual tie atop the NL Central. Milwaukee is a half-game back and Cincinnati is three games off the pace.
Neil Walker added an RBI single and Alex Presley scored twice for the Pirates, who have won six of their last eight.
Brett Myers (3-10) worked six innings in the loss, allowing five hits and three runs despite striking out a season-high 11 batters for the Astros, who fell to 1-10 in July.
Pittsburgh is 8-2 this season against the Astros and swept a three-game set at Minute Maid Park in its last visit from June 14-16.
- PITTSBURGH: 4
HOUSTON: 6
Final
Jul 16 10:11 PM - Michael Bourn singled to left scored Clint Barmes. On the play, Humberto Quintero advances to second. Runners on first and second with two outs and Angel Sanchez due up.
Pirates 4, Astros 6 Bot 8, 2 OutsJul 16 10:01 PM - Matt Downs fouled out to catcher. Runners on first and third with two outs and Michael Bourn due up.
Pirates 4, Astros 5 Bot 8, 2 OutsJul 16 10:01 PM - Sergio Escalona fielder's choice scored Hunter Pence. Runner on first with one out and Clint Barmes due up.
Pirates 4, Astros 4 Bot 8, 1 OutJul 16 9:50 PM - Brandon Wood lead-off Home Run (5) to left. Michael McKenry due up.
Pirates 3, Astros 3 Top 6, 0 OutsJul 16 8:56 PM - Lyle Overbay lead-off Home Run (7) to right. Brandon Wood due up.
Pirates 2, Astros 3 Top 6, 0 OutsJul 16 8:54 PM - Neil Walker one-out, solo Home Run (9) to right. Andrew McCutchen due up.
Pirates 1, Astros 3 Top 5, 1 OutJul 16 8:33 PM - Jeff Keppinger one-out, two-run Home Run (3) to left scored Angel Sanchez. Hunter Pence due up.
Pirates 0, Astros 3 Bot 3, 1 OutJul 16 8:04 PM - Humberto Quintero flied out to right. On the play, Jason Michaels advances to third. Runner on third with two outs and Bud Norris due up.
Pirates 0, Astros 1 Bot 2, 2 OutsJul 16 7:44 PM - PITTSBURGH: 0
HOUSTON: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Jul 16 7:06 PM
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