(My Sportsbook) - The
Houston Astros will shoot for back-to-back wins for the first time this season when they wrap up a three-game series against the Central Division-rival
Pittsburgh Pirates today at PNC Park.
Houston will also be aiming for its first series victory of the season after ending a five-game slide with Wednesday's 4-1 triumph in the second installment of this series. Oft-injured starting pitcher Mike Hampton tossed six shutout innings and allowed four hits with eight strikeouts and just one walk. The lefty improved to 11-3 all-time versus the Pirates.
Geoff Geary and LaTroy Hawkins both threw a solid inning of relief for Houston before Jose Valverde closed the door in the ninth despite allowing a home run to Adam LaRoche to start the frame. Carlos Lee highlighted the offense with three RBI and Miguel Tejada added three hits and two runs scored for the Astros, who are 1-4 on a six-game road trip.
After today's game, Houston will return to Texas for a 10-game homestand versus Cincinnati, Los Angeles and Milwaukee at Minute Maid Park.
Russ Ortiz gets the nod this afternoon for Houston after making a pair of relief appearances. Ortiz made his Houston debut in an 11-6 loss to the Chicago Cubs on April 8, allowing three runs in three innings of work.
The right-hander then pitched a scoreless inning of relief in a 7-0 loss at Pittsburgh on Monday. Ortiz is 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA this season.
LaRoche ended with two hits and Gold Glove center fielder Nate McLouth finished 2-for-3 as the Pirates continued to alternate wins and losses on the young season. Pittsburgh starter Ross Ohlendorf was saddled with the loss, allowing four runs and eight hits in five innings.
The Pirates are 1-1 on a nine-game homestand versus Houston, Atlanta and Florida.
Taking the ball for the Buccos today will be Jeff Karstens, who will make his 2009 debut after going 2-6 with a 4.03 ERA in nine starts a year ago. Karstens, a right-handed Texas Tech product, has never faced Houston.
These two division rivals split their 16 meetings last year, although the Astros won six of the final seven matchups. The Pirates won five of nine from Houston at PNC Park in 2008.
