SB Nation Pittsburgh - Pirates Vs. Astros: Jeff Karstens, Pitching Staff Lead Bucs To 1-0 Victoryhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48827/pitt-fv.png2011-06-15T10:00:55-04:00http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/rss/stream/19886292011-06-15T10:00:55-04:002011-06-15T10:00:55-04:00MLB Standings Update: Pirates Just Four Games Out In NL Central
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<p>After the completion of all of Tuesday night's games, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pirates</a> are currently just four games off the NL Central pace. Here are the standings:</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> 38-30</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a> 38-30</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Reds</a> 36-33</p>
<p>Pirates 33-33</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> 27-39</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Astros</a> 25-43</p>
<p>To fans of ... <i>any </i>other team, that might not seem like much, but for a Pirates fan, this late in the season, it's amazing.</p>
<p>The Pirates have two more games left against the falling Astros, too - Houston is 13 games out of first now, with few signs of turning things around. True, they're getting nice performances from <span>Hunter Pence</span> and <span>Brett Wallace</span> on offense, and <span>Bud Norris</span> (who the Pirates faced on Tuesday) and <span>Wandy Rodriguez</span> have been stable presences in the rotation. There's also a bit of help on the way from rotation newcomer <span>Jordan Lyles</span>, who the Pirates will face Thursday. But generally, the Astros' pitching staff has been very weak.</p>
<p>After the Astros series, the Pirates enter interleague play, and that will be a challenge, particularly when they face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Boston Red Sox</a>. For now, though, they're riding high, and they'll get even higher if they can take a winning record into interleague play.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-pirates/2011/6/15/2224734/mlb-scores-baseball-standings-2011-piratesCharlie Wilmoth2011-06-14T23:32:24-04:002011-06-14T23:32:24-04:00Pirates Vs. Astros: Jeff Karstens, Pitching Staff Lead Bucs To 1-0 Victory
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<p><span>Jeff Karstens</span> allowed three hits over 6.2 scoreless innings against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Houston Astros</a> Tuesday, leading the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pittsburgh Pirates</a> to a 1-0 victory at Minute Maid Park. The Pirates are now back to .500, at 33-33.</p>
<p>The win had a familiar shape for Pirates fans - strong pitching, and very little offense. The Pirates managed just six hits, all singles, and five walks. <span>Garrett Jones</span> knocked in <span>Neil Walker</span> in the second inning to drive in the only run of the game. <span>Andrew McCutchen</span> extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a single in the sixth. <span>Bud Norris</span> struck out nine batters for the Astros, mostly using low sliders to fool hitters. </p>
<p>The Pirates used four relievers in 1.1 innings to get from Karstens to <span>Joel Hanrahan</span>, who pitched a perfect ninth for his 18th save. Those four relievers (<span>Chris Resop</span>, <span>Tony Watson</span>, <span>Tim Wood</span> and <span>Jose Veras</span>) escaped without harm, obviously, but the fact that Clint Hurdle used so many perhaps indicates his level of comfort with his middle relief corps right now.</p>
<p>In any case, the Pirates are back at .500, still just 4.5 games out in the N.L. Central.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2011/6/14/2336595/pirates-vs-astros-jeff-karstens-pitching-staff-lead-bucs-to-1-0Charlie Wilmoth