The struggling Stros are showing signs of life thanks to the lowly Pirates as they reeled off their third win in a row at the Juice Box on Tuesday night, 5-4.
Roy O pitched a gutty eight innings, giving up nine hits but no walks, and threw an incredible 24 first pitch strikes to the 33 batters that he faced. Morgan Ensberg came up with the key hit, a two out, two run triple in the seventh that came after the Stros had left a bushel full of runners on base in scoring position with less than two outs throughout the game.
You have to feel good for Ensberg getting the big hit, but the reality is that he has been extremely disappointing this season, with no yaks (after hitting 25 taters last season) and a paltry slugging percentage of .358, which is the same as the light-hitting Viz. In comparison, Barry Bonds, Jr.’s is slugging at an incredible .633 and Bidg, Bags and Kent are all ranging between .470 and .510, which is where Ensberg should be.
Pete Munro takes the hill tomorrow night as the Stros try to keep it going in the third game of the four game set with the Bucs. After the Thursday game, the Stros travel to Arlington for the first part of their annual home and home series with the Rangers.