=== Pittsburgh Pirates Team Report - July 11 === (My Sportsbook) - The Pirates will try to re-live last week's sweep of the Houston Astros at PNC Park tonight, when they open up a three-game set against the Astros. The Pirates enter the set after a series split with Milwaukee at Miller Park. Pittsburgh has won six of its last eight overall, including a 5-4 win over the Brewers on Thursday. Jeff Suppan tossed his second complete game of the season to lead the Pirates to the win. Suppan (8-7), who has won his last three starts, allowed four runs and eight hits with nine strikeouts and no walks. Despite allowing three homers, Suppan improved to 5-1 lifetime versus Milwaukee. Aramis Ramirez hit a three-run homer and Reggie Sanders went 3-for-4 with a home run for the Pirates, who are 15-9 in their last 24 games. Pittsburgh is now 15-15 in one-run games this season. Jason Kendall is riding a major league-high 15-game hitting streak after registering a 1-for-5 day. Despite the Pirates' sweep last week, the Astros still own a 7-4 advantage in the 2003 series, including a 4-0 mark at Minute Maid Park. Houston is 18-10 against the Pirates since the start of last season. Since coming off the disabled list June 9, Matt Stairs has hit .394 (28- for-71) with seven doubles, nine home runs and 18 RBI. The Pirates already have 17 triples this season. They had 20 all of last season. |
