After not scoring for eight innings, the Astros lineup arose from its slumber and put a stunning beatdown on a sweep-seeking Pirates club. Down 4-0 going into the 9th, Houston scored four runs in the top of the 9th to force extra innings, and then went ahead in the 10th to win 5-4. It was the second straight extra inning game, following Saturday's 18-inning affair.
The only Pirates runs came on two home runs, a solo shot by Jason Bay in the 4th and a 3-run blast by Jose Bautista in the 7th. Up until that point, the Astros had managed only three hits, all singles, and never got a runner past second.
Pirates starter Odalis Perez remained in the game for the 9th, attempting to lock up the complete game. However, Morgan Ensberg started the 9th inning rally with a single through the left side. Mike Lamb followed with a bloop single down the left field line, and Perez was lifted for reliever Mike Gonzalez. Preston Wilson blooped in another single, this time in front of Jeromy Burnitz in right center. Jason Lane walked on four pitches with the bases loaded, and Eric Bruntlett lined a single to right to cut the lead to 4-2. After Craig Biggio flew out, another bases loaded walk of Willy Taveras made it 4-3, and Solomon Torres was brought in to replace Gonzalez. Brad Ausmus then tied the game with a sac fly. Chad Qualls pitched a perfect bottom of the 9th to force extra innings.
In the 10th, Ensberg, Lamb, and Wilson started the inning with three straight singles, Ensberg scoring on the third single. A sac bunt by Lane pushed the runners over to second and third. At this time the Astros put the suicide squeeze on, with Lamb breaking to the plate on Torres' pitch to Bruntlett. Unfortunately, the pitch went straight for Bruntlett's head and he hit the deck, making Lamb dead in the water. Brad Lidge sealed the win with a scoreless 10th, getting his 13th save.
Houston starter Fernando Nieve didn't have an altogether bad outing, save for the two homers. He pitched in to the 7th inning and only allowed six hits while striking out five. Qualls got the win, improving to 3-1. Chad has only allowed one run in his last 17 innings, dating back to April 30. His ERA has dropped nearly four runs in that span.
Roy Oswalt opposes Jason Marquis as the Astros play the Cardinals for the first time in new Busch Stadium. Monday's game begins at 3:15pm CDT.
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