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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Houston walked Brian Giles to pitch to Aramis
Ramirez.
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| Ramirez |
Bad decision.
Ramirez hit a tiebreaking two-run single in the sixth inning
Monday night as the Pirates beat the Astros 3-0.
"Giles is a far better hitter than Ramirez," Astros manager
Larry Dierker said. "You're hoping to get a double play. If you
don't walk him, you have to play the infield in. It's a
right-hander versus a left-hander and Giles is one of the best
left-handed hitters in the game."
Dierker was still convinced he was right when he saw Ramirez's
swing.
"As it was, he didn't hit the ball well," Dierker said.
Ramirez is a power hitter but his manager liked the way he
approached the situation, thinking contact and going with the
pitch.
"He was using the whole field," Lloyd McClendon said. "If he
hits like that all the time, he's going to get some big RBIs."
Ramirez said he fully expected to get the opportunity because
was certain the Astros were going to walk Giles.
"I think 29 out of 30 managers in the big leagues would do
that," Ramirez said
Jimmy Anderson (1-1), who had been 0-3 with a 12.96 ERA in four
career appearances against Houston, allowed seven hits in
seven-plus innings, pitching out of trouble as he stranded a pair
of runners three times during the first four innings.
"We stunk," Astros first baseman Jeff Bagwell said.
The Astros 3-through-6 hitters -- Bagwell, Richard Hidalgo,
Daryle Ward, Lance Berkman and pinch-hitter Moises Alou -- were a
combined 1-for-16.
"We're not going to win many games doing that," Bagwell said.
"We were just in a little bit of a team funk."
Mike Williams pitched the ninth for his third save, helping stop
the Pirates' four-game losing streak.
Wade Miller (2-1) matched his career high with five walks,
giving up two runs and three hits in six innings. Houston lost
consecutive games for the second time this season.
The crowd of 20,128 was the smallest in six games at new PNC
Park, including two exhibitions. The temperature was 45 degrees at
gametime, and it rained at times.
Miller didn't give up a hit until Pat Meares' leadoff single in
the fifth.
Jason Kendall walking leading off the sixth, Emil Brown singled
and a groundout moved up the runners.
Giles was intentionally walked to bring up Ramirez, who struck
out twice previously. Ramirez lined a 1-1 pitch to center for a 2-0
lead.
Third baseman Chris Truby's second throwing error of the game
helped the Pirates score an unearned run in the seventh. The
Pirates executed a double steal, with Jack Wilson scoring as
Kendall was thrown out.
Anderson left with two on and no outs in the eighth, but Alou --
activated before the game -- hit into a double play against Scott
Sauerbeck, who then struck out Berkman.
Game notes
Alou had missed the first 12 games with a calf strain. INF
Bill Spiers went on the DL because of lower back pain that has
bothered him since early spring training. ... After getting two
hits in his previous 11 at-bats, Julio Lugo had a double and single
in his first two trips on Monday. ... Pirates 1B Kevin Young did
not start for a second consecutive game. He has a minor groin pull.
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RECAPS
Boston 4
NY Yankees 1
Baltimore 6
Tampa Bay 2
Kansas City 5
Minnesota 3
Oakland 6
Anaheim 3
Seattle 9
Texas 7
Pittsburgh 3
Houston 0
NY Mets 4
Montreal 3
Atlanta 4
Florida 3
Philadelphia 0
Chicago Cubs 0
Arizona 2
St. Louis 1
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