McLouth’s two-run single lifts Bucs, 4-3

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Almost six hours after it started, the Pittsburgh Pirates found the perfect time to get their first lead against the Houston Astros.

Nate McLouth’s two-run single in the eighth capped a three-run rally and Pittsburgh sent the Astros to their seventh loss in eight games with a twice rain-delayed 4-3 win that ended early Wednesday.

McLouth’s line drive to right on a 3-2 pitch off Doug Brocail (4-4) scored Jose Bautista and pinch-runner Luis Rivas. Adam LaRoche, who went 3-for-4, hit his 10th homer earlier that inning, starting the rally with two outs.

“It was a miserable night until the end there when we came out and won it,” said McLouth, who also homered. “It certainly makes it a lot easier to go home and go to sleep than it would have if we wouldn’t have won.”

The rain delays totaled 3 hours and 7 minutes — once in the top of the fourth for 2 hours and 39 minutes and again less than an hour later during the bottom of the sixth, when play was halted for 28 minutes.

“It was a long night,” Pirates manager John Russell said. “The guys stayed as loose as they could and tried to be as ready as you can. It’s a tough night for everyone. But when you play a game like this, it’s always great to come out on top.”

Hunter Pence and Carlos Lee hit home runs to account for the offense for Houston. Lance Berkman walked four times and Brad Ausmus reached base four times for the Astros, who lost a 17-inning game Sunday in Atlanta and blew two leads in a defeat to Pittsburgh Monday.

“We’ve had three pretty long days,” Astros manager Cecil Cooper said. “It’s been a little difficult for us.”

John Grabow (5-2) pitched two scoreless innings to earn the victory and Damaso Marte pitched the ninth for his third save.