Game 145 Recap-
SS Miguel Tejada’s 6th inning grand slam broke open a close game and helped the Houston Astros beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-4 Wednesday at Minute Maid Park in Texas. Houston has won 5 straight,13 of 14 and are within 4 games of the wild card leading Milwaukee Brewers. Veteran RH Brian Moehler(11-6) went 6 for the win while Rf Hunter Pence added a 2 run homer.
Houston scored twice off of LH Tom Gorzelanny(6-9,6.66) in the 2nd via Pence’s homer. The veteran LH ledt in the 3rd with irritation in his left middle finger and that put a burden on a taxed Pirates staff. Pittsburgh rallied to tie with single runs in the 4th(Adam Laroche homer) and 5th(Nyjer Morgan rbi double) but Houston roughed up RH Denny Bautista(4-3,5.37) for 5 runs in 1 1/3 innings with Tejada’s slam the capper. “Again, we’re not hitting our spots when we need to,” Pirates manager John Russell said of Bautista. “We put guys on the base against a good hitting team. His velocity is still there, he just didn’t have his breaking ball tonight. It was still a good matchup [with Tejada] if he throws the ball the way he is capable.”
Pittsburgh did not lie down and score two runs in the 8th to close the gap to 7-4. CF Nate McLouth and Laroche had back to back rbi doubles to lead the charge. Houston closer Jose Valverde earned his 42nd save in 48 chances, extending his club record of 15 consecutive saves.
Star of the Game-
Tejada- Slam was the decisive hit
Pirates Notes-
McLouth, Laroche and Luis Cruz(starting at 2b) had 2 hits to pace the club… LH John Grabow(3.03) and RH Tyler Yates(5.04) both pitched scoreless relief innings… Houston has the best record in MLB since the All Star break
Next Game-
Thursday, Series finale at Houston vs the Astros
Pittsburgh LH Zach Duke(5-13,4.87) vs Houston RH Roy Oswalt(14-9,3.77)
