Astros defeat Lincoln, Bucs

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

After struggling working out of the bullpen in the majors, Brad Lincoln is beginning to show he can be an effective starter.

Ryan Doumit homered and Lincoln, a former No. 4 overall draft pick, had another effective outing, but the Pirates lost for the seventh time in 10 games, 4-1 to the Houston Astros at soggy, chilly PNC Park on Tuesday night.

Lincoln (1-2) allowed two runs and five hits in six innings and has allowed seven runs in four starts since he was moved into the rotation.

“The thing we don’t take into account is the kid’s grown up a starting pitcher, all his life he’s been a starting pitcher, and whether there’s anything to that or not, maybe he’s thinking, ’I’ve got to be a different pitcher [when in the bullpen],’ ” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. “Who knows how they handle it or internalize it, but you go back to being a starting pitcher, you see how they handle it on the mound. He’s more confident, if nothing else.”

Brett Myers (4-13) allowed one run and four hits over 72/3 innings to earn his first win in 21/2 months as last-place Houston snapped a four-game losing streak. The right-hander had lost seven consecutive decisions.

Humberto Quintero had three RBIs, threw out a runner attempting to steal immediately before a home run and called Myers’ first win since he pitched a four-hitter in a 7-3 victory at the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 17.

“I’m happy because I know he hasn’t won a lot this year and it’s been tough for him,” Quintero said. “Maybe he’ll start winning now and we’ll see more wins next year.”

Myers, who skipped his most recent turn in the rotation to be with his wife as she gave birth to the couple’s fourth child, had lost seven consecutive decisions since he beat Los Angeles.

“I just try to go out there and get quality starts,” Myers said. “If I get a win, I get a win. I’m just trying to help this ballclub win games, but it’s always good to get a win for myself, too.”

The Astros have won four of their last five against Pittsburgh but are 2-9 in their past 11 against everyone else. Jimmy Paredes finished with three hits and Mark Melancon worked the ninth for his 17th save.

It rained for much of the game for the second straight day of the series, but there were no in-game delays. Monday afternoon’s game started 56 minutes late due to the weather, but Tuesday’s went on without a hitch despite temperatures falling into the 50s and wet conditions.