For the 3rd game in a row the Astros left a runner on 3rd in the 1st. In the 2nd, Joe Randa, playing 1st for the first time this season, botched the short arm lob to the pitcher covering and allowed 2 runs to score on the error with 2 outs in the inning.
Andy Pettitte ran into trouble in the bottom of the 2nd. A load of bloop singles and some excellent base running and judgment on the bloops by the Pirates baserunners, plated 3 runs with one out. With runners 1st and 2nd, Chris Duffy lined a fly into the right field gap. Jason Lane ranged over and snowconed the catch on the run. From that catch forward, Pettitte retired 13 batters in a row.
In the top the 4th, Biggio drove a high fly to right center, driving the centerfielder Duffy to the gap. The next batter Everett, before Duffy could get situated back in center, slammed a fly to left center. Duffy couldn?t get to this one and Everett had a 2 out triple. Ausmus was IBB?d to get to Pettitte with 2 outs. Randa was holding Ausmus and Pettitte bounced a base hit just to the 1Bs right scoring Everett. Ausmus hustled around to 3rd on the play. With Taveras up, Duke made a wild pitch, scoring the 2nd run of the inning. The Astros took the lead, 4-3.
Add on for the Astros in the 7th. Berkman, batting from the right side and not looking good in his previous abs, exploded for a double to the right field gap, running the rabbits Taveras and Burke home. Berkman then caught the pitcher napping and swiped 3rd. Ensberg, first pitch swinging most of this game, worked the count deep until he got a high fastball that he lined to left for a 2 out RBI single. 7-3 in the 7th.
Bottom of the 7th, Pirates once again started to bunch hits. 2 singles with no outs chased Pettitte. Borkowski entered throwing strikes. He allowed another single and a sac fly but kept the score 7-4 into the 8th.
Borkowski continued into a shut down 8th. In the game he worked 2 innings, 29 pitches, 20 for strikes. Lidge recorded a gimme up by 3 save as he K?d the side in the 9th on 13 pitches.
Jason Hirsh will try again to make an impression 12:35 CDT
