Astros at Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates offense has produced only 15 runs in the last seven games. They had a runner at third base with none out twice before falling 1-0 in the series opener against the visiting Houston Astros on Friday. Pittsburgh will try to come alive in the second of the three-game set Saturday. The Pirates will have to get more out of clean-up hitter Pedro Alvarez, who is 0-for-18 the last six games with eight strikeouts.
Houston has managed only eight runs in its last five games, but the Astros are 7-3 since April 30 and moved past the Pirates into third place in the National League Central. Chris Johnson, who had two hits Friday, is off to a strong start, batting .304 with 19 RBIs for the Astros. Closer Brett Myers continues to shine, allowing one earned run in 11 2/3 innings with nine saves in nine chances.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Houston, ROOT Sports (Pittsburgh)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH J.A. Happ (2-2, 5.34) vs. Pirates RH Charlie Morton (1-3, 4.61)
Happ has pitched well against the Pirates in the past, going 3-2 in his career with a 2.52 ERA in eight starts. Pittsburgh has batted only .216 against the left-hander. Happ allowed six hits, including two homers, and six runs – five earned – in his last start against St. Louis on Sunday. He has struck out 34 and walked 16 in 34 1/3 innings.
Morton has not fared well in his last two starts after earning his only victory. Morton surrendered 11 runs – nine earned – on 15 hits in 10 1/3 innings to drop two straight. Morton is 2-5 lifetime with a 6.59 ERA over 42 1/3 innings against Houston. Carlos Lee is 8-for-23 with four RBIs against Morton.
WALK-OFFS
1. Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen is 8-for-22 with three homers and five RBIs against Happ.
2. Houston’s J.D. Martinez, who has a team-leading 20 RBIs, is mired in a 1-for-29 slump and did not start the last two games.
3. Pittsburgh won all three series against Houston at home in 2011, winning six of nine games.