Jul 28, 2002 2 min read

HOUSTON (AP) – Roy Oswalt pitched eight scoreless innings as the Houston Astros blanked the Pittsburgh Pirates for the second time in three days, winning 3-0 Saturday night. After Kirk Saarloos pitched a six-hitter in Houston’s 8-0 win in the series opener on Thursday, Oswalt nearly matched his rookie teammate.

Oswalt (11-6) allowed four hits and one walk, striking out nine, to win for the fourth time in five decisions.

Billy Wagner struck out the side in order in the ninth to finish Houston’s fourth shutout of the year. Wagner has 20 saves in 25 chances.

Jeff Bagwell homered for the Astros (52-51), who have won three straight and eight of 10 games to move over .500 for the first time since April 8 when they were 4-3.

Jimmy Anderson (8-11) allowed three runs and 12 hits in seven innings for the Pirates, who have lost five of six games.

Houston stranded two runners in both the first and fourth innings before breaking through in the fifth.

Barry Wesson led off the inning with a triple and scored on Julio Lugo’s sacrifice fly.

The Astros added two runs in the sixth on Bagwell’s 18th home run and an RBI double by Brad Ausmus.

Pittsburgh didn’t have a base runner advance past second base until Jason Kendall tripled with one out in the sixth.

NOTES: Wagner struck out Aramis Ramirez in the ninth inning. Ramirez homered off Wagner for the second time this month on Friday night.