GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NL: PITTSBURGH (55-71) at HOUSTON (57-71)

NL: PITTSBURGH at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
- - - - - - - - -
PITTSBURGH 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
HOUSTON 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0

10 11 12 13 14 15 R H E
-- -- -- -- -- -- - - -
PITTSBURGH 0 0 0 0 0 5 8 15 1
HOUSTON 0 0 0 0 0 3 9 2 (BOT 15)

CURRENT PITCHERS: PIT - SHANE YOUMAN
HOU - TRAVIS DRISKILL

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: C LEE (.306, 2-FOR-5, BB)
M LAMB (.292, 3-FOR-6)
L SCOTT (.252, 1-FOR-5, BB)</div>

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">PITTSBURGH (8) VS HOUSTON (3) - MID 15TH - IN PROGRESS

PITTSBURGH ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
N McLouth cf 5 2 0 0 2 0 2 .248
M Kata 3b 5 0 0 0 0 2 1 .239
J Grabow p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
b-J Phelps ph 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .444
M Capps p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.000
S Youman p 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .091
F Sanchez 2b 7 1 1 0 0 2 5 .307
A LaRoche 1b 7 1 3 4 0 1 1 .266
J Bay lf 6 1 3 0 0 2 2 .253
J Bautista rf 7 2 2 0 0 0 5 .262
R Paulino c 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .240
a-X Nady ph 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 .294
C Maldonado c 2 0 0 1 0 1 0 .000
J Wilson ss 4 0 2 1 0 0 0 .275
S Chacon p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .273
J Castillo 3b 3 0 2 1 0 0 0 .254
I Snell p 2 0 0 0 0 2 1 .093
F Osoria p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
D Marte p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
C Izturis ss 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .252

Totals 58 8 15 8 2 11 21

a-homered to left for R Paulino in the 9th; b-reached on infield single to
shortstop for J Grabow in the 12th.

BATTING: 2B - J Bautista (30, M Albers); J Bay (21, T Driskill). HR - X Nady
(17, 9th inning off B Lidge 0 on, 2 Out), A Laroche (19, 15th inning off T
Driskill 2 on, 1 Out). S - I Snell. SF - C Maldonado. RBI - A LaRoche 4 (75), J
Wilson (40), X Nady (65), C Maldonado (1), J Castillo (20). 2-out RBI - A
LaRoche, X Nady, J Castillo. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - F
Sanchez 2, N McLouth 1, J Bautista 1. GIDP - J Bautista 2. Team LOB - 10.

BASERUNNING: SB - N McLouth 2 (12, 2nd base off T Driskill/B Ausmus, 2nd base
off M Albers/E Munson).

FIELDING: E - J Bay (8, bobble). DP: 1 (F Sanchez-J Wilson-A LaRoche).


HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Biggio 2b 4 0 0 0 0 2 0 .253
B Lidge p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
T Miller p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
b-O Palmeiro ph 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .233
B Moehler p 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .200
T Driskill p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
H Pence cf 6 0 1 0 1 1 3 .325
L Berkman 1b 6 0 0 0 1 2 5 .270
C Lee lf 5 2 2 0 1 0 2 .306
M Lamb 3b 6 1 3 0 0 0 1 .292
L Scott rf 5 0 1 0 1 1 4 .252
M Loretta ss 3 0 0 1 0 0 3 .279
E Bruntlett ss 3 0 1 0 0 1 4 .252
E Munson c 2 0 1 2 0 0 2 .257
C Burke 2b 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .229
M Albers p 2 0 0 0 0 2 2 .105
a-T Wigginton ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .265
C Qualls p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
B Ausmus c 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 .236

Totals 47 3 9 3 7 11 27

a-grounded to third for M Albers in the 7th; b-intentionally walked for T
Miller in the 10th.

BATTING: 2B - M Lamb (11, I Snell); E Bruntlett (4, S Chacon). S - T Driskill ,
C Burke. SF - E Munson. RBI - E Munson 2 (15), M Loretta (31). 2-out RBI - E
Munson. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - E Bruntlett 2, L Berkman 3, M
Albers 1. GIDP - L Scott. Team LOB - 12.

FIELDING: E - C Biggio (9, ground ball); M Lamb (10, ground ball). DP: 2 (M
Loretta-C Biggio-L Berkman, M Lamb-C Burke-L Berkman).


----------------------------------------------------
PITTSBURGH - 110 000 001 000 005 -- 8
HOUSTON - 010 000 200 000 00 -- 3
----------------------------------------------------

PITTSBURGH ip h r er bb so hr era
I Snell 7 6 3 3 1 6 0 3.93
F Osoria 2/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 2.70
D Marte 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.85
S Chacon 1 2/3 1 0 0 2 1 0 4.09
J Grabow 1 1/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 3.73
M Capps 2 1 0 0 2 2 0 2.18
S Youman 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 5.72

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
M Albers 7 6 2 1 0 6 0 5.71
C Qualls 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.09
B Lidge 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 3.13
T Miller 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 5.02
B Moehler 2 3 0 0 1 1 0 4.63
T Driskill 3 5 5 2 1 2 1 6.00

IBB - O Palmeiro (by S Chacon), L Berkman (by M Capps), L Scott (by M Capps).
HBP - J Bay (by M Albers). Pitches-strikes: I Snell 101-65; F Osoria 5-5; D
Marte 3-1; S Chacon 28-17; J Grabow 16-9; M Capps 26-14; S Youman 26-13; M
Albers 107-74; C Qualls 10-9; B Lidge 15-9; T Miller 12-7; B Moehler 40-27; T
Driskill 49-35. Ground balls-fly balls: I Snell 8-7; F Osoria 1-0; D Marte 1-0;
S Chacon 2-2; J Grabow 2-2; M Capps 3-1; S Youman 2-0; M Albers 7-8; C Qualls
1-1; B Lidge 1-1; T Miller 1-2; B Moehler 0-5; T Driskill 4-3. Batters faced: I
Snell 27; F Osoria 2; D Marte 1; S Chacon 8; J Grabow 5; M Capps 9; S Youman 5;
M Albers 28; C Qualls 3; B Lidge 4; T Miller 3; B Moehler 10; T Driskill 15.

UMPIRES: HP--Chuck Meriwether. 1B--Tim Timmons. 2B--Adam Dowdy. 3B--Alfonso
Marquez.

Weather: INDOORS.</div>

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL FINAL 15
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
- - - - - - - - -
PITTSBURGH 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
HOUSTON 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0

10 11 12 13 14 15 R H E
-- -- -- -- -- -- - - -
PITTSBURGH 0 0 0 0 0 5 8 15 1
HOUSTON 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 11 2 (FINAL 15)

BATTERIES: PIT - IAN SNELL, FRANQUELIS OSORIA (8TH), DAMASO MARTE (8TH), SHAWN
CHACON (9TH), JOHN GRABOW (10TH), MATT CAPPS (12TH), SHANE
YOUMAN (14TH) AND RONNY PAULINO, CARLOS MALDONADO (9TH)

HOU - MATT ALBERS, CHAD QUALLS (8TH), BRAD LIDGE (9TH),
TREVER MILLER (10TH), BRIAN MOEHLER (11TH), TRAVIS DRISKILL
(13TH) AND ERIC MUNSON, BRAD AUSMUS (9TH)

HOME RUNS: PIT - XAVIER NADY (17) OFF BRAD LIDGE IN THE 9TH, 0 ON
ADAM LAROCHE (19) OFF TRAVIS DRISKILL IN THE 15TH, 2 ON

HOU - NONE</div>

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL FINAL 15
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
- - - - - - - - -
PITTSBURGH 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
HOUSTON 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0

10 11 12 13 14 15 R H E
-- -- -- -- -- -- - - -
PITTSBURGH 0 0 0 0 0 5 8 15 1
HOUSTON 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 11 2 (FINAL 15)

BATTERIES: PIT - IAN SNELL, FRANQUELIS OSORIA (8TH), DAMASO MARTE (8TH), SHAWN
CHACON (9TH), JOHN GRABOW (10TH), MATT CAPPS (12TH), SHANE
YOUMAN (14TH) AND RONNY PAULINO, CARLOS MALDONADO (9TH)

HOU - MATT ALBERS, CHAD QUALLS (8TH), BRAD LIDGE (9TH),
TREVER MILLER (10TH), BRIAN MOEHLER (11TH), TRAVIS DRISKILL
(13TH) AND ERIC MUNSON, BRAD AUSMUS (9TH)


WP - SHANE YOUMAN (3-4)
LP - TRAVIS DRISKILL (0-1)
SAVE - NONE

HOME RUNS: PIT - XAVIER NADY (17) OFF BRAD LIDGE IN THE 9TH, 0 ON
ADAM LAROCHE (19) OFF TRAVIS DRISKILL IN THE 15TH, 2 ON

HOU - NONE


TIME: 4:58 ATT: 41,403

PROBABLES: PIT - MATT MORRIS (7-8, 4.51)
HOU - TROY PATTON (NR)</div>

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">PITTSBURGH (8) VS HOUSTON (3) - FINAL IN 15 INNINGS

PITTSBURGH ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
N McLouth cf 5 2 0 0 2 0 2 .248
M Kata 3b 5 0 0 0 0 2 1 .239
J Grabow p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
b-J Phelps ph 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .444
M Capps p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.000
S Youman p 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .091
F Sanchez 2b 7 1 1 0 0 2 5 .307
A LaRoche 1b 7 1 3 4 0 1 1 .266
J Bay lf 6 1 3 0 0 2 2 .253
J Bautista rf 7 2 2 0 0 0 5 .262
R Paulino c 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .240
a-X Nady ph 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 .294
C Maldonado c 2 0 0 1 0 1 0 .000
J Wilson ss 4 0 2 1 0 0 0 .275
S Chacon p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .273
J Castillo 3b 3 0 2 1 0 0 0 .254
I Snell p 2 0 0 0 0 2 1 .093
F Osoria p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
D Marte p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
C Izturis ss 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .252

Totals 58 8 15 8 2 11 21

a-homered to left for R Paulino in the 9th; b-reached on infield single to
shortstop for J Grabow in the 12th.

BATTING: 2B - J Bautista (30, M Albers); J Bay (21, T Driskill). HR - X Nady
(17, 9th inning off B Lidge 0 on, 2 Out), A Laroche (19, 15th inning off T
Driskill 2 on, 1 Out). S - I Snell. SF - C Maldonado. RBI - A LaRoche 4 (75), J
Wilson (40), X Nady (65), C Maldonado (1), J Castillo (20). 2-out RBI - A
LaRoche, X Nady, J Castillo. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - F
Sanchez 2, N McLouth 1, J Bautista 1. GIDP - J Bautista 2. Team LOB - 10.

BASERUNNING: SB - N McLouth 2 (12, 2nd base off T Driskill/B Ausmus, 2nd base
off M Albers/E Munson).

FIELDING: E - J Bay (8, bobble). DP: 1 (F Sanchez-J Wilson-A LaRoche).


HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Biggio 2b 4 0 0 0 0 2 0 .253
B Lidge p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
T Miller p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
b-O Palmeiro ph 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .233
B Moehler p 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .200
T Driskill p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
H Pence cf 6 0 1 0 1 1 3 .325
L Berkman 1b 6 0 0 0 1 2 5 .270
C Lee lf 6 2 3 0 1 0 2 .307
M Lamb 3b 7 1 4 0 0 0 1 .295
L Scott rf 5 0 1 0 1 1 4 .252
M Loretta ss 3 0 0 1 0 0 3 .279
E Bruntlett ss 4 0 1 0 0 2 7 .250
E Munson c 2 0 1 2 0 0 2 .257
C Burke 2b 3 0 0 0 0 2 3 .228
M Albers p 2 0 0 0 0 2 2 .105
a-T Wigginton ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .265
C Qualls p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
B Ausmus c 2 0 0 0 2 2 3 .235

Totals 52 3 11 3 7 14 36

a-grounded to third for M Albers in the 7th; b-intentionally walked for T
Miller in the 10th.

BATTING: 2B - M Lamb 2 (12, I Snell, S Youman); E Bruntlett (4, S Chacon). S -
T Driskill , C Burke. SF - E Munson. RBI - E Munson 2 (15), M Loretta (31).
2-out RBI - E Munson. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - E Bruntlett 2,
B Ausmus 2, L Berkman 3, M Albers 1. GIDP - L Scott. Team LOB - 15.

FIELDING: E - C Biggio (9, ground ball); M Lamb (10, ground ball). DP: 2 (M
Loretta-C Biggio-L Berkman, M Lamb-C Burke-L Berkman).


----------------------------------------------------
PITTSBURGH - 110 000 001 000 005 -- 8
HOUSTON - 010 000 200 000 000 -- 3
----------------------------------------------------

PITTSBURGH ip h r er bb so hr era
I Snell 7 6 3 3 1 6 0 3.93
F Osoria 2/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 2.70
D Marte 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.85
S Chacon 1 2/3 1 0 0 2 1 0 4.09
J Grabow 1 1/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 3.73
M Capps 2 1 0 0 2 2 0 2.18
S Youman (W, 3-4) 2 2 0 0 2 4 0 5.59

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
M Albers 7 6 2 1 0 6 0 5.71
C Qualls (H, 17) 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.09
B Lidge (B, 6) 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 3.13
T Miller 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 5.02
B Moehler 2 3 0 0 1 1 0 4.63
T Driskill (L, 0-1) 3 5 5 2 1 2 1 6.00

IBB - O Palmeiro (by S Chacon), L Berkman (by M Capps), L Scott (by M Capps).
HBP - J Bay (by M Albers); L Scott (by S Youman). Pitches-strikes: I Snell
101-65; F Osoria 5-5; D Marte 3-1; S Chacon 28-17; J Grabow 16-9; M Capps
26-14; S Youman 59-33; M Albers 107-74; C Qualls 10-9; B Lidge 15-9; T Miller
12-7; B Moehler 40-27; T Driskill 49-35. Ground balls-fly balls: I Snell 8-7; F
Osoria 1-0; D Marte 1-0; S Chacon 2-2; J Grabow 2-2; M Capps 3-1; S Youman 2-0;
M Albers 7-8; C Qualls 1-1; B Lidge 1-1; T Miller 1-2; B Moehler 0-5; T
Driskill 4-3. Batters faced: I Snell 27; F Osoria 2; D Marte 1; S Chacon 8; J
Grabow 5; M Capps 9; S Youman 11; M Albers 28; C Qualls 3; B Lidge 4; T Miller
3; B Moehler 10; T Driskill 15.

UMPIRES: HP--Chuck Meriwether. 1B--Tim Timmons. 2B--Adam Dowdy. 3B--Alfonso
Marquez.

T--4:58. Att--41,403.
Weather: INDOORS</div>

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NL
PITTSBURGH 8
HOUSTON 3 FINAL</div>

 

LaRoche helps Pirates outlast Astros

<h3>PITTSBURGH 8, HOUSTON 3 (15 INNINGS)</h3>HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Pittsburgh Pirates' offense finallydecided to wake up.


Adam LaRoche drove in four runs and sparked a huge 15th-inningrally as the Pirates posted an 8-3 victory over the HoustonAstros in Friday's series opener.


With the game tied at 3-3, Nate McLouth drew a leadoff walk andstole second after reliever Shane Youman bunted foul with twostrikes for a strikeout. Freddy Sanchez reached on thirdbaseman Mike Lamb's fielding error to set up LaRoche's three-runhomer off Travis Driskill (0-1).


Three batters later, Carlos Maldonado lofted a sacrifice fly,and Jose Castillo followed with an RBI single to left to cap theuprising.


Youman (3-4) tossed two scoreless innings for the win.

Pirates starter Ian Snell gave up three runs and six hits withsix strikeouts in seven innings. The righthander failed in hisattempt to win consecutive games for the first time since May.

The Pirates forced extra innings when Xavier Nady delivered hissecond career pinch homer in the ninth off Astros closer BradLidge, who blew his sixth save opportunity of the season.

LaRoche and Jack Wilson each registered run-scoring singlesagainst Houston starter Matt Albers as Pittsburgh improved to6-1 in its last seven outings.


Mark Loretta had an RBI groundout and Eric Munson added arun-scoring single during a two-run seventh against Snell tohelp Houston grab a 3-2 advantage.


Albers gave a solid effort, yielding two runs - one earned - andsix hits in seven innings while striking out six without awalk. The righthander labored early but retired 10 of the last11 batters he faced.


All-Star Carlos Lee opened the scoring for Houston in the secondwith his 27th blast, slicing the deficit to 2-1.

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PITTSBURGH (8) AT HOUSTON (3) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PITTSBURGH 1ST: N McLouth safe at first on error by second baseman C Biggio.
N McLouth stole second. M Kata struck out swinging. F Sanchez popped out to
first. A LaRoche singled to left, N McLouth scored. J Bay struck out looking.
(1 Run, 1 Hit, 1 Error) PITTSBURGH 1, HOUSTON 0.

PITTSBURGH 2ND: J Bautista doubled to left. R Paulino grounded out to
third. J Wilson singled to right center, J Bautista scored. I Snell
sacrificed to pitcher, J Wilson to second. N McLouth fouled out to third.
(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 2, HOUSTON 0.

HOUSTON 2ND: C Lee singled to left. M Lamb singled to left, C Lee to
second. L Scott singled to center, C Lee to third, M Lamb to second.
M Loretta popped out to second. E Munson hit sacrifice fly to left, C Lee
scored. M Albers struck out swinging. (1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 2,
HOUSTON 1.

HOUSTON 7TH: C Lee singled to center. M Lamb doubled to left, C Lee to
third. L Scott struck out swinging. M Loretta grounded out to second, C Lee
scored, M Lamb to third. E Munson singled to left, M Lamb scored. T Wigginton
hit for M Albers. T Wigginton grounded out to third. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors)
PITTSBURGH 2, HOUSTON 3.

PITTSBURGH 9TH: B Lidge relieved C Qualls. C Burke at second base. B Ausmus
catching. J Bay struck out swinging. J Bautista grounded out to second.
X Nady hit for R Paulino. X Nady homered to left. J Wilson flied out to center.
(1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, HOUSTON 3.

PITTSBURGH 15TH: N McLouth walked. S Youman struck out bunting foul.
N McLouth stole second. F Sanchez safe at first on error by third baseman M Lamb.
A LaRoche homered to left, N McLouth and F Sanchez scored. J Bay doubled to
shallow center. J Bautista singled to center, J Bay to third. C Maldonado hit
sacrifice fly to right, J Bay scored, J Bautista to second. J Castillo singled
to left, J Bautista scored. C Izturis flied out to right. (5 Runs, 4 Hits,
1 Error) PITTSBURGH 8, HOUSTON 3.</div>

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PITTSBURGH (8) AT HOUSTON (3) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pittsburgh Starting Lineups -- N McLouth CF, M Kata 3B, F Sanchez 2B, A LaRoche 1B,
J Bay LF, J Bautista RF, R Paulino C, J Wilson SS, I Snell RHP.

Houston Starting Lineups -- C Biggio 2B, H Pence CF, L Berkman 1B, C Lee LF,
M Lamb 3B, L Scott RF, M Loretta SS, E Munson C, M Albers RHP.

Umpires -- Chuck Meriwether (HP), Tim Timmons (1B), Adam Dowdy (2B),
Alfonso Marquez (3B).

Gametime Weather: INDOORS.


PITTSBURGH 1ST: N McLouth safe at first on error by second baseman C Biggio.
N McLouth stole second. M Kata struck out swinging. F Sanchez popped out to
first. A LaRoche singled to left, N McLouth scored. J Bay struck out looking.
(1 Run, 1 Hit, 1 Error) PITTSBURGH 1, HOUSTON 0.

HOUSTON 1ST: C Biggio struck out swinging. H Pence lined out to center.
L Berkman struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 1, HOUSTON 0.

PITTSBURGH 2ND: J Bautista doubled to left. R Paulino grounded out to
third. J Wilson singled to right center, J Bautista scored. I Snell
sacrificed to pitcher, J Wilson to second. N McLouth fouled out to third.
(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 2, HOUSTON 0.

HOUSTON 2ND: C Lee singled to left. M Lamb singled to left, C Lee to
second. L Scott singled to center, C Lee to third, M Lamb to second.
M Loretta popped out to second. E Munson hit sacrifice fly to left, C Lee
scored. M Albers struck out swinging. (1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 2,
HOUSTON 1.

PITTSBURGH 3RD: M Kata grounded out to shortstop. F Sanchez struck out
swinging. A LaRoche reached on infield single to third. J Bay hit by pitch,
A LaRoche to second. J Bautista grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop,
J Bay out at second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 2, HOUSTON 1.

HOUSTON 3RD: C Biggio flied out to center. H Pence flied out to center.
L Berkman struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 2, HOUSTON 1.

PITTSBURGH 4TH: R Paulino flied out to center. J Wilson singled to right.
I Snell struck out swinging. N McLouth flied out to right. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 2, HOUSTON 1.

HOUSTON 4TH: C Lee walked. M Lamb flied out to left. L Scott grounded
into double play, second to shortstop to first, C Lee out at second.(0 Runs,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 2, HOUSTON 1.

PITTSBURGH 5TH: M Kata flied out to left. F Sanchez flied out to center.
A LaRoche struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 2,
HOUSTON 1.

HOUSTON 5TH: M Loretta grounded out to first. E Munson grounded out to
first. M Albers struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 2,
HOUSTON 1.

PITTSBURGH 6TH: J Bay singled to center. J Bautista grounded into double
play, shortstop to second to first, J Bay out at second. R Paulino grounded out
to shortstop. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 2, HOUSTON 1.

HOUSTON 6TH: C Biggio grounded out to third. H Pence grounded out to
shortstop. L Berkman flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 2,
HOUSTON 1.

PITTSBURGH 7TH: J Wilson popped out to shortstop. I Snell struck out
looking. N McLouth flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 2,
HOUSTON 1.

HOUSTON 7TH: C Lee singled to center. M Lamb doubled to left, C Lee to
third. L Scott struck out swinging. M Loretta grounded out to second, C Lee
scored, M Lamb to third. E Munson singled to left, M Lamb scored. T Wigginton
hit for M Albers. T Wigginton grounded out to third. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors)
PITTSBURGH 2, HOUSTON 3.

PITTSBURGH 8TH: E Bruntlett at shortstop. C Qualls relieved M Albers.
M Kata struck out swinging. F Sanchez flied out to center. A LaRoche grounded
out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 2, HOUSTON 3.

HOUSTON 8TH: F Osoria relieved I Snell. C Biggio struck out swinging.
H Pence grounded out to pitcher. D Marte relieved F Osoria. L Berkman grounded
out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 2, HOUSTON 3.

PITTSBURGH 9TH: B Lidge relieved C Qualls. C Burke at second base. B Ausmus
catching. J Bay struck out swinging. J Bautista grounded out to second.
X Nady hit for R Paulino. X Nady homered to left. J Wilson flied out to center.
(1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, HOUSTON 3.

HOUSTON 9TH: C Maldonado catching. S Chacon relieved D Marte. C Izturis at
shortstop. C Lee flied out to center. M Lamb flied out to left. L Scott
grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, HOUSTON 3.

PITTSBURGH 10TH: T Miller relieved B Lidge. C Izturis flied out to right.
N McLouth flied out to right. M Kata grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, HOUSTON 3.

HOUSTON 10TH: E Bruntlett doubled to deep left center. C Burke sacrificed
to pitcher, E Bruntlett to third. B Ausmus walked. O Palmeiro hit for
T Miller. O Palmeiro intentionally walked, B Ausmus to second. H Pence struck
out swinging. J Grabow relieved S Chacon. J Castillo at third base. L Berkman
grounded into fielder's choice to second, O Palmeiro out at second. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, HOUSTON 3.

PITTSBURGH 11TH: B Moehler relieved T Miller. F Sanchez singled to right.
A LaRoche flied out to left. J Bay lined out to left. J Bautista lined out to
center. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, HOUSTON 3.

HOUSTON 11TH: C Lee flied out to center. M Lamb singled to right. L Scott
popped out to second. E Bruntlett grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, HOUSTON 3.

PITTSBURGH 12TH: C Maldonado popped out to first. J Castillo singled to
right. C Izturis lined out to center. N McLouth walked, J Castillo to second.
J Phelps hit for J Grabow. J Phelps reached on infield single to shortstop,
J Castillo to third, N McLouth to second. F Sanchez struck out swinging.
(0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, HOUSTON 3.

HOUSTON 12TH: M Capps relieved J Grabow. C Burke grounded out to shortstop.
B Ausmus struck out swinging. B Moehler grounded out to pitcher. (0 Runs,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, HOUSTON 3.

PITTSBURGH 13TH: T Driskill relieved B Moehler. A LaRoche flied out to
left. J Bay singled to center. J Bautista grounded into double play, third to
second to first, J Bay out at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3,
HOUSTON 3.

HOUSTON 13TH: H Pence singled to left, H Pence to second on error by left
fielder J Bay. L Berkman intentionally walked. C Lee flied out to left.
M Lamb grounded out to pitcher, H Pence to third, L Berkman to second. L Scott
intentionally walked. E Bruntlett struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
1 Error) PITTSBURGH 3, HOUSTON 3.

PITTSBURGH 14TH: C Maldonado struck out swinging. J Castillo grounded out
to shortstop. C Izturis grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
PITTSBURGH 3, HOUSTON 3.

HOUSTON 14TH: S Youman relieved M Capps. C Burke struck out looking.
B Ausmus walked. T Driskill sacrificed to pitcher, B Ausmus to second. H Pence
walked. L Berkman grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
PITTSBURGH 3, HOUSTON 3.

PITTSBURGH 15TH: N McLouth walked. S Youman struck out bunting foul.
N McLouth stole second. F Sanchez safe at first on error by third baseman M Lamb.
A LaRoche homered to left, N McLouth and F Sanchez scored. J Bay doubled to
shallow center. J Bautista singled to center, J Bay to third. C Maldonado hit
sacrifice fly to right, J Bay scored, J Bautista to second. J Castillo singled
to left, J Bautista scored. C Izturis flied out to right. (5 Runs, 4 Hits,
1 Error) PITTSBURGH 8, HOUSTON 3.

HOUSTON 15TH: C Lee singled to left. M Lamb doubled to deep center, C Lee
to third. L Scott hit by pitch. E Bruntlett struck out swinging. C Burke
struck out swinging. B Ausmus struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
PITTSBURGH 8, HOUSTON 3.</div>

 

LaRoche helps Pirates outlast Astros

<h3>PITTSBURGH 8, HOUSTON 3 (15 INNINGS)</h3>HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Pittsburgh Pirates' offense finallydecided to wake up.


Adam LaRoche drove in four runs and sparked a huge 15th-inningrally as the Pirates posted an 8-3 victory over the HoustonAstros in Friday's series opener.


With the game tied at 3-3, Nate McLouth drew a leadoff walk andstole second after reliever Shane Youman bunted foul with twostrikes for a strikeout. Freddy Sanchez reached on thirdbaseman Mike Lamb's fielding error to set up LaRoche's three-runhomer off Travis Driskill (0-1), who was making his first majorleague appearance since 2005.


"I knew I hit it all right, but I also knew they were playingback and I thought they'd catch it," LaRoche said. "But itfound that little corner."


"You can't ask anybody to anything more than these guys did,"Pirates manager Jim Tracy said. "There were so many differentaspects. There were so many big moments, and every time eitherour pitching staff came through or we got a big hit."

Three batters later, Carlos Maldonado lofted a sacrifice fly,and Jose Castillo followed with an RBI single to left to cap theuprising.


"That's the role they brought me up here to do, to pitch morethan two innings at a time if that's need be," Driskill said."It's unfortunate I made a bad pitch. Actually I started offwith a walk, that's something I can control."


Youman (3-4) tossed two scoreless innings for the win. Hestruck out the final three batters after loading the bases.

"I couldn't tell you how I did it," Youman said.


The 15th inning was the third time in extra innings that theAstros left the bases loaded.


"I think I've said it more than my fair share this year," Astrosmanager Phil Garner said. "We had a lot of chances and missedthem. We didn't make contact a few times. We just didn't makeit happen."


Pirates starter Ian Snell gave up three runs and six hits withsix strikeouts in seven innings. The righthander failed in hisattempt to win consecutive games for the first time since May.

The Pirates forced extra innings when Xavier Nady delivered hissecond career pinch homer in the ninth off Astros closer BradLidge, who blew his sixth save opportunity of the season.

"(Nady) is just a good hitter," Lidge said. "It wasn'tnecessarily a bad pitch, but he reached out there and got it."

LaRoche and Jack Wilson each registered run-scoring singlesagainst Houston starter Matt Albers as Pittsburgh improved to6-1 in its last seven outings.


Mark Loretta had an RBI groundout and Eric Munson added arun-scoring single during a two-run seventh against Snell tohelp Houston grab a 3-2 advantage.


Albers gave a solid effort, yielding two runs - one earned - andsix hits in seven innings while striking out six without awalk. The righthander labored early but retired 10 of the last11 batters he faced.


"The first couple of innings were real rough," Albers said."The fastball was working pretty good down, and fastballs andcurveballs down in the zone, too."


All-Star Carlos Lee opened the scoring for Houston in the secondwith his 27th blast, slicing the deficit to 2-1.