St Louis (8-5) at Pittsburgh (4-11) 7:05 pm EDT
PITTSBURGH (Ticker) - Oliver Perez has found the going to be
tough since his breakout season of 2004. That trend could
continue Tuesday, when the Pittsburgh Pirates host hot-hitting
Albert Pujols and the St. Louis Cardinals in the second of three
games at PNC Park.
In 23 starts since going 12-10 with a 2.98 ERA and 239
strikeouts in 2004, Perez (0-2, 8.10 ERA) has gone 7-7 with a
6.11 ERA. He has lost his last two starts, allowing 14 runs in
eight innings.
Perez will have to figure out Pujols, who has driven in seven of
St. Louis' last eight runs on the strength of four homers, in
order to turn things around Tuesday. After homering in each of
his final three plate appearances Sunday, Pujols connected for
his National League-leading ninth homer in his first at-bat
against Pittsburgh on Monday.
Pujols' two-run homer provided all the support needed for Jason
Marquis, who allowed just one run and three hits in eight
innings of a 2-1 triumph. Pujols, who also doubled Monday,
needs two more hits for 1,000 in his career.
Seeking to give the Cardinals a 25th win their last 34 games
against the Pirates will be Jeff Suppan (0-1, 4.09), who is 6-1
with a 3.09 ERA in 11 lifetime starts vs. Pittsburgh. He
allowed one run and five hits in 8 1/3 innings to win his lone
start against the Pirates last year.
Pittsburgh first baseman Craig Wilson was held hitless in four
at-bats Monday after earning National League Player of the Week
honors. Wilson's 44 home runs at PNC Park are tied with former
Pirate Brian Giles for the most all-time.