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Pirates ride Karstens to 2-0 win over Astros

Posted: 6:58 PM Jul 5, 2012
Reporter: Associated Press

PITTSBURGH -- Jeff Karstens scattered four hits over eight innings and the surging Pittsburgh Pirates blanked the Houston Astros 2-0 on Thursday night.

Karstens (2-2) struck out a season-high eight against just one walk as the Pirates completed their first four-game sweep of the Astros at home since 1979. Joel Hanrahan pitched a perfect ninth for his 22nd save.

Garrett Jones and Casey McGehee each drove in a run for Pittsburgh, which has won eight of nine to vault into first in the National League Central.

Houston's Bud Norris (5-6) gave up two runs and five hits in seven solid innings but the Astros' offense sputtered a day after trading slugger Carlos Lee to the Miami Marlins. Houston managed four singles while losing its eighth straight game.