• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Coste hopes to continue success against Pirates

Apr 26, 2008 - 1:42 PM Philadelphia (13-11) at Pittsburgh (9-14) 7:05 pm EDT

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) - Chris Coste will look to continue his good fortunes against the Pirates Saturday as the Philadelphia Phillies square off against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the middle contest of a three-game series.

Coste went 3-for-5 with three RBI Friday, helping Philadelphia escape with a 6-5. It was yet another outstanding performance against Pittsburgh for Coste, a backup catcher who at the age of 35 made an Opening Day roster for the first time in his career this season.

In 27 lifetime at-bats against the Pirates, Coste is hitting .481 with a home run and 16 RBI. Coste said his performance was fueled by several other hot hitters on a Phillies lineup that has averaged six runs a game in winning five of its past six.

"We have a talented team, top to bottom, so hitting becomes contagious," said Coste, who indicated he was experiencing flu-like symptoms Friday's game. "When you see guys like (Chase) Utley, (Pat) Burrell and (Jayson) Werth tearing the cover off the ball, it kind of carries over to some of the other guys."

Seeking a third straight win, the Phillies will send 23-year-old righthander Kyle Kendrick (1-2, 5.59 ERA) to the mound.

Kendrick did not receive a decision in his last start, yielding five runs and eight hits over five innings during Monday's 9-5 triumph over the Colorado Rockies.

The Pirates will counter with veteran righthander Matt Morris (0-3, 9.15), who was roughed up for eight runs over four innings in a 10-4 loss to Florida on Monday.