Weather halts Pirates again in Pittsburgh

Tuesday's postponement was the second in the current 10-game homestand.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
PITTSBURGH -- Doubleheaders are beginning to pile up for the last-place Pittsburgh Pirates.
Anticipating one of the smallest crowds ever at PNC Park, the Pirates' front office canceled Tuesday evening's game against the third-place Houston Astros a little less than two hours before the first pitch.
Citing wintry conditions, the Pirates rescheduled the game for a twi-night doubleheader on Sept. 9, beginning at 5:05 p.m.
"Temperatures are supposed to drop severely," Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon said after the cancellation. "The wind-chill factor is supposed to be 25-27 degrees.
"Those conditions are just not conducive to playing baseball," McClendon said. "And you don't want to risk hurting a pitcher."
Rotation pushed back
Unlike Astros manager Jimy Williams, McClendon chose to push everyone in his rotation back one day. Josh Fogg (0-3, 17.00 earned-run average) will go tonight (7:05) against Houston.
Williams took a start away from Tuesday's starter, Tim Redding (0-3, 10.22), and will go with tonight's originally-scheduled starter, Roy Oswalt (2-0, 2.15).
Pirates ace Kip Wells (2-2, 3.00) will pitch Thursday's matinee contest (12:35 p.m.), probably against Andy Pettitte, who is scheduled to come off the disabled list on that day.
This weekend in Milwaukee, the Pirates will send Kris Benson (2-1, 3.91) against the Brewers' Ben Sheets (3-1, 3.21) on Friday evening.
Saturday, Oliver Perez (2-0, 1.74) will pitch against Wes Obermueller (1-1, 6.98).
Second in six days
Tuesday's postponement was the second in six days for the Bucs, and second in the current 10-game homestand (1-5). Last Thursday's game against the Cubs was washed out and will be made up as part of a twi-night doubleheader on May 28 (5:05 p.m.).
The Pirates (8-10) have lost five of their past six games and began Tuesday as the only National League Central Division team with a record below .500, trailing the first-place Cubs and Reds by 31/2 games.
Pittsburgh has a 5-1 record against the East Division's Phillies and Mets, but a 3-9 mark against the Central rivals.
A big part of the problem is the Bucs are hitting .248 (40-161) with baserunners in scoring position.
Poor starts haven't helped -- the Bucs have been outscored 20-7 in the first inning and 46-22 over the first three frames.
Could be worst
The current homestand could end up being the worst for the Bucs since PNC Park opened in 2001. That year, the Bucs had a 1-5 homestand.
Fortunately for the Bucs, they've had some recent success against Houston. Last year, the Pirates won five of the nine games they played against the Astros at PNC Park.
While hitting was expected to be one of this year's biggest flaws, the Pirates have four regular position players batting above .300 -- shortstop Jack Wilson (.397), outfielder/first baseman Craig Wilson (.382), catcher Jason Kendall (.328) and outfielder Raul Mondesi (.319).
Utility player Craig Wilson has played in all 18 games and reached base in 17 of them. He leads the Pirates in homers (five) and RBIs (11).
williams@vindy.com