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GAME LOG
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The Astros acquired Roger Cedeno to make up
for the loss of Carl Everett. So far, their best move has been keeping Cedeno on the bench.
Jose Lima, disappointed he didn't start the opener, shook off control problems to pitch seven effective innings and Cedeno's
stand-in, Daryle Ward, homered in Houston's 11-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night.
The Astros, 1-5 in Three Rivers Stadium last season, have
outscored the Pirates 16-4 in the first two games. Much of the
scoring has been produced by those starting for Cedeno, who has a
sore elbow but may be ready to play Thursday.
Ward made the unexpected start Wednesday and went 2-for-3 with a
home run. Billy Spiers, who usually doesn't start consecutive
games, again was in the lineup and had a three-run triple.
The night before, Richard Hidalgo moved from left field to center to replace Cedeno and hit a grand slam.
"I try to get as many left-handed hitters as I can against
their starting pitchers," Astros manager Larry Dierker said.
"Their starters are tough on right-handers. It's not likely Spiers
is going to start two or three in a row at any other juncture, but
he might against this kind of pitching."
Lima (1-0), a 21-game winner last season, walked two and gave up
three singles in the first, including a hit by Aramis Ramirez that
drove in two runs. An extra-base hit might have driven Lima from
the game, but he settled down to finish up with six shutout
innings.
"I'm still disappointed because I wanted to pitch the opener,"
said Lima, who blamed his early problems on adjusting to the
chilly, 48-degree weather. "I just wanted to show I was capable of
starting the opener."
Just as Astros starter Shane Reynolds did in outdueling Jason
Schmidt in a 5-2 victory Tuesday, Lima outpitched one of the
majors' best pitchers during spring training, Kris Benson.
Benson was nearly unhittable at times this spring but, just as
Schmidt did, fought his control. He walked No. 7 hitter Hidalgo and
No. 8 hitter Tony Eusebio in a three-run third ahead of Lima's grounder that glanced off first baseman Kevin Young's glove for a
two-run error. Young led all major league first basemen with 23
errors last season.
"It's a play that, anywhere else in the stadium, looks routine,
but on the field is tough," Young said. "I was kind of blocked by
the runner, but it's still a play I should have made."
Craig Biggio followed with a run-scoring single that made it
3-2.
Benson, who gave up five runs -- two earned -- in six innings,
quickly got into trouble again in the third. Jeff Bagwell doubled
and Ken Caminiti singled before Moises Alou grounded into a
run-scoring double play. Ward followed with his solo homer to right
field.
Benson seemed to gain confidence throughout his strong spring,
so that may have been why he seemed unusually disappointed with the
loss. An 11-game winner as a rookie, he has lost eight of his last
nine decisions dating to last season.
"I'm not too worried about my control right now," Benson said.
"The key was their pitcher getting that ball in play. I don't
think this is going to affect us ... and I think the next time
we'll be fine."
Dierker noticed that Benson seemed to get uptight early.
"I really like their pitcher a lot," Dierker said. "He's a
young pitcher and it was his first start of the year. I think he
might have had a little more emotion than he usually does. He
doesn't show it like Lima does but, watching his control and from
watching him last year, it looked like he was a little too up for
the game."
Game notes
X-rays of Cedeno's elbow revealed a bone spur that will be
treated with anti-inflammatory medication. ... The Astros were 5-7
against Pittsburgh last season. ... Pirates 2B Warren Morris
(infected shin) took batting practice and hopes to play Thursday.
Mike Benjamin has started for Morris and has a pair of two-hit games. ... The Pirates did not lose a game Benson started this
spring. ... Pirates C Jason Kendall singled in the first inning, his first hit since severely dislocating an ankle in July. ...
Alou, who missed last season with an injured knee, has three hits
in two games. ... Ramirez was 3-for-3 and reached base four times.
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Chi. White Sox 12
Texas 8
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Detroit 2
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Cleveland 7
Kansas City 4
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Minnesota 10
Tampa Bay 7
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NY Yankees 6
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Houston 11
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