The one game euphoria I had after Andrew McCutchen’s successful ML debut has been driven from my mind.
Mike Hampton and Jeff Fulchino combined to limit the Pirates to six singles and one run. Hampton went seven, allowing five hits, the lone run and no walks. He whiffed five.
The Astros went to work against Jeff Karstens and then Evan Meek in the sixth inning to bust open a two run game. Houston scored seven times in that six frame courtesy of four hits and four walks from the Pirate hurlers. Carlos Lee’s grand slam was the highlight (lowlight) of the inning.
The Good
Delwyn Young had two hits.
Sean Burnett and Jesse Chavez each tossed an inning of scoreless relief.
The Bad
This was probably Karstens’ worst outing of the year. He went 5-2/3 and allowed six of the nine Houston tallies.
The Rest
You have to go back to 4-21-07 to find a game in which Karstens allowed six or more earned runs.
Delwyn Young has multiple hits in five of the 11 games he has started. He is also 6-15 as a pinch hitter.
Former Pirate Matt Kata hit into a double play as a pinch hitter for Houston. It was just his third MLB AB since 2007.
That was the 14th career Salami from Lee. He is tied for sixth among active players in career grand slams.
