Mike Hampton pitched six great innings as the Astros defeated the Pirates 4-1.  
Houston came out early and scored in the first inning for the first time all season with a sac-fly from Lee and Pence.  Houston scored again in the third off of a two-run double from Carlos Lee. 
Bourn 0-2, BB, R, ends hit streak
Tejada 3-4, 2B, 2 R
Berkman 2-4, 2B, R, K
Lee 1-3, 3 RBI, 2B, Sac Fly, K
Pence 1-3, RBI
Blum 0-3, BB
Rodriguez 0-4, GIDP
Keppinger 1-4, 2B
Hampton 0-3, K
Erstad 0-1, K

 

The real story of today’s game is the performance by Mike Hampton.

Pitching line:
Mike Hampton 6 IP, 8K, 1BB, 4 hits, no runs allowed
Geoff Geary 1 IP, 1BB, 2 hits, no runs allowed
LaTroy Hawkins 1 IP, 0 BB, 1 hit, nor runs allowed
Jose Valverde 1 IP, 1K 2 hits, 0BB, HR, 1 earned run. 
Good News: Tejada, Berkman, Lee went 6-11 today producing three RBI.  The best news, however, is Mike Hampton who is today's MVP for the game after helping Houston snap their five-game losing streak.
Bad News: Houston left six runners on base. Michael Bourn also went 0-for ending his hitting streak.  However he did get on base in his first at bat with a walk and eventually scored a run.
Mike Hampton W (1-1)
Houston (2-6)

 

Tomorrow is the first game for Russ Ortiz and he will face Jeff Karstens. 

Game time tomorrow is early, 11:35 a.m. central