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Surging Astros take on Pirates

Sep 10, 2008 - 10:08 AM Pittsburgh (60-84) at Houston (78-67) 8:05 p.m. EDT

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- In typical form, Lance Berkman and the Houston Astros are making their traditional second-half playoff push.

Winners of 12 of 13 and 31 of 41, the Astros take on the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday.

Berkman, who snapped an 0-for-17 stretch with a pair of hits on Monday, powered the Astros' offense with three hits, including a homer, and four RBI in a 9-3 win on Tuesday.

The Astros, who used spectacular second half performances in 2004 and '05 to surge into the playoffs, find themselves four games behind the Milwaukee Brewers (82-63) in the National League wild-card race. After a 6-4 loss to Milwaukee on July 26, Houston was 12 1/2 games behind in the wild card.

Brian Moehler (10-6, 4.22) gets the start for Houston. The righthander has not lost in seven home starts, going 3-0 with a 3.70 ERA, but lost his last start, a 5-3 road decision to the St. Louis Cardinals. He allowed five runs in 4 2/3 innings, surrendering six hits and three walks.

In his only start against the Pirates this season, Moehler lasted 2 1/3 innings, allowing six runs, five earned, and nine hits.

The Pirates counter with Tom Gorzelanny (6-9, 6.64). The lefthander has lost three consecutive decisions and is 1-7 on the road.

Posting a 9.33 ERA in 10 starts away from home, Gorzelanny has not won a road start since April 30.