Karstens Leads Pirates To 5-1 Win Over Astros
PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) -- The Pirates picked up another win against the Houston Astros, beating them 5-1 on Tuesday night.
The Bucs (45-41) moved four games above .500 which they have not done at this point in a season since 1992.
Matt Diaz had three hits and Neil Walker and Lyle Overbay two hits and two runs each for the Pirates, who have won four of five and 10 of 14.
Jeff Karstens (2.55 ERA) earned his seventh win, allowing just one run and seven hits over seven innings.
Brandon Wood, who has homered twice in his past four starts, was on base three times and had a run and three RBIs.
After Overbay singled to lead off the bottom of the second, Wood took the first pitch from Wandy Rodriguez into a sliver of seats in right-center for his fourth home run of the season.
Two innings later, Wood made it 3-0 with a two-out single that scored Walker, who had doubled.
Clint Barmes scored the only run for the Astros, hitting a home run at the top of the fifth.
The Pirates' added two runs in the bottom of the sixth with Michael McKenry's sacrifice fly and Karstens' bunt to make it 5-1.
Rodriguez (6-5) pitched six innings, allowed five earned runs and struck out six, bringing his ERA to 3.25.
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