Pirates offense struggles in 2-0 loss
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HOUSTON -- J.A. Happ entered Wednesday with an ERA over 6.00 and the most losses in the National League.
He finished as another unlikely pitcher to dominate the Pirates.
Happ allowed just three hits in seven innings as the Astros beat the Pirates, 2-0, Wednesday night in front of 22,918 fans at Minute Maid Park, completing a three-game sweep.
Happ (5-15) never allowed more than one baserunner in each inning and struck out six batters, two shy of his season high. He walked one batter in his longest outing since April 15. All three hits he allowed were singles.
Happ's strong outing follows similar performances by Houston starters Wandy Rodriguez and Henry Sosa on Monday and Tuesday. Though Rodriguez, the Astros' ace, has long shown an ability to dominate opposing teams, Sosa was making just his fifth career start, and Happ's struggles this season have been well documented. His outing Wednesday was his only this season in which he did not allow an earned run.
But his good showing Wednesday likely had more to do with the Pirates' offensive struggles than his own strengths.
The Pirates' one, two and three hitters finished a combined 0 for 11. Entering Wednesday, the Pirates were hitting .244 in August, the fourth-worst mark in the National League. They managed a total of 13 hits in the three-game series, which is as many as the Astros had Tuesday night.
Houston had eight hits Wednesday.
The Pirates finish August with an 8-22 record, as many wins and one more loss than the 2010 Pirates. They started the month two games over .500. Now, the Pirates (62-74) are 12 games under. They were swept four times this month and only once won back-to-back games.
The Astros (47-90) have now won four of their past five games against the Pirates after starting the season 1-8 against the Pirates. They had won just one game in six previous tries at Minute Maid Park.
First Published August 31, 2011 10:37 pm
