Pittsburgh Pirates vs Houston Astros
2:05 PM ET, June 16, 2011
Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
The Pittsburgh Pirates came to Houston with three wins in their last 22 games at Minute Maid Park. They have a chance to leave with three in as many days.
With a winning record at their latest point in a season since 1999, the Pirates try to complete their first three-game sweep of 2011 and match a season high with a fourth consecutive win Thursday afternoon against the Astros.
Pittsburgh (34-33) has hovered around the .500 mark for much of this season, but getting above it hasn't been easy.
Playing in Houston in recent years has been just as difficult for the Pirates, but they've finally solved their recent road woes against the Astros (25-44) -- while rising above .500 in the process.
A pitching staff with a major league-best 2.79 ERA since May 18 starred in Tuesday's 1-0 win, but Wednesday the much-maligned offense stepped up. After totaling 11 runs over the previous seven games, Pittsburgh broke out of its slump with 14 hits -- six for extra bases -- in a 7-3 victory.
The Pirates hadn't scored more than three runs in any of their previous 14 games in Houston.
With a winning record at their latest point in a season since 1999, the Pirates try to complete their first three-game sweep of 2011 and match a season high with a fourth consecutive win Thursday afternoon against the Astros.
Pittsburgh (34-33) has hovered around the .500 mark for much of this season, but getting above it hasn't been easy.
Playing in Houston in recent years has been just as difficult for the Pirates, but they've finally solved their recent road woes against the Astros (25-44) -- while rising above .500 in the process.
A pitching staff with a major league-best 2.79 ERA since May 18 starred in Tuesday's 1-0 win, but Wednesday the much-maligned offense stepped up. After totaling 11 runs over the previous seven games, Pittsburgh broke out of its slump with 14 hits -- six for extra bases -- in a 7-3 victory.
The Pirates hadn't scored more than three runs in any of their previous 14 games in Houston.
Watch Pittsburgh Pirates vs Houston Astros Live Stream Online Free MLB June 16, 2011
