GAME THREAD: NL: HOUSTON (41-56) at PITTSBURGH (41-55)

NL: HOUSTON at PITTSBURGH

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

CURRENT PITCHERS: HOU - WOODY WILLIAMS
PIT - SHANE YOUMAN (OUT)

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: M LORETTA (.307, 0-FOR-2, BB)
C LEE (.293, 0-FOR-3)
M ENSBERG (.229, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">HOUSTON (1) VS PITTSBURGH (0) - END 8TH - IN PROGRESS

HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Burke rf-cf 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 .226
H Pence cf 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 .330
L Scott rf 2 0 1 1 0 1 2 .232
M Loretta 2b 2 0 0 0 1 0 2 .307
C Lee lf 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .293
M Ensberg 3b 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .229
M Lamb 1b 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .301
E Bruntlett ss 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .298
B Ausmus c 3 1 2 0 0 0 0 .249
W Williams p 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .100

Totals 26 1 4 1 2 3 5

BATTING: S - W Williams. RBI - L Scott (41). 2-out RBI - L Scott. Runners left
in scoring position, 2 out - L Scott 1. GIDP - M Loretta. Team LOB - 4.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (M Lamb-E Bruntlett).


PITTSBURGH ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
N McLouth cf 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 .225
M Kata 3b 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 .353
F Sanchez 2b 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .296
A LaRoche 1b 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .243
X Nady rf 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .281
J Bay lf 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 .246
R Doumit c 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 .293
C Izturis ss 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .247
S Youman p 2 0 0 0 0 1 2 .143
a-J Phelps ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .267

Totals 28 0 5 0 0 3 9

a-flied out to left for S Youman in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - M Kata (3, W Williams). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out -
A LaRoche 1, S Youman 1. GIDP - A LaRoche. Team LOB - 4.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (M Kata-F Sanchez-A LaRoche).


----------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON - 000 001 00 -- 1
PITTSBURGH - 000 000 00 -- 0
----------------------------------------------------

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
W Williams 8 5 0 0 0 3 0 5.03

PITTSBURGH ip h r er bb so hr era
S Youman 8 4 1 1 2 3 0 3.24

Pitches-strikes: W Williams 91-61; S Youman 105-68. Ground balls-fly balls: W
Williams 10-11; S Youman 8-13. Batters faced: W Williams 28; S Youman 29.

UMPIRES: HP--Ed Hickox. 1B--C.B. Bucknor. 2B--Joe West. 3B--Ed Rapuano.

Weather: 75 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 10 mph, in from left.</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">NL AT PITTSBURGH - PITCHING CHANGE
PIT: MATT CAPPS (4-4, 2.28) STARTING THE 9TH
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 1, PITTSBURGH 0

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: M LORETTA (.307, 0-FOR-2)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">NL AT PITTSBURGH - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: M Capps relieved S Youman.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 1
PITTSBURGH 0 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: M Loretta (.307, 0-FOR-2)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at PITTSBURGH

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

CURRENT PITCHERS: HOU - WOODY WILLIAMS
PIT - MATT CAPPS

DUE UP FOR PITTSBURGH: M KATA (.353, 2-FOR-3)
F SANCHEZ (.296, 0-FOR-3)
A LAROCHE (.243, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">HOUSTON (1) VS PITTSBURGH (0) - MID 9TH - IN PROGRESS

HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Burke rf-cf 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 .226
H Pence cf 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 .330
L Scott rf 2 0 1 1 0 1 2 .232
M Loretta 2b 3 0 0 0 1 0 2 .305
C Lee lf 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 .292
M Ensberg 3b 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 .228
M Lamb 1b 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .301
E Bruntlett ss 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .298
B Ausmus c 3 1 2 0 0 0 0 .249
W Williams p 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .100

Totals 29 1 4 1 2 4 5

BATTING: S - W Williams. RBI - L Scott (41). 2-out RBI - L Scott. Runners left
in scoring position, 2 out - L Scott 1. GIDP - M Loretta. Team LOB - 4.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (M Lamb-E Bruntlett).


PITTSBURGH ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
N McLouth cf 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 .225
M Kata 3b 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 .353
F Sanchez 2b 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .296
A LaRoche 1b 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .243
X Nady rf 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .281
J Bay lf 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 .246
R Doumit c 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 .293
C Izturis ss 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .247
S Youman p 2 0 0 0 0 1 2 .143
a-J Phelps ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .267
M Capps p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.000

Totals 28 0 5 0 0 3 9

a-flied out to left for S Youman in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - M Kata (3, W Williams). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out -
A LaRoche 1, S Youman 1. GIDP - A LaRoche. Team LOB - 4.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (M Kata-F Sanchez-A LaRoche).


----------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON - 000 001 000 -- 1
PITTSBURGH - 000 000 00 -- 0
----------------------------------------------------

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
W Williams 8 5 0 0 0 3 0 5.03

PITTSBURGH ip h r er bb so hr era
S Youman 8 4 1 1 2 3 0 3.24
M Capps 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 2.24

Pitches-strikes: W Williams 91-61; S Youman 105-68; M Capps 11-7. Ground
balls-fly balls: W Williams 10-11; S Youman 8-13; M Capps 1-1. Batters faced: W
Williams 28; S Youman 29; M Capps 3.

UMPIRES: HP--Ed Hickox. 1B--C.B. Bucknor. 2B--Joe West. 3B--Ed Rapuano.

Weather: 75 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 10 mph, in from left.</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">NL AT PITTSBURGH - PITCHING CHANGE
HOU: BRAD LIDGE (2-1, 2.09) STARTING THE 9TH
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 1, PITTSBURGH 0

DUE UP FOR PITTSBURGH: M KATA (.353, 2-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">NL AT PITTSBURGH - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: B Lidge relieved W Williams.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 1
PITTSBURGH 0 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR PITTSBURGH: M Kata (.353, 2-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">NL AT PITTSBURGH - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: R Davis ran for A LaRoche.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, R DAVIS ON SECOND, 2 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 1
PITTSBURGH 0 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR PITTSBURGH: X Nady (.281, 1-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at PITTSBURGH

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

BATTERIES: HOU - WOODY WILLIAMS, BRAD LIDGE (9TH) AND BRAD AUSMUS

PIT - SHANE YOUMAN, MATT CAPPS (9TH) AND RYAN DOUMIT

HOME RUNS: HOU - NONE

PIT - NONE</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at PITTSBURGH

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

BATTERIES: HOU - WOODY WILLIAMS, BRAD LIDGE (9TH) AND BRAD AUSMUS

PIT - SHANE YOUMAN, MATT CAPPS (9TH) AND RYAN DOUMIT


WP - WOODY WILLIAMS (5-11)
LP - SHANE YOUMAN (2-2)
SAVE - BRAD LIDGE (3)

HOME RUNS: HOU - NONE

PIT - NONE


TIME: 2:11 ATT: 22,404

PROBABLES: PIT - IAN SNELL (7-7, 3.31)
NYM - JOHN MAINE (10-5, 3.07)

PROBABLES: LOS - CHAD BILLINGSLEY (6-0, 3.56)
HOU - CHRIS SAMPSON (7-6, 4.15)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">HOUSTON (1) VS PITTSBURGH (0) - FINAL

HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Burke rf-cf 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 .226
H Pence cf 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 .330
L Scott rf 2 0 1 1 0 1 2 .232
M Loretta 2b 3 0 0 0 1 0 2 .305
C Lee lf 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 .292
M Ensberg 3b 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 .228
M Lamb 1b 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .301
E Bruntlett ss 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .298
B Ausmus c 3 1 2 0 0 0 0 .249
W Williams p 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .100
B Lidge p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 29 1 4 1 2 4 5

BATTING: S - W Williams. RBI - L Scott (41). 2-out RBI - L Scott. Runners left
in scoring position, 2 out - L Scott 1. GIDP - M Loretta. Team LOB - 4.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (M Lamb-E Bruntlett).


PITTSBURGH ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
N McLouth cf 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 .225
M Kata 3b 4 0 2 0 0 1 0 .333
F Sanchez 2b 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .295
A LaRoche 1b 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .246
R Davis pr 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .267
X Nady rf 4 0 1 0 0 1 1 .280
J Bay lf 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 .246
R Doumit c 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 .293
C Izturis ss 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .247
S Youman p 2 0 0 0 0 1 2 .143
a-J Phelps ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .267
M Capps p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.000

Totals 32 0 6 0 0 6 10

a-flied out to left for S Youman in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - M Kata (3, W Williams). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out -
A LaRoche 1, S Youman 1. GIDP - A LaRoche. Team LOB - 5.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (M Kata-F Sanchez-A LaRoche).


----------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON - 000 001 000 -- 1
PITTSBURGH - 000 000 000 -- 0
----------------------------------------------------

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
W Williams (W, 5-11) 8 5 0 0 0 3 0 5.03
B Lidge (S, 3) 1 1 0 0 0 3 0 2.04

PITTSBURGH ip h r er bb so hr era
S Youman (L, 2-2) 8 4 1 1 2 3 0 3.24
M Capps 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 2.24

WP - B Lidge. Pitches-strikes: W Williams 91-61; B Lidge 17-12; S Youman
105-68; M Capps 11-7. Ground balls-fly balls: W Williams 10-11; B Lidge 0-0; S
Youman 8-13; M Capps 1-1. Batters faced: W Williams 28; B Lidge 4; S Youman 29;
M Capps 3.

UMPIRES: HP--Ed Hickox. 1B--C.B. Bucknor. 2B--Joe West. 3B--Ed Rapuano.

T--2:11. Att--22,404.
Weather: 75 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 10 mph, in
from left.</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NL
HOUSTON 1
PITTSBURGH 0 FINAL</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HOUSTON (1) AT PITTSBURGH (0) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HOUSTON 6TH: B Ausmus singled to left. W Williams grounded out to
shortstop, B Ausmus to second. C Burke grounded out to shortstop, B Ausmus to
third. L Scott singled to center, B Ausmus scored. M Loretta grounded out to
third. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 1, PITTSBURGH 0.</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HOUSTON (1) AT PITTSBURGH (0) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Houston Starting Lineups -- C Burke RF, H Pence CF, M Loretta 2B, C Lee LF,
M Ensberg 3B, M Lamb 1B, E Bruntlett SS, B Ausmus C, W Williams RHP.

Pittsburgh Starting Lineups -- N McLouth CF, M Kata 3B, F Sanchez 2B,
A LaRoche 1B, X Nady RF, J Bay LF, R Doumit C, C Izturis SS, S Youman LHP.

Umpires -- Ed Hickox (HP), C.B. Bucknor (1B), Joe West (2B), Ed Rapuano (3B).


Gametime Weather: 75 degrees, Partly Cloudy, wind in from left at 10 mph.


HOUSTON 1ST: C Burke flied out to center. H Pence singled to shallow
right. M Loretta grounded into double play, third to second to first, H Pence
out at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0, PITTSBURGH 0.

PITTSBURGH 1ST: N McLouth struck out swinging. M Kata doubled to deep
right. F Sanchez lined out to right. A LaRoche grounded out to first.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0, PITTSBURGH 0.

HOUSTON 2ND: C Lee flied out to left. M Ensberg flied out to left. M Lamb
struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0, PITTSBURGH 0.

PITTSBURGH 2ND: X Nady grounded out to shortstop. J Bay grounded out to
shortstop. R Doumit flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0,
PITTSBURGH 0.

HOUSTON 3RD: E Bruntlett flied out to right. B Ausmus grounded out to
third. W Williams struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0,
PITTSBURGH 0.

PITTSBURGH 3RD: C Izturis grounded out to shortstop. S Youman struck out
swinging. N McLouth fouled out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0,
PITTSBURGH 0.

HOUSTON 4TH: C Burke popped out to second. H Pence popped out to first.
M Loretta walked. C Lee lined out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
HOUSTON 0, PITTSBURGH 0.

PITTSBURGH 4TH: C Burke in center field. L Scott in right field. M Kata
reached on bunt single to second. F Sanchez popped out to second. A LaRoche
grounded into double play, first to shortstop, M Kata out at second.(0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0, PITTSBURGH 0.

HOUSTON 5TH: M Ensberg grounded out to second. M Lamb flied out to center.
E Bruntlett flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0,
PITTSBURGH 0.

PITTSBURGH 5TH: X Nady grounded out to third. J Bay singled to center.
R Doumit flied out to center. C Izturis singled to center, J Bay to second.
S Youman fouled out to catcher. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0,
PITTSBURGH 0.

HOUSTON 6TH: B Ausmus singled to left. W Williams grounded out to
shortstop, B Ausmus to second. C Burke grounded out to shortstop, B Ausmus to
third. L Scott singled to center, B Ausmus scored. M Loretta grounded out to
third. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 1, PITTSBURGH 0.

PITTSBURGH 6TH: N McLouth popped out to shortstop. M Kata grounded out to
second. F Sanchez grounded out to pitcher. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 1, PITTSBURGH 0.

HOUSTON 7TH: C Lee flied out to left. M Ensberg flied out to left. M Lamb
flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 1, PITTSBURGH 0.

PITTSBURGH 7TH: A LaRoche lined out to left. X Nady singled to left.
J Bay grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, X Nady out at second.
R Doumit struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 1,
PITTSBURGH 0.

HOUSTON 8TH: E Bruntlett flied out to center. B Ausmus singled to center.
W Williams sacrificed to pitcher, B Ausmus to second. C Burke walked. L Scott
struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 1, PITTSBURGH 0.

PITTSBURGH 8TH: C Izturis lined out to pitcher. J Phelps hit for S Youman.
J Phelps flied out to left. N McLouth flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) HOUSTON 1, PITTSBURGH 0.

HOUSTON 9TH: M Capps relieved S Youman. M Loretta grounded out to pitcher.
C Lee popped out to second. M Ensberg struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) HOUSTON 1, PITTSBURGH 0.

PITTSBURGH 9TH: B Lidge relieved W Williams. M Kata struck out swinging.
F Sanchez struck out swinging. A LaRoche singled to right. A LaRoche to second
on wild pitch by B Lidge. R Davis ran for A LaRoche. X Nady struck out
swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 1, PITTSBURGH 0.</div>

 

Williams pitches Astros past Pirates

<h3>HOUSTON 1, PITTSBURGH 0</h3>PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- Woody Williams' difficulties on the roadmay be coming to and end.


Williams pitched eight outstanding innings as the Houston Astrosedged the Pittsburgh Pirates, 1-0, on Sunday.


Entering the game with a 1-8 record and 5.58 ERA in 12 starts onthe road this season, Williams (5-11) allowed five hits and didnot walk a batter while striking out three. He departed after91 pitches.


After allowing three hard-hit balls in the eighth inning,Williams gave way to Brad Lidge in the ninth.


The closer allowed a two-out single to Adam LaRoche, who movedto second base moments later on a wild pitch, before strikingout Xavier Nady to earn his third save of the season.

Luke Scott's two-out RBI single off starter Shane Youman (2-2)in the sixth provided the lone run of the game for the Astros,who had just four hits. Scott entered the game in the fourthinning after rookie Hunter Pence left with a wrist injury.

Brad Ausmus scored the only run had two hits for the Astros, whohave won three of five.


Making his fourth start of the season and seventh of his career,Youman nearly matched Williams' performance.


The lefthander allowed one run, four hits and two walks whilestriking out three in eight innings. Youman also benefited fromtwo spectacular plays by center fielder Nate McLouth.

Williams, who hadn't pitched eight innings in a game since May7, 2006 allowed only five baserunners and did not permit aPittsburgh player to reach third base. He also made a shiningdefensive play, catching a sharp line drive off the bat of JoshPhelps to open the eighth inning.


Matt Kata had two hits for the Pirates, who have lost eight ofnine since the All-Star break.


Pence is day-to-day after leaving the game with a sprained rightwrist. An emerging candidate for National League Rookie of theYear, Pence is batting .330 with 12 home runs and 45 RBI.

 

Williams pitches Astros past Pirates

<h3>HOUSTON 1, PITTSBURGH 0</h3>PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- Woody Williams' difficulties on the roadmay be coming to and end.


Williams pitched eight outstanding innings as the Houston Astrosedged the Pittsburgh Pirates, 1-0, on Sunday.


Entering the game with a 1-8 record and 5.58 ERA in 12 starts onthe road this season, Williams (5-11) allowed five hits and didnot walk a batter while striking out three. He departed after91 pitches.


"I felt comfortable out there today," said Williams, who was 0-2against Pittsburgh this season. "They have beaten me up acouple times this year, but today I was able to get ahead andcontrol my pitches."


After allowing three hard-hit balls in the eighth inning,Williams gave way to Brad Lidge in the ninth.


The closer allowed a two-out single to Adam LaRoche, who movedto second base moments later on a wild pitch, before strikingout Xavier Nady to earn his third save of the season.

"He threw the ball so well, I just didn't want to come in thereand blow it because there's no telling how well the ninth couldhave gone for him," said Lidge, who regained the closer's joblast week.


Luke Scott's two-out RBI single off starter Shane Youman (2-2)in the sixth provided the lone run of the game for the Astros,who had just four hits. Scott entered the game in the fourthinning after rookie Hunter Pence left with a wrist injury.

Brad Ausmus scored the only run had two hits for the Astros, whohave won three of five.


"We scored six runs in the series and won two games," Houstonmanager Phil Garner said. "Sometimes this game baffles you, butwe'll take it."


Making his fourth start of the season and seventh of his career,Youman nearly matched Williams' performance.


The lefthander allowed one run, four hits and two walks whilestriking out three in eight innings. Youman also benefited fromtwo spectacular plays by center fielder Nate McLouth.

"That was the best game Shane Youman has pitched since he's beenhere," Pirates manager Jim Tracy said. "And it's a shame thathe pitches a game like that and we're unable to score."

Youman said he was pleased with his effort despite the hard-luckloss.


"I felt good," he said. "I threw my pitches for strikes. Imade big pitches in key situations and my defense was able tohelp me out in key situations. I felt pretty confident outthere today. Things just didn't work out in my favor."

Williams, who hadn't pitched eight innings in a game since May7, 2006 allowed only five baserunners and did not permit aPittsburgh player to reach third base. He also made a shiningdefensive play, catching a sharp line drive off the bat of JoshPhelps to open the eighth inning.


"(Williams) has been around a long time. He knows how topitch," said Cesar Izturis, who went 1-for-3 in his first startfor Pittsburgh after being acquired in a trade last week. "Hewas throwing strikes and his breaking ball was good today, soyou've got to tip your hat to him."


Matt Kata had two hits for the Pirates, who have lost eight ofnine since the All-Star break.


Pence is day-to-day after leaving the game with a sprained rightwrist. An emerging candidate for National League Rookie of theYear, Pence is batting .330 with 12 home runs and 45 RBI.