DENVER -- Perhaps the most amazing number related to Josh Phelps' time with the Pirates is this: They have played 54 games since he was claimed off waivers in late June, and he has started only eight of them.

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Today

• Game: Pirates (RHP Ian Snell 8-10, 3.93) vs. Houston Astros (RHP Matt Albers 3-6, 6.14), 8:05 p.m., Minute Maid Park.
• TV/Radio: FSN Pittsburgh, WPGB-FM (104.7).
• Key matchup: Houston's Mike Lamb is 5 for 10 with a home run and three walks vs. Snell.
• Of note: The Pirates have 13 percent of their victories against the Astros this season, 7-2 overall and 3-0 at Minute Maid Park.

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This despite his going 15 for 31 with three home runs and 11 RBIs in those starts.

This despite his having the hottest bat, perhaps, on any roster anywhere, as was seen again in the 5-1 crunching of the Colorado Rockies yesterday at Coors Field.

Phelps' five at-bats out of the cleanup spot produced an RBI double, a two-run double after which he scored, a leadoff single, a strikeout that ended a string of eight times reaching base safely, and an infield single that led to an insurance run.

The box score showed 4 for 5 with three RBIs and an updated average of .323.

Seriously, can anybody find a glove for this guy?

"It's difficult," manager Jim Tracy acknowledged afterward. "But you know what? Josh knows his role, understands what it is, and he's a true professional about it."

Here is the problem: Phelps' only established position is first base, and that is where Adam LaRoche -- whose spot he took yesterday -- has batted .345 with 10 home runs since June 28.

As Tracy put it, "It's not like the other guy isn't hitting."

Phelps also is the third-string catcher. But Tracy and his staff see mechanical issues with his throwing that could result in opponents running even more than they do against Ronny Paulino.

"I'm not going to put him in a position to get embarrassed," Tracy said.

Phelps has been taking grounders at third base, too, but not terribly seriously from the team's standpoint.

What to do?

"We're going to keep him involved," Tracy said. "It's not like he's been sitting around for 7-10 days. He's pinch-hitting in key situations, and he's getting his starts on a day like today."

Phelps, true to Tracy's description, is not getting too eager.

"Pinch-hitting is a job, too," Phelps said. "I'm just working to do everything I can to be ready for anything they ask."

At the same time, does he feel he is earning more?

"You know, it's days like this when the manager gives someone else the day off and puts you in a position of responsibility, and ... when you do something with it, it gives you more confidence that maybe you'll get another chance."

The Pirates took three of four from contending Colorado and are 6-2 in their past eight games, one of the season's best stretches.

The latest success came largely from Phelps but also from a fine start by Paul Maholm, who limited the Rockies to one run in seven innings.

"Our offensive approaches are as good as I've seen since I've been here, and that continued today," Tracy said. "But credit our starting pitcher, too. He was terrific."

Maholm scattered seven hits, walked two and threw 58 of 89 pitches for strikes.

Most impressive was his work in the second inning.

He walked Todd Helton, then ran up a 3-0 count on Garrett Atkins before giving up a single. This is Maholm when he gets in trouble: Fall behind in the count, fall behind in the score.

But he struck out the next three batters -- Ryan Spilborghs, Yorvit Torrealba and Jamey Carroll -- all swinging, one on a slider and two on sweet curves.

"I threw everything for strikes," Maholm said. "I was able to get ahead early, make them hit my pitch."

Maholm improved to 10-14, including 5-2 in his past seven starts.

Colorado started its top pitching prospect, Franklin Morales, a 21-year-old left-hander making his second Major League Baseball appearance. And, unlike his successful debut, he did not last long against the Pirates.

After two outs in the first. Freddy Sanchez worked a five-pitch walk, and Phelps pulled a double to left to drive him home.

Jack Wilson and Sanchez had one-out singles in the third, and Phelps lashed the first pitch he saw to the gap in left-center. Another double, two more RBIs.

It is one thing to stay sharp while playing every day. But this?

"I've got a program that I'm sticking to, making sure I'm ready," Phelps said. "I'm not wasting any time, either. I've got an approach that I'm going to take a rip at the first good thing I see."

Jose Bautista's two-out single scored Phelps, and it was 4-0.

Shawn Chacon found trouble in the eighth, protecting a 4-1 lead, when two batters reached base after one out. But he fanned Atkins on a slider and got Spilborghs to pop up on a curve.

"His offspeed stuff was just outstanding," Tracy said.

Sanchez blooped a double with one out in the ninth, and Phelps and Jason Bay followed with infield singles for an additional run.

The good times could continue, too: The next stop is Houston, and the Pirates are 7-2 against the Astros.