Recap: Houston vs. Pittsburgh
Sports Network | September 10, 2008
Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Miguel Tejada smacked a grand slam and Brian Moehler threw six effective innings, as the Houston Astros continued their torrid post-All Star break stretch with a 7-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, in the third installment of a four-game series from Minute Maid Park.
Moehler (11-6) gave up five hits and a pair of runs without issuing a walk and Hunter Pence helped the cause with a two-run home run for Houston, which ran its win streak to five.
The Astros, who have won 13 of their last 14 games and are an MLB-best 35-16 after the Mid-Summer classic, have moved to within four games of the NL wild card-leading Milwaukee Brewers.
Adam LaRoche homered and doubled with a pair of RBI and Nate McLouth had two hits and an RBI for Pittsburgh, which extended its losing streak to five games. Starter Tom Gorzelanny gave up three hits and two runs with a pair of walks and as many strikeouts before leaving with a finger injury after 2 1/3 frames.
Houston opened up a five-run advantage in the sixth off Denny Bautista (4-4). Jose Castillo led off with a single and moved to third on a double from Reggie Abercrombie. Pinch-hitter David Newhan walked to load the bases and Darin Erstad hit a sacrifice fly to center. Mark Loretta then drew a walk to load them back up with two away and Tejada blasted a grand slam over the left field wall for a 7-2 lead.
Wesley Wright allowed an RBI double to McLouth in the eighth and Adam LaRoche doubled in a run off Tim Byrdak later in the frame to make it 7-4 but Jose Valverde worked around a single from Doug Mientkiewicz in the ninth to record his 42nd save on the season.
Lance Berkman worked a leadoff walk in the second and Pence followed with a two-run homer over the wall in right-center but Pittsburgh cut the lead to one in the fourth when Adam LaRoche hit his 19th homer of the season.
The Pirates tied things up one inning later when Brian Bixler singled, moved to second on a sacrifice and scored on a Nyjer Morgan double to right.
The Pirates lead the season series 7-5 and are 3-6 on their current 10-game road trip...Pence extended his hitting streak to 11 games while Tejada doubled in the fifth to reach 10 straight games with a hit.
