(My Sportsbook) - The Houston Astros avoided the sweep yesterday against the Philadelphia Phillies at Veterans Stadium by a score of 10-7. Houston will head west across the Keystone State to take on the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates in a four-game set at PNC Park, starting tonight.

Despite losing two-of-three at Philadelphia the Astros have still won eight of their last 10 games overall.

Yesterday, Adam Everett finished 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored in the winning effort. Geoff Blum and Lance Berkman each hit solo homers for the Astros in the victory. Craig Biggio, Blum and Berkman each had two hits for the Astros.

Peter Munro (2-1) posted the victory after tossing one inning of scoreless relief. Kirk Saarloos started for Houston and was touched for seven runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings.

The game was Houston's last ever at the Vet. The Astros, who had dropped their previous five contests in Philadelphia, finished with an 82-98 all-time mark at the Vet.

Houston will send 26-year-old Scott Linebrink to the hill tonight. Linebrink has made three starts in six appearances this year, posting three no- decisions. In his last start, Linebrink allowed seven hits and two runs over five innings while walking two against Pittsburgh.

Linebrink is 0-0 with a 2.63 ERA lifetime against the Pirates. The righty has allowed 16 hits and four earned runs over 13 2/3 innings of action versus Pittsburgh.