Game 144 Recap-
Houston 1b Lance Berkman had a huge day with bat, with a rbi double and 3 run homer while scoring 3 runs, while leading the Astros to a 9-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Minute Maid Park in Texas Tuesday night. Houston has won 12 of 13, 15 of 20 and 29-11 and are now with 4 of the NL Wild Card. Veteran LH Randy Wolf(10-11,4.45) pitched 7 strong for the win.
The Pirates struggles continue, as the lostt was their fourth straight and 15 of 18. RH Ross Ohlendorf, making his 2nd ML start, had a tough night. Over 4 innings, he allowed 9 hits and 6 runs with 3 Ks and 1 walk. RF Steve Pearce homered for the Pirates.
Wolf, who gave up 4 hits and 3 runs while striking out 4 and walking 1, was touched for 2 first inning runs. Houston has won 8 of the 9 games he has started sice coming over from San Diego on July 22. The main issue is trying to win each game and if for some reason, there is a spot for us, that’d be great,” Wolf said. “But it’s just fun winning, just keep going out there and playing good baseball.”
C Ryan Doumit singled home CF Nate McLouth and 1b Adam Laroche followed with a double to make it 2-0 Pirates. Berkman answered with 2 huge rbi hits(3 run 1st inning homer and double in the 3rd) and the Stros never looked back.Tacking on runs in the 3rd(2), 5th(2) and 6th, the Houston offense kept pressure on all night, collecting 15 hits.
Star of the Game-
Berkman- Should get some NL MVP votes, hitting .331 with 28 homers and 100 rbi
Pirates Notes-
2b Freddy Sanchez left the game in the 2nd with vision problems… Brian Bixler started at SS and was 0 for 3…team managed only 4 hits.. Closer Matt Capps(19 saves,3.30) pitched a strong 1-2-3 8th with 2 Ks …. Game featured an instant replay review in the 6th, umpires on field correctly called RF Hunter Pence’s double, which hit off the top of the fence in right
Next Game-
Wednesday, Game 3 of 4 game series vs Astros at Minute Maid Park
Pirates LH Tom Gorzelanny(6-9,6.64) vs Astros RH Brian Moehler(10-6,4.22)
