Game 155 Recap-
The Pittsburgh Pirates jumped out with 5 runs in the first and led 6-0 after 2, helping them defeat the Houston Astros,6-4 Saturday at PNC Park.The Astros lost their 6th game in 7 and have all but fallen out of contention for the NL wild card spot after winning 14 of 15.”We’re at the point where we can’t lose any more games, and I think we’ve felt that way the last 10 games,” Brian Moehler said after lasting one ineffective inning. “When you’ve got [three] teams in front of you, it’s hard to make up ground.”
C Ryan Doumit led the assault with 2 doubles and 3 rbis in the early attack on veteran Astros RH Brian Moehler(11-8, 4.61), who did not escape the 2nd inning. Pirates rookie rh Jimmy Barthmaier(0-1,15.19) started for Pittsburgh and was gone by the 4th inning. RH Jason Davis(2-4,5.29) picked up the win with 2 solid innings and the Pittsburgh bullpen picked it up with 4 of the 5 relievers pitching well.
The Pirates 5 run first got kicked off when CF Nate McLouth singled in the 1st run. Doumit(2 run double) and RF Brandon Moss(triple) followed with rbi hits to make it 4-0. Rookie 3b Andy Laroche capped the inning with a sacrifice fly to put the spread at 5-0. Houston answered with 2 runs in the 3rd SS Miguel Tejada and 1b Lance Berkman drove in runs.
The Astros cut the lead to 6-4 in the 8th vs rh Tyler Yates(5-3,4.96) when ex Pirates Ty Wigginton and Mark Loretta singled in runs. LH Jon Grabow(14 holds, 2.87) retired ph Jose Castillo to end the uprising. Closer rh Matt Capps(20 saves,3.14) allowed 2 his but settled down to earn the save and a nice weekend victoy for Pittsburgh.
Star of the Game-
Doumit- Outstanding season for the young backstop, .322 with 14 homers and 66 rbi over 410 at bats
Pirates Notes-
LF Nyger Morgan had 2 hits….Luis Cruz started at SS and was 0 for 4… SS Jack Wilson pinchhit in the 5th. With his fractured index finger, he is not expected to play defense for the rest of the season… Team control was greatly improved, as the Pirates walked 3 after they totaled 19 over the previous 2 games… Pirates turned 2 double plays with Cruz involved in both
Next Game-
Sunday, series conclusion vs Houston at PNC Park
1:35
Pirates RH Ross Ohlendorf(1-3,6.79) vs Astros Roy Oswalt(15-10,3.66)
