HOUSTON Eighth inning damages Bucs

The Pirates enjoyed a 9-4 lead, but the Astros showed the ability to rally again.
HOUSTON (AP) -- The Houston Astros are making a habit of big-inning rallies.
Jeff Bagwell's RBI single capped a six-run eighth inning as the Astros beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 10-9 on Tuesday night for their fifth straight win. It was the third time this season Houston scored five or more runs in an inning to come from behind for a win.
"We've proven how tough this team is over and over," said Orlando Merced, who scored the winning run after stealing second. "Just look at the lineup and the guys on the bench. All of them are winners. It's just great to play on this team."
Never giving up
On April 2 after trailing 6-2, the Astros scored five in the ninth to beat Colorado 8-7 at Minute Maid Park. On April 16 after trailing 5-0, they scored five in the fifth inning and won 8-5.
"To come back from five down two different times says a lot about this club," said manager Jimy Williams, who was ejected for arguing balls and strikes in the first inning and watched the rest of the game from the clubhouse. "It shows you the kind of people we have in that clubhouse.
"We had some great at-bats tonight. [Nate] Bland did a great job of pitching for two innings."
Bland (1-0) recorded his first major league victory with two innings of scoreless relief. He pitched to one batter, throwing two pitches, Monday night before being taken out.
"Last night was a little bit of a shock. Then I win it tonight. It has just been ups and downs all over the place," Bland said. "It's not even real to me. People ask me how I feel and I don't even know."
Billy Wagner pitched a perfect ninth for his seventh save in eight opportunities.
Lance Berkman hit a solo home run, and Morgan Ensberg added a three-run pinch-hit homer for the Astros.
Bucs lose lead
Trailing 9-4 in the eighth, Houston loaded the bases with no outs. Scott Sauerbeck (0-3) then came out of the Pittsburgh bullpen and threw 10 straight balls, walking Gregg Zaun and Brian Hunter, to make the score 9-6. He then gave up a two-run single to Merced.
Blum hit a sacrifice fly off reliever Mike Williams to tie it before Bagwell's single scored Merced with the winning run.
"I certainly wasn't trying to walk people. I was struggling with my mechanics and before you know it the damage is done," Sauerbeck said. "My teammates put up all those runs. I feel like I let them down. I'm better than that. I'll go out tomorrow and get the job done."
Pittsburgh took a 3-0 lead in the first inning after Reggie Sanders and Jason Kendall walked and scored on a double by Randall Simon. Aramis Ramirez drove in Simon with a sacrifice fly.
The Pirates increased their lead to 5-0 in the second on a two-run single by Sanders.