Saturday, May 18, 2002
Astros 7, Pirates 4
The Associated Press
HOUSTON — Jeff Bagwell is coming around after a slow start.
Bagwell hit a three-run homer, and the Houston Astros extended their winning streak to a season-high six games Friday night with a 7-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Houston slugger has hit safely in 11 of 14 games, batting .346 with six homers and 12 RBIs during that stretch.
“Obviously, I haven't gotten off to the start I wanted. My swing right now is a work in progress,” Bagwell said. “Tonight it felt good, but I've got to be able to do that every night.”
Trailing 4-2 in the sixth, Julio Lugo walked and went to third on Craig Biggio's single. Bagwell then connected off Ron Villone (2-5) for his ninth home run of the season, giving Houston a 5-4 lead.
“That's the kind of guy he is. When a big guy comes into a big situation he does big things. Those are the situations guys like him want to be in,” Houston rookie Morgan Ensberg said of Bagwell.
Villone was tryng to get ahead in the count.
“I tried to throw a first-pitch strike and I left it up,” he said. “It was a fastball up and over the plate. He got a pitch he could handle and he did a lot with it. I'm more disturbed about the walk to the leadoff guy.”
Bagwell went 3-for-4 and scored twice. He tied Yogi Berra for 57th place on the career list with his 358th home run.
“Bagwell is one of the most dangerous hitters in the game, and he got us tonight,” Pittsburgh manager Lloyd McClendon said.
Houston added two in the eighth on Richard Hidalgo's bases-loaded walk and second baseman Pokey Reese's error.
Ricky Stone (2-1) pitched 2 1-3 scoreless innings for the victory. Octavio Dotel worked the ninth for his first save of the season.
Pittsburgh has lost five of six.
Jason Kendall led off the fifth for the Pirates with a single and moved to second when Kevin Young reached on a fielder's choice. Adrian Brown, pinch-hitting for pitcher Sean Lowe, lined a two-run double to give the Pirates a 3-2 lead.
“It was a big hit at the time, it just didn't hold up,” Brown said. “Everybody is swinging the bat slowly for us, but our hitting will come around.”
Pittsburgh increased its lead to 4-2 in the six when Brian Giles hit the first pitch of the inning into the right-field stands for his seventh home run of the season.
Pittsburgh took a 1-0 lead in the first inning after Reese advanced to second on a throwing error on third baseman Morgan Ensberg and scored on a single by Aramis Ramirez.
Houston moved ahead 2-1 in the second. Ensberg led off with his third home run of the season. Brad Ausmus reached second on consecutive errors by starting pitcher Dave Williams and scored on a single by Lugo.
Notes: RHP Wade Miller, Houston's opening day starter, allowed an unearned run and five hits in three innings of a rehab start for Triple-A New Orleans. Miller, who opposed prized Cubs prospect Mark Prior, has missed six starts with a pinched nerve in his neck. ... Houston closer Billy Wagner has not allowed an earned run in his last 10 appearances, covering 10 1-3 innings. In those 10 games Wagner has allowed only two hits and has recorded five saves ... Houston's Lance Berkman has reached base safely in 38 of 41 games this season ... Kendall has struck out only four times in 136 plate appearances this season.
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Astros 7, Pirates 4
