GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NL: PITTSBURGH (66-82) at HOUSTON (64-84)

NL: PITTSBURGH at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
PITTSBURGH 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 3 4 0
HOUSTON 5 1 5 2 0 0 0 2 x 15 22 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: PIT - PAUL MAHOLM, JUAN PEREZ (3RD), TONY ARMAS (4TH), BRYAN
BULLINGTON (5TH), DAVE DAVIDSON (8TH) AND CARLOS MALDONADO

HOU - BRANDON BACKE, MARK MCLEMORE (7TH), TREVER MILLER
(8TH), BRIAN MOEHLER (9TH) AND J.R. TOWLES


WP - BRANDON BACKE (1-1)
LP - PAUL MAHOLM (10-15)
SAVE - NONE

HOME RUNS: PIT - JACK WILSON (12) OFF BRANDON BACKE IN THE 2ND, 0 ON
JASON BAY (21) OFF BRANDON BACKE IN THE 4TH, 0 ON
CARLOS MALDONADO (1) OFF MARK MCLEMORE IN THE 7TH, 0 ON

HOU - CODY RANSOM (1) OFF PAUL MAHOLM IN THE 1ST, 2 ON
TY WIGGINTON (6) OFF TONY ARMAS IN THE 4TH, 0 ON
CHRIS BURKE (6) OFF DAVE DAVIDSON IN THE 8TH, 1 ON


TIME: 2:52 ATT: 35,715

PROBABLES: MIL - YOVANI GALLARDO (8-4, 3.99)
HOU - MATT ALBERS (4-8, 5.79)

PROBABLES: PIT - JOHN VAN BENSCHOTEN (0-5, 10.86)
SDG - JACK CASSEL (0-0, 4.66)</div>

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">PITTSBURGH (3) VS HOUSTON (15) - FINAL

PITTSBURGH ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
N Morgan cf 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 .214
J Bautista 3b 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .261
B Bullington p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .500
c-N McLouth ph-lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .250
F Sanchez 2b 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 .311
b-J Castillo ph-2b 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .239
A LaRoche 1b 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .273
J Phelps 1b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .368
X Nady rf 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .282
S Pearce rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .304
J Bay lf 3 1 1 1 0 1 0 .252
D Davidson p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
d-R Paulino ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .263
J Wilson ss 2 1 2 1 0 0 0 .297
C Izturis ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .254
C Maldonado c 2 1 1 1 1 0 1 .143
P Maholm p 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .175
J Perez p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
T Armas p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .120
a-M Kata ph-3b 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .262

Totals 31 3 4 3 2 4 5

a-flied out to left for T Armas in the 5th; b-popped out to first for F
Sanchez in the 6th; c-grounded to second for B Bullington in the 8th; d-lined
out to right for D Davidson in the 9th.

BATTING: 2B - J Wilson (28, B Backe). HR - J Wilson (12, 2nd inning off B Backe
0 on, 2 Out), J Bay (21, 4th inning off B Backe 0 on, 2 Out), C Maldonado (1,
7th inning off M McLemore 0 on, 2 Out). RBI - J Wilson (56), J Bay (83), C
Maldonado (3). 2-out RBI - J Wilson, J Bay, C Maldonado. Runners left in
scoring position, 2 out - C Maldonado 1. Team LOB - 3.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (C Izturis-J Castillo-A LaRoche).


HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Burke ss 4 3 3 4 1 0 1 .232
J Anderson cf 5 2 5 3 0 0 0 .500
H Pence rf 5 0 1 0 1 1 6 .324
C Lee lf 4 0 1 2 0 1 2 .297
E Bruntlett lf 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 .246
M Loretta 1b 4 2 2 1 0 0 2 .285
M McLemore p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
b-H Quintero ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .200
B Ausmus 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 .234
T Wigginton 3b 5 2 3 1 0 0 2 .312
T Miller p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
B Moehler p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .200
C Ransom 2b 5 2 2 3 0 0 1 .188
J Towles c 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 .300
B Backe p 3 2 2 0 0 0 0 .400
a-E Munson ph-1b 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 .237

Totals 44 15 22 15 4 2 18

a-singled to center for B Backe in the 6th; b-grounded into fielder's choice
to shortstop for M Mclemore in the 7th.

BATTING: 2B - J Anderson (2, P Maholm); T Wigginton (9, P Maholm); B Backe (1,
P Maholm). HR - C Ransom (1, 1st inning off P Maholm 2 on, 2 Out), T Wigginton
(6, 4th inning off T Armas 0 on, 0 Out), C Burke (6, 8th inning off D Davidson
1 on, 2 Out). S - C Burke. RBI - J Anderson 3 (5), M Loretta (38), C Ransom 3
(3), J Towles (1), C Burke 4 (26), C Lee 2 (111), T Wigginton (16). 2-out RBI -
M Loretta, C Ransom 3, C Burke 4, C Lee 2, J Anderson. Runners left in scoring
position, 2 out - M Loretta 1, B Ausmus 2, H Pence 2. GIDP - T Wigginton. Team
LOB - 11.

BASERUNNING: SB - C Burke (9, 2nd base off P Maholm/C Maldonado).


----------------------------------------------------
PITTSBURGH - 010 100 100 -- 3
HOUSTON - 515 200 02x -- 15
----------------------------------------------------

PITTSBURGH ip h r er bb so hr era
P Maholm (L, 10-15) 2 2/3 11 10 10 0 1 1 4.76
J Perez 1/3 3 1 1 0 0 0 4.00
T Armas 1 3 2 2 1 0 1 6.19
B Bullington 3 3 0 0 1 1 0 6.55
D Davidson 1 2 2 2 2 0 1 22.50

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
B Backe (W, 1-1) 6 3 2 2 2 2 2 4.86
M McLemore 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 4.03
T Miller 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 4.57
B Moehler 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.25

HBP - J Anderson (by D Davidson). Pitches-strikes: P Maholm 61-40; J Perez
16-9; T Armas 28-17; B Bullington 35-23; D Davidson 35-19; B Backe 91-60; M
McLemore 13-8; T Miller 13-9; B Moehler 14-11. Ground balls-fly balls: P Maholm
1-6; J Perez 0-1; T Armas 2-1; B Bullington 4-4; D Davidson 2-1; B Backe 6-10;
M McLemore 0-2; T Miller 2-0; B Moehler 0-3. Batters faced: P Maholm 19; J
Perez 4; T Armas 7; B Bullington 12; D Davidson 8; B Backe 23; M McLemore 4; T
Miller 3; B Moehler 3.

UMPIRES: HP--Brian Knight. 1B--Larry Poncino. 2B--Jerry Meals. 3B--Gary
Darling.

T--2:52. Att--35,715.
Weather: INDOORS</div>

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NL
PITTSBURGH 3
HOUSTON 15 FINAL</div>

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PITTSBURGH (3) AT HOUSTON (15) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HOUSTON 1ST: C Burke reached on infield single to shortstop. C Burke stole
second. J Anderson hit a ground rule double to left, C Burke scored. H Pence
flied out to right. C Lee flied out to right. M Loretta singled to center,
J Anderson scored. T Wigginton doubled to left, M Loretta to third. C Ransom
homered to left, M Loretta and T Wigginton scored. J Towles flied out to left.
(5 Runs, 5 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 0, HOUSTON 5.

PITTSBURGH 2ND: X Nady grounded out to shortstop. J Bay grounded out to
third. J Wilson homered to left. C Maldonado walked. P Maholm grounded out
to pitcher. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 1, HOUSTON 5.

HOUSTON 2ND: B Backe doubled to deep right. C Burke sacrificed to third,
B Backe to third. J Anderson singled to left, B Backe scored. H Pence flied out
to center. C Lee struck out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 1,
HOUSTON 6.

HOUSTON 3RD: M Loretta singled to center. T Wigginton flied out to center.
C Ransom singled to right, M Loretta to second. J Towles singled to left,
M Loretta scored, C Ransom to second. B Backe flied out to center, C Ransom to
third, J Towles to second. C Burke singled to center, C Ransom and J Towles
scored. J Perez relieved P Maholm. J Anderson singled to center, C Burke to
second. H Pence reached on infield single to third, C Burke to third,
J Anderson to second. C Lee singled to center, C Burke and J Anderson scored,
H Pence to second. M Loretta flied out to right. (5 Runs, 7 Hits, 0 Errors)
PITTSBURGH 1, HOUSTON 11.

PITTSBURGH 4TH: A LaRoche flied out to right. X Nady struck out swinging.
J Bay homered to right center. J Wilson doubled to deep center. C Maldonado
grounded out to pitcher. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 2, HOUSTON 11.

HOUSTON 4TH: T Armas relieved J Perez. T Wigginton homered to left.
C Ransom grounded out to shortstop. J Towles flied out to center. B Backe
singled to left. C Burke walked, B Backe to second. J Anderson singled to
left, B Backe scored, C Burke to second. H Pence grounded into fielder's
choice to shortstop, J Anderson out at second. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors)
PITTSBURGH 2, HOUSTON 13.

PITTSBURGH 7TH: M McLemore relieved B Backe. E Munson at first base. J Bay
struck out swinging. C Izturis popped out to first. C Maldonado homered to
left. M Kata fouled out to third. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3,
HOUSTON 13.

HOUSTON 8TH: N McLouth in left field. J Phelps at first base. S Pearce in
right field. D Davidson relieved B Bullington. C Ransom grounded out to third.
J Towles fouled out to right. E Munson walked. C Burke homered to center,
E Munson scored. J Anderson hit by pitch. H Pence walked, J Anderson to second.
E Bruntlett singled to left, J Anderson to third, H Pence to second. B Ausmus
grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, E Bruntlett out at second.
(2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, HOUSTON 15.</div>

 

Astros rout Pirates in series finale

<h3>HOUSTON 15, PITTSBURGH 3</h3>By Andrew Ferraro
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


HOUSTON (Ticker) -- There were several heroes for the HoustonAstros in their 15-3 drubbing of the Pittsburgh Pirates onSunday at Minute Maid Park.


Rookie Josh Anderson had a career-high five hits, three runsbatted in and two runs scored. Ty Wigginton had three hits, ahomer and was just a triple shy of his first career cycle.

Then there was Brandon Backe.


Making just his third start after having surgery a year ago torepair the ulnar collateral ligament on his right elbow, Backe(1-1) pitched six strong innings, went 2-for-3 at the plate andscored a pair of runs while picking up his first win in 2007.

The Astros (65-84) have won back to back games after losing 10of 12 overall and won their first series since taking two out ofthree against the St. Louis Cardinals at home Aug. 28-30.

The Astros hammered Pirates starter Paul Maholm (10-15) for 10runs in less than three innings, scoring five runs in the firstinning to break things open.


Before Sunday, Maholm was 2-0 against Houston in 2007 and hadallowed just two earned runs against the Astros in 15-plusinnings of work. He was 3-0 with a 3.00 earned run average inhis previous four starts before the Astros pounded out a seasonhigh 22 hits, including 11 off Maholm alone.


Anderson drove in Houston's first run of the game with a doubleafter Chris Burke led off the game with a single and then stolesecond. Mark Loretta hit an RBI single and after Wiggintondoubled, Cody Ransom hit a three-run shot, his first majorleague homer since Aug. 14, 2004.


The Astros had another five-run inning in the third when theysent 11 men to the plate. They scored the five runs without anextra base hit while Burke and Carlos Lee had two RBI each inthe inning.


The Pirates (66-83) hit three solo homers in the game, includingCarlos Maldonado's first career homer, a 275-foot shot to leftoff Mark McLemore in the seventh.


Houston's Chris Burke added a two-run shot in the eighth, hissixth homer of the season, to close out the scoring.

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PITTSBURGH (3) AT HOUSTON (15) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pittsburgh Starting Lineups -- N Morgan CF, J Bautista 3B, F Sanchez 2B,
A LaRoche 1B, X Nady RF, J Bay LF, J Wilson SS, C Maldonado C, P Maholm LHP.

Houston Starting Lineups -- C Burke SS, J Anderson CF, H Pence RF, C Lee LF,
M Loretta 1B, T Wigginton 3B, C Ransom 2B, J Towles C, B Backe RHP.

Umpires -- Brian Knight (HP), Larry Poncino (1B), Jerry Meals (2B), Gary Darling (3B).

Gametime Weather: INDOORS.


PITTSBURGH 1ST: N Morgan walked. J Bautista grounded into fielder's choice
to shortstop, N Morgan out at second. F Sanchez flied out to center.
A LaRoche popped out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 0,
HOUSTON 0.

HOUSTON 1ST: C Burke reached on infield single to shortstop. C Burke stole
second. J Anderson hit a ground rule double to left, C Burke scored. H Pence
flied out to right. C Lee flied out to right. M Loretta singled to center,
J Anderson scored. T Wigginton doubled to left, M Loretta to third. C Ransom
homered to left, M Loretta and T Wigginton scored. J Towles flied out to left.
(5 Runs, 5 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 0, HOUSTON 5.

PITTSBURGH 2ND: X Nady grounded out to shortstop. J Bay grounded out to
third. J Wilson homered to left. C Maldonado walked. P Maholm grounded out
to pitcher. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 1, HOUSTON 5.

HOUSTON 2ND: B Backe doubled to deep right. C Burke sacrificed to third,
B Backe to third. J Anderson singled to left, B Backe scored. H Pence flied out
to center. C Lee struck out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 1,
HOUSTON 6.

PITTSBURGH 3RD: N Morgan flied out to left. J Bautista flied out to
center. F Sanchez grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
PITTSBURGH 1, HOUSTON 6.

HOUSTON 3RD: M Loretta singled to center. T Wigginton flied out to center.
C Ransom singled to right, M Loretta to second. J Towles singled to left,
M Loretta scored, C Ransom to second. B Backe flied out to center, C Ransom to
third, J Towles to second. C Burke singled to center, C Ransom and J Towles
scored. J Perez relieved P Maholm. J Anderson singled to center, C Burke to
second. H Pence reached on infield single to third, C Burke to third,
J Anderson to second. C Lee singled to center, C Burke and J Anderson scored,
H Pence to second. M Loretta flied out to right. (5 Runs, 7 Hits, 0 Errors)
PITTSBURGH 1, HOUSTON 11.

PITTSBURGH 4TH: A LaRoche flied out to right. X Nady struck out swinging.
J Bay homered to right center. J Wilson doubled to deep center. C Maldonado
grounded out to pitcher. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 2, HOUSTON 11.

HOUSTON 4TH: T Armas relieved J Perez. T Wigginton homered to left.
C Ransom grounded out to shortstop. J Towles flied out to center. B Backe
singled to left. C Burke walked, B Backe to second. J Anderson singled to
left, B Backe scored, C Burke to second. H Pence grounded into fielder's
choice to shortstop, J Anderson out at second. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors)
PITTSBURGH 2, HOUSTON 13.

PITTSBURGH 5TH: M Kata hit for T Armas. M Kata flied out to left. N Morgan
flied out to left. J Bautista flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
PITTSBURGH 2, HOUSTON 13.

HOUSTON 5TH: B Bullington relieved T Armas. M Kata at third base. C Lee
flied out to right. M Loretta flied out to right. T Wigginton singled to
left. C Ransom flied out to center. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 2,
HOUSTON 13.

PITTSBURGH 6TH: E Bruntlett in left field. J Castillo hit for F Sanchez.
J Castillo popped out to first. A LaRoche struck out swinging. X Nady popped
out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 2, HOUSTON 13.

HOUSTON 6TH: J Castillo at second base. C Izturis at shortstop. J Towles
fouled out to third. E Munson hit for B Backe. E Munson singled to center.
C Burke grounded into fielder's choice to third, E Munson out at second.
J Anderson singled to left, C Burke to second. H Pence struck out swinging.
(0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 2, HOUSTON 13.

PITTSBURGH 7TH: M McLemore relieved B Backe. E Munson at first base. J Bay
struck out swinging. C Izturis popped out to first. C Maldonado homered to
left. M Kata fouled out to third. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3,
HOUSTON 13.

HOUSTON 7TH: E Bruntlett walked. H Quintero hit for M McLemore. H Quintero
grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, E Bruntlett out at second.
T Wigginton grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, H Quintero
out at second.(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, HOUSTON 13.

PITTSBURGH 8TH: B Ausmus at third base. T Miller relieved M McLemore.
N Morgan grounded out to shortstop. N McLouth hit for B Bullington. N McLouth
grounded out to second. J Castillo struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, HOUSTON 13.

HOUSTON 8TH: N McLouth in left field. J Phelps at first base. S Pearce in
right field. D Davidson relieved B Bullington. C Ransom grounded out to third.
J Towles fouled out to right. E Munson walked. C Burke homered to center,
E Munson scored. J Anderson hit by pitch. H Pence walked, J Anderson to second.
E Bruntlett singled to left, J Anderson to third, H Pence to second. B Ausmus
grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, E Bruntlett out at second.
(2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, HOUSTON 15.

PITTSBURGH 9TH: B Moehler relieved T Miller. J Phelps flied out to center.
S Pearce popped out to shortstop. R Paulino hit for D Davidson. R Paulino
lined out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, HOUSTON 15.</div>

 

Astros rout Pirates in series finale

<h3>HOUSTON 15, PITTSBURGH 3</h3>By Andrew Ferraro
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


HOUSTON (Ticker) -- There were several heroes for the HoustonAstros in their 15-3 drubbing of the Pittsburgh Pirates onSunday at Minute Maid Park.


Rookie Josh Anderson had a career-high five hits, three runsbatted in and two runs scored. Ty Wigginton had three hits, ahomer and was just a triple shy of his first career cycle.

Then there was Brandon Backe.


Making just his third start after having surgery a year ago torepair the ulnar collateral ligament on his right elbow, Backe(1-1) pitched six strong innings, went 2-for-3 at the plate andscored a pair of runs while picking up his first win in 2007.

"Backe really pitched well for us today," said Astros managerCecil Cooper. "He kept the ball down and had a little life onhis fastball. He threw his breaking ball well and for strikes.

"He is definitely a guy that can help us out in 2008."

The Astros (65-84) have won back to back games after losing 10of 12 overall and won their first series since taking two out ofthree against the St. Louis Cardinals at home Aug. 28-30.

Anderson was the first Astros rookie to reach base six times ina game since Joe Morgan did it in 1965. Anderson did it in nineinnings Sunday, but it took Morgan 12 innings against theMilwaukee Braves to accomplish the feat.


"I am a little bit surprised," Anderson said. "I had a six-hitgame in A-ball and another five hit game somewhere else in theminors. It was just one of those games where you feel locked inand you can see the ball really well."


The Astros hammered Pirates starter Paul Maholm (10-15) for 10runs in less than three innings, scoring five runs in the firstinning to break things open.


Before Sunday, Maholm was 2-0 against Houston in 2007 and hadallowed just two earned runs against the Astros in 15-plusinnings of work. He was 3-0 with a 3.00 earned run average inhis previous four starts before the Astros pounded out a seasonhigh 22 hits, including 11 off Maholm alone.


"I felt good, but for some reason, I threw everything belt highand this is the wrong park to try that one in," Maholm said."It's my job to get the balls down and I felt good going intothe game. But today, especially when I would try to throw asinker, it would find a spot for the hitters.


"That, and I could not throw my change up for strikes."

Added Pirates Manager Jim Tracy, "Paulie left a lot of balls inthe middle of the plate. I just don't know what would havehappened if he could have gotten through that first inning. Thatat-bat to Ransom in the first, I thought, was huge. There weretwo on and two out and that was the big one today. He getsthrough that one and who knows what he does the rest of theday."


Anderson drove in Houston's first run of the game with a doubleafter Chris Burke led off the game with a single and then stolesecond. Mark Loretta hit an RBI single and after Wiggintondoubled, Cody Ransom hit a three-run shot, his first majorleague homer since Aug. 14, 2004.


"(Anderson) is an exciting young player," Cooper said."Hopefully, he will get the chance to continue. It's pretty hardto bench a guy after he gets give hits. He'll definitely be inthe lineup tomorrow."


The Astros had another five-run inning in the third when theysent 11 men to the plate. They scored the five runs without anextra base hit while Burke and Carlos Lee had two RBI each inthe inning.


The Pirates (66-83) hit three solo homers in the game, includingCarlos Maldonado's first career homer, a 275-foot shot to leftoff Mark McLemore in the seventh.


Houston's Chris Burke added a two-run shot in the eighth, hissixth homer of the season, to close out the scoring.

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">PITTSBURGH (3) VS HOUSTON (15) - FINAL

PITTSBURGH ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
N Morgan cf 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 .214
J Bautista 3b 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .261
B Bullington p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .500
c-N McLouth ph-lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .250
F Sanchez 2b 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 .311
b-J Castillo ph-2b 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .239
A LaRoche 1b 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .273
J Phelps 1b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .368
X Nady rf 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .282
S Pearce rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .304
J Bay lf 3 1 1 1 0 1 0 .252
D Davidson p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
d-R Paulino ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .263
J Wilson ss 2 1 2 1 0 0 0 .297
C Izturis ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .254
C Maldonado c 2 1 1 1 1 0 1 .143
P Maholm p 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .175
J Perez p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
T Armas p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .120
a-M Kata ph-3b 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .262

Totals 31 3 4 3 2 4 5

a-flied out to left for T Armas in the 5th; b-popped out to first for F
Sanchez in the 6th; c-grounded to second for B Bullington in the 8th; d-lined
out to right for D Davidson in the 9th.

BATTING: 2B - J Wilson (28, B Backe). HR - J Wilson (12, 2nd inning off B Backe
0 on, 2 Out), J Bay (21, 4th inning off B Backe 0 on, 2 Out), C Maldonado (1,
7th inning off M McLemore 0 on, 2 Out). RBI - J Wilson (56), J Bay (83), C
Maldonado (3). 2-out RBI - J Wilson, J Bay, C Maldonado. Runners left in
scoring position, 2 out - C Maldonado 1. Team LOB - 3.

FIELDING: E - A LaRoche (6, catch) DP: 1 (C Izturis-J Castillo-A LaRoche).


HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Burke ss 4 3 3 4 1 0 1 .232
J Anderson cf 5 2 5 3 0 0 0 .500
H Pence rf 5 0 1 0 1 1 6 .324
C Lee lf 4 0 1 2 0 1 2 .297
E Bruntlett lf 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 .246
M Loretta 1b 4 2 2 1 0 0 2 .285
M McLemore p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
b-H Quintero ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .200
B Ausmus 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 .234
T Wigginton 3b 5 2 3 1 0 0 2 .312
T Miller p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
B Moehler p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .200
C Ransom 2b 5 2 2 3 0 0 1 .188
J Towles c 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 .300
B Backe p 3 2 2 0 0 0 0 .400
a-E Munson ph-1b 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 .237

Totals 44 15 22 15 4 2 18

a-singled to center for B Backe in the 6th; b-grounded into fielder's choice
to shortstop for M Mclemore in the 7th.

BATTING: 2B - J Anderson (2, P Maholm); T Wigginton (9, P Maholm); B Backe (1,
P Maholm). HR - C Ransom (1, 1st inning off P Maholm 2 on, 2 Out), T Wigginton
(6, 4th inning off T Armas 0 on, 0 Out), C Burke (6, 8th inning off D Davidson
1 on, 2 Out). S - C Burke. RBI - J Anderson 3 (5), M Loretta (38), C Ransom 3
(3), J Towles (1), C Burke 4 (26), C Lee 2 (111), T Wigginton (16). 2-out RBI -
M Loretta, C Ransom 3, C Burke 4, C Lee 2, J Anderson. Runners left in scoring
position, 2 out - M Loretta 1, B Ausmus 2, H Pence 2. GIDP - T Wigginton. Team
LOB - 11.

BASERUNNING: SB - C Burke (9, 2nd base off P Maholm/C Maldonado).


----------------------------------------------------
PITTSBURGH - 010 100 100 -- 3
HOUSTON - 515 200 02x -- 15
----------------------------------------------------

PITTSBURGH ip h r er bb so hr era
P Maholm (L, 10-15) 2 2/3 11 10 10 0 1 1 4.76
J Perez 1/3 3 1 1 0 0 0 4.00
T Armas 1 3 2 2 1 0 1 6.19
B Bullington 3 3 0 0 1 1 0 6.55
D Davidson 1 2 2 2 2 0 1 22.50

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
B Backe (W, 1-1) 6 3 2 2 2 2 2 4.86
M McLemore 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 4.03
T Miller 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 4.57
B Moehler 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.25

HBP - J Anderson (by D Davidson). Pitches-strikes: P Maholm 61-40; J Perez
16-9; T Armas 28-17; B Bullington 35-23; D Davidson 35-19; B Backe 91-60; M
McLemore 13-8; T Miller 13-9; B Moehler 14-11. Ground balls-fly balls: P Maholm
1-6; J Perez 0-1; T Armas 2-1; B Bullington 4-4; D Davidson 2-1; B Backe 6-10;
M McLemore 0-2; T Miller 2-0; B Moehler 0-3. Batters faced: P Maholm 19; J
Perez 4; T Armas 7; B Bullington 12; D Davidson 8; B Backe 23; M McLemore 4; T
Miller 3; B Moehler 3.

UMPIRES: HP--Brian Knight. 1B--Larry Poncino. 2B--Jerry Meals. 3B--Gary
Darling.

T--2:52. Att--35,715.
Weather: INDOORS</div>

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
PITTSBURGH 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 3 4 1
HOUSTON 5 1 5 2 0 0 0 2 x 15 22 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: PIT - PAUL MAHOLM, JUAN PEREZ (3RD), TONY ARMAS (4TH), BRYAN
BULLINGTON (5TH), DAVE DAVIDSON (8TH) AND CARLOS MALDONADO

HOU - BRANDON BACKE, MARK MCLEMORE (7TH), TREVER MILLER
(8TH), BRIAN MOEHLER (9TH) AND J.R. TOWLES


WP - BRANDON BACKE (1-1)
LP - PAUL MAHOLM (10-15)
SAVE - NONE

HOME RUNS: PIT - JACK WILSON (12) OFF BRANDON BACKE IN THE 2ND, 0 ON
JASON BAY (21) OFF BRANDON BACKE IN THE 4TH, 0 ON
CARLOS MALDONADO (1) OFF MARK MCLEMORE IN THE 7TH, 0 ON

HOU - CODY RANSOM (1) OFF PAUL MAHOLM IN THE 1ST, 2 ON
TY WIGGINTON (6) OFF TONY ARMAS IN THE 4TH, 0 ON
CHRIS BURKE (6) OFF DAVE DAVIDSON IN THE 8TH, 1 ON


TIME: 2:52 ATT: 35,715

PROBABLES: MIL - YOVANI GALLARDO (8-4, 3.99)
HOU - MATT ALBERS (4-8, 5.79)

PROBABLES: PIT - JOHN VAN BENSCHOTEN (0-5, 10.86)
SDG - JACK CASSEL (0-0, 4.66)</div>

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PITTSBURGH (3) AT HOUSTON (15) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pittsburgh Starting Lineups -- N Morgan CF, J Bautista 3B, F Sanchez 2B,
A LaRoche 1B, X Nady RF, J Bay LF, J Wilson SS, C Maldonado C, P Maholm LHP.

Houston Starting Lineups -- C Burke SS, J Anderson CF, H Pence RF, C Lee LF,
M Loretta 1B, T Wigginton 3B, C Ransom 2B, J Towles C, B Backe RHP.

Umpires -- Brian Knight (HP), Larry Poncino (1B), Jerry Meals (2B), Gary Darling (3B).

Gametime Weather: INDOORS.


PITTSBURGH 1ST: N Morgan walked. J Bautista grounded into fielder's choice
to shortstop, N Morgan out at second. F Sanchez flied out to right. A LaRoche
popped out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 0, HOUSTON 0.

HOUSTON 1ST: C Burke reached on infield single to shortstop. C Burke stole
second. J Anderson hit a ground rule double to left, C Burke scored. H Pence
flied out to right. C Lee flied out to right. M Loretta singled to center,
J Anderson scored. T Wigginton doubled to left, M Loretta to third. C Ransom
homered to left, M Loretta and T Wigginton scored. J Towles flied out to left.
(5 Runs, 5 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 0, HOUSTON 5.

PITTSBURGH 2ND: X Nady grounded out to shortstop. J Bay grounded out to
third. J Wilson homered to left. C Maldonado walked. P Maholm grounded out
to pitcher. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 1, HOUSTON 5.

HOUSTON 2ND: B Backe doubled to deep right. C Burke sacrificed to third,
B Backe to third. J Anderson singled to left, B Backe scored. H Pence flied out
to center. C Lee struck out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 1,
HOUSTON 6.

PITTSBURGH 3RD: N Morgan flied out to left. J Bautista flied out to
center. F Sanchez grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
PITTSBURGH 1, HOUSTON 6.

HOUSTON 3RD: M Loretta singled to center. T Wigginton flied out to center.
C Ransom singled to right, M Loretta to second. J Towles singled to left,
M Loretta scored, C Ransom to second. B Backe flied out to center, C Ransom to
third, J Towles to second. C Burke singled to center, C Ransom and J Towles
scored. J Perez relieved P Maholm. J Anderson singled to center, C Burke to
second. H Pence reached on infield single to third, C Burke to third,
J Anderson to second. C Lee singled to center, C Burke and J Anderson scored,
H Pence to second. M Loretta flied out to right. (5 Runs, 7 Hits, 0 Errors)
PITTSBURGH 1, HOUSTON 11.

PITTSBURGH 4TH: A LaRoche flied out to right. X Nady struck out swinging.
J Bay homered to right center. J Wilson doubled to deep center. C Maldonado
grounded out to pitcher. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 2, HOUSTON 11.

HOUSTON 4TH: T Armas relieved J Perez. T Wigginton homered to left.
C Ransom grounded out to shortstop. J Towles flied out to center. B Backe
singled to left. C Burke walked, B Backe to second. J Anderson singled to
left, B Backe scored, C Burke to second. H Pence grounded into fielder's
choice to shortstop, J Anderson out at second. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors)
PITTSBURGH 2, HOUSTON 13.

PITTSBURGH 5TH: M Kata hit for T Armas. M Kata flied out to left. N Morgan
flied out to left. J Bautista flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
PITTSBURGH 2, HOUSTON 13.

HOUSTON 5TH: B Bullington relieved T Armas. M Kata at third base. C Lee
flied out to right. M Loretta flied out to right. T Wigginton singled to
left. C Ransom flied out to center. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 2,
HOUSTON 13.

PITTSBURGH 6TH: E Bruntlett in left field. J Castillo hit for F Sanchez.
J Castillo popped out to first. A LaRoche struck out swinging. X Nady popped
out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 2, HOUSTON 13.

HOUSTON 6TH: J Castillo at second base. C Izturis at shortstop. J Towles
fouled out to third. E Munson hit for B Backe. E Munson singled to center.
C Burke grounded into fielder's choice to third, E Munson out at second, C Burke
safe at first on error by first baseman A LaRoche. J Anderson singled to left,
C Burke to second. H Pence struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 1 Error)
PITTSBURGH 2, HOUSTON 13.

PITTSBURGH 7TH: M McLemore relieved B Backe. E Munson at first base. J Bay
struck out swinging. C Izturis popped out to first. C Maldonado homered to
left. M Kata fouled out to third. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3,
HOUSTON 13.

HOUSTON 7TH: E Bruntlett walked. H Quintero hit for M McLemore. H Quintero
grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, E Bruntlett out at second.
T Wigginton grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, H Quintero
out at second.(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, HOUSTON 13.

PITTSBURGH 8TH: B Ausmus at third base. T Miller relieved M McLemore.
N Morgan grounded out to shortstop. N McLouth hit for B Bullington. N McLouth
grounded out to second. J Castillo struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, HOUSTON 13.

HOUSTON 8TH: N McLouth in left field. J Phelps at first base. S Pearce in
right field. D Davidson relieved B Bullington. C Ransom grounded out to third.
J Towles fouled out to right. E Munson walked. C Burke homered to center,
E Munson scored. J Anderson hit by pitch. H Pence walked, J Anderson to second.
E Bruntlett singled to left, J Anderson to third, H Pence to second. B Ausmus
grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, E Bruntlett out at second.
(2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, HOUSTON 15.

PITTSBURGH 9TH: B Moehler relieved T Miller. J Phelps flied out to center.
S Pearce popped out to shortstop. R Paulino hit for D Davidson. R Paulino
lined out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, HOUSTON 15.</div>