FROM THE REAL ART SPORTS DESK
Astros finish trip with rout of Pirates

From the Houston Chronicle:

As the Astros eagerly packed their bags Sunday afternoon following a season-long, 11-game trip, they probably wished they could have taken the Pittsburgh Pirates home with them.

The Astros continued their dominance over the National League's worst team, pounding the Pirates 13-1 at PNC Park for their third consecutive victory. They finished the road trip 6-5 and improved to 10-3 against Pittsburgh this year.

And

The Astros, winners of four of their past five games, sliced a game off their deficit in the NL wild-card race for the third day in a row. They're four games behind the Cincinnati Reds in the wild-card chase.

The club will get a day off today — its first in three weeks — before opening a six-game homestand Tuesday, starting with three against the Milwaukee Brewers.

And

Rookie righthander Jason Hirsh (2-2), who gave up 10 runs in 2? innings in his previous start Tuesday in Cincinnati, rebounded nicely, allowing five hits and one run in seven innings. The Pirates loaded the bases in the fourth and fifth, but Hirsh limited the damage to one run.

"Confidence-wise, it was big," Hirsh said. "I got away from my game plan a little bit. I got a little timid with guys, especially the two walks (in the fourth). I was getting away from what I was trying to do. I tightened up at the end and made my pitches."

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You know, the only reason I mention this particular game--baseball, more than any other professional sport, seems to be much more about clumps of games--is because the pitcher who won it, Jason Hirsh, is the guy I saw live at Minute Maid a couple of weeks ago losing his professional debut. It was obvious then that he's a good pitcher, just as it was obvious that he was extraordinarily nervous, what with the Big Leagues and all. Anyway, it's nice to see that he's settling down and winning some games now. And, boy, do we need wins now. Amazingly, even though the 'Stros are still below .500 in the win/loss column for the season, they're still in the running for the playoffs. What a weird world we live in.

Heh. They just beat the Brewers a few minutes ago. I love this. If they make the playoffs again, it'll be sooooo in Houston style: fart around most of the year, and then pull it together at the last minute. Actually, that's kind of how I'm living my life.

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