Pirates  2    Astros  4

Pittsburgh Pirates (54-85) at Houston Astros (69-72), 7:05 p.m.

Sports Network | September 12, 2009

(Sports Network) - The Pittsburgh Pirates will try to snap their 12-game road losing streak this evening, as they continue a three-game series with the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.

Pittsburgh hasn't won as the guest since August 11 in Colorado. It is just 18-51 on the road this year.

Playing the first of six straight on the road last night, the Pirates were slammed, 9-1, by the Astros. Andy LaRoche hit a solo homer to account for all of Pittsburgh's offense, as the club lost its fourth game in a row and 13th in its last 14 contests.

The Pirates might have a good feeling about snapping their road skid tonight with Ross Ohlendorf set to take the hill. After all, he is coming off the best start of his career.

Versus the Cardinals on Saturday, the 27-year-old set new career highs by pitching eight innings and striking out 11, but he got a no-decision in his club's 2-1 loss despite giving up just one earned run. The outing lowered Ohlendorf's earned run average since the All-Star break to 2.70.

"I feel like I've been much more consistent. In the first half, I pitched well at times, but too many five-inning, five-run outings. In the second half, I've been able to stay away from those," Ohlendorf told Pittsburgh's official Web site.

The righty is 11-9 with a 3.97 ERA overall this year, but is winless in his career versus the Astros. He has faced them six times, four of those starts, and is 0-4 with an 8.14 ERA. Ohlendorf has lost both starts against them this year, giving up eight runs over 10 innings.

Brian Moehler draws the starting assignment for the Astros and is just 1-2 over his last five starts despite a 3.90 ERA. He did not factor into the decision of Monday's outing versus the Phillies, one that saw him give up three runs over 5 2/3 innings.

The 37-year-old righty is 8-10 on the year with a 5.10 ERA. He is 1-2 with a 5.09 ERA in three 2009 starts against the Pirates and 6-7 with a 5.67 ERA in 17 lifetime outings against them, 14 of those starts.

Moehler will follow Bud Norris, who got the win last night after limiting Pittsburgh to the one run in six innings. He also struck out seven while getting backed by 11 hits.

"I'm still a rookie, I've still got a lot to learn," Norris said. "To get out here and to pitch with these guys and throwing to catchers and everything, I think really getting here and understanding this level is great."

Carlos Lee hit a three-run homer and Lance Berkman also went deep for a second straight game. He had gone 33 games without a home run prior to Thursday's long ball and last night reached the 20-homer mark for a 10th straight season.

Kaz Matsui finished 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI for the Astros, who have won six of eight.

The Astros have won nine of 13 against the Pirates in 2009, taking five of the seven matchups between the teams at home so far this year.