7/5 Recap | Pirates 2 Astros 0

Jeff Karstens is back. He pitched eight shut out innings on Thursday as the Pirates completed their first four game sweep since 2006. Karstens gave up just four hits on and one walk while striking out eight. It was arguably the best start of the year by a Pirates pitcher. Joel Hanrahan came in for the ninth despite Karstens throwing just 89 pitches and got his 22nd save of the year despite allowing two walks.

The offense had a bit of a down game, but did enough to get the win. Bud Norris continued his strong stretch of career starts against the Pirates, throwing seven innings and allowing just two runs on five hits. The offense came from Garrett Jones and Casey McGehee, who hit back to back doubles for the first run of the game in the second inning. Jones would come just feet away from a grand slam in the third that would end up going for a sacrifice fly that scored Karstens, who led off the inning with a great at-bat that ended in a single.

Your Bucs have won four games in a row and eight of their last nine to get to ten games over .500. They take on the San Francisco Giants in a weekend series starting tomorrow night at 7:05. Erik Bedard takes on Barry Zito.