Post-Game: Karstens throws complete game Shutout for First Place Pirates

Pirates 4 – Astros 0 W: Jeff Karstens (8-4, 2.34 ERA) L: Brett Myers (3-10, 4.86 ERA) First Place Pirates — The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Houston Astros 4-0 on Friday night, improving to 48-43 on the season. The Pirates moved into first place with the win. The Cincinnati Reds (46-47) defeated the St. Louis Cardinals (49-44) 6-5 with a Brandon Phillips walkoff homer and the Colorado Rockies shutout the Milwaukee Brewers (49-44), 4-0. Karstens throws 2nd career shutout game — In nine days rest, Jeff Karstens (8-4, 2.34) was calm and composed, earning his 8th win of the season with a complete game shutout, the second of his career. Karstens allowed 5 hits and 0 runs, while striking out

Berkman powers Astros to 6-3 win

Pirates drop second in a row Inconsistency was expected to follow the Pirates this season and it has so far. The Pirates have scored 30 runs in their four wins and just eight runs in their five losses. Lance Berkman hit a three-run homer in the 6th inning off of Sean Burnett to break a 3-3 tie as the Astros rallied to a 6-3 win, Thursday afternoon at PNC Park The Pirates got off to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning as Nyjer Morgan scored on a Russ Ortiz wild pitch and Adam Laroche doubled to deep center, scoring Nate McLouth. In the second inning, Nyjer Morgan tripled to deep right center, scoring Jeff Karstens, giving the Pirates

Duke throws CG, 4-hit shutout in 7-0 win

In front of a sell out crowd, Zach Duke threw a four hit, complete game shutout leading the Pittsburgh Pirates (4-3) to a 7-0 victory over the Houston Astros (1-6), Monday afternoon at PNC Park. Duke (2-0) is off to a strong start after a 5-14 season in 2008 and credits pitching coach Joe Kerrigan for the turnaround. Duke’s complete game shutout was the first by a Pirates pitcher in a home opener since 1978 While Duke dominated on the pitchers mound, Freddy Sanchez had three doubles, starting a five run third inning for the Pirates. Adam LaRoche who is notoriously a slow starter in April had three hits including a two run homer in the third inning to give

MLB: Astros sign Jason Michaels

The Houston Astros have signed former Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Jason Michaels to a one-year deal worth $750K. Michaels hit .228/.300/.382 in 254 plate appearances for the Pirates in 08 while earning $2.15MM. The Pirates did not make an offical offer to the 33 year old outfielder.