Houston @ Pittsburgh preview
PNC Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 2, 2012 ) Houston 2, Pittsburgh 11
The Houston Astros attempt to halt a pair of skids against one of the hottest pitchers in the major leagues Tuesday when they take on A.J. Burnett and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Houston has lost five consecutive games overall and seven straight on the road. Things won't get any easier for the club against Burnett, who has won each of his last eight starts.
Pittsburgh used an 18-hit attack to take the series opener on Monday, its fifth win in six games overall and fourth in five home contests. Garrett Jones and Andrew McCutchen had four hits apiece, with Jones falling a triple shy of the cycle. The Pirates own the best home mark in the National League at 24-13, while the Astros are a major league-worst 9-29 on the road.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN (Houston), Root Sports (Pittsburgh)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Lucas Harrell (7-6, 4.33 ERA) vs. Pirates RH A.J. Burnett (9-2, 3.31 ERA)
Harrell is coming off a brilliant performance against San Diego on Wednesday, when he tossed a six-hit shutout for his first career complete game. The 27-year-old rookie has allowed one run in 16 innings over his last two starts after yielding five in each of his previous two outings. Harrell, who will be facing Pittsburgh for the first time in his career, is 2-5 with a 6.36 ERA in nine road starts this year.
Burnett, whose last non-victory was a no-decision at Houston on May 13, is looking to join Rip Sewell (11 in 1943), Dock Ellis (10 in 1971) and Steve Blass (nine in 1968) as the only Pirates to win nine consecutive starts. The 35-year-old allowed three runs and six hits over 6 2/3 innings at Philadelphia in his last triumph on Thursday. Burnett, who is 5-0 with a 1.11 ERA in seven home starts this season, is just 2-5 in eight career outings against the Astros.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Pirates have hit at least one home run in each of their last 10 games. It's their longest streak since a 10-game run in September 2005.
2. Houston has scored a total of eight runs over its last six contests.
3. Jones and Neil Walker hit back-to-back homers in the fourth inning on Monday, marking the third time in five games Pittsburgh has accomplished the feat.