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Pirates look to continue dominance of Astros

Sep 15, 2007 - 2:38 PM Pittsburgh (66-81) at Houston (63-84) 7:05 pm EDT

HOUSTON (Ticker) - The Pittsburgh Pirates are all but assured of their 15th straight losing season. It is not because of their play against the Houston Astros though.

Matt Morris takes the mound on Saturday as the Pirates look to continue their success against the Astros in the middle game of a three-game series.

Pittsburgh, which has won four of its last five games, has captured 10 of the 13 meetings between the clubs, including a pair of sweeps.

Morris (9-9, 4.59 ERA) has not been great this season, but he has done well against the National League's worst team. The righthander is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in two starts against the Astros this season.

The Astros will counter with Wandy Rodriguez (8-13, 4.65), who has lost four of his last five decisions. Rodriguez has had a frustrating season on the road, going 2-10 with a 7.31 ERA, but is 6-3 with a 2.54 ERA here.

Jose Bautista hit a two-run homer in a three-run eighth inning as Pittsburgh posted a 4-3 win in Friday's opener, sending Houston to its eighth loss in the last nine games.