with Brocks words still ringing in his ears no one has rruled out

PITTSBURGH -- After splitting the first two games of their interleague series, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros will meet for the series finale Wednesday afternoon at PNC Park.Pittsburghs quiet bats awoke in a dominant 7-1 win against Houston Tuesday, while the Astros (65-61) shut down the Pirates (63-60) in a 3-1 victory the night before. Something will have to give Wednesday, with each team attempting to gain ground in their respective wild-card races.The Pirates came out strong Tuesday, starting the game with six straight hits, and will hope to repeat that performance.I mentioned to our offensive coordinator Jeff Branson that I liked the way he scripted his first 20 plays, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. I think well stick with that. We came and hit balls where they were pitched and took advantage of a sinkerballer who wasnt getting the ball down.Pittsburgh will hope right-handed pitcher Gerrit Cole (7-8, 3.30) can regain some of the control hes lost in recent starts when he opposes right-hander Collin McHugh (7-10, 4.99).Pittsburgh has lost in each of Coles past three starts dating back to a 5-3 win against the Atlanta Braves on Aug. 2. The Pirates ace, who has allowed at least three earned runs in each of those three starts, had a solid outing against the Miami Marlins on Friday, but allowed two home runs that cut his night short at 6 2/3 innings pitched, his longest start since recording his first career complete game July 27.Coles inconsistency wont be the only issue Pittsburgh will look to overcome, however. The Pirates floundering offense will try to find a spark and could against McHugh, who allowed seven runs, six earned, in three innings against the Baltimore Orioles when he last started Friday.McHugh has not won since allowing two runs through six innings of a 7-2 win against the Los Angeles Angels on July 23. Since that victory, he has gone past six innings once and went three or less twice, including when he surrendered eight runs in 1 2/3 innings pitched against the Detroit Tigers on July 29.Things could turn around for McHugh on Wednesday, though, if the Pirates offense cant build on its momentum from Tuesday.Entering Tuesday, Pittsburgh had failed to score more than two runs in each of its past three games. The Pirates had lost four in a row since taking five of six on their West Coast road trip last week, which included a three-game sweep of the San Francisco Giants.That changed against right-hander Joe Musgrove, when Pittsburgh peppered him for four runs in the first inning before outfielder Gregory Polanco took him deep for a solo home run in the third.The teams seemed to trade places Tuesday. While the once-dormant Pirates exploded, the red-hot Astros cooled.Houston had scored 35 combined runs over four consecutive wins entering the series middle game, but couldnt solve right-hander Ivan Nova.Astros shortstop Carlos Correa exited Tuesdays game late due to an illness, Houston manager A.J. Hinch said.Hes been sick. Half our team has been sick, Hinch said. We werent really doing much against them. We have a 12:30 game tomorrow, so pretty easy decision. Authentic Custom Orioles Jersey . Vokoun departed practice on Saturday morning after discovering swelling in his thigh. He was taken to a local hospital where the clot was revealed. The club announced the surgery following a 5-3 exhibition loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Earl Weaver Jersey Large . JOHNS, N. http://www.customoriolesjersey.com/custom-jim-palmer-jersey-large-218a.html . Anthony Calvillo, through 20 CFL seasons, was frequently invincible and largely stoic in the heat of competition. But underneath the professional exterior he was, and is, compellingly human. Earl Weaver Jersey Large . -- Devin Hester is done returning kicks in Chicago. Custom Cal Ripken Jersey .Y. -- Syracuse has turned up the defence at the right time all season, and when High Point threatened to pull off a monumental upset the second-ranked Orange did what they do best with their quick hands and savvy play. In 1994, Peter Brock first shared his secret to winning a record nine Bathurst 1000 titles with protege Craig Lowndes.More than 20 years later, those same words will guide Lowndes in his quest to honour his great mentor at Mount Panorama.Sundays Great Race will remember the 10th anniversary of Brocks death.But sentimental favourite Lowndes has never forgotten the man dubbed King of the Mountain.Especially those fateful words the motorsport legend uttered at Lowndes first Bathurst all those years ago.When I lobbed in 1994 I struggled immensely to get up to pace, Lowndes told AAP.It wasnt until he sat me down and told me how to get around this track that I started to understand what was required.I still use his key points to get around.They have turned out to be handy tips.Lowndes is aiming for Bathurst title No.7 on Sunday.It will equal Jim Richards haul - and trail only Brock on the all-time list.But it seems Lowndes will need all the help he can get.He will start 21st on the grid after his worst Bathurst qualifying effort.However, with Brocks words still ringing in his ears no one has rruled out Lowndes pulling off what would be his most inspirational Bathurst win.ddddddddddddWhen I joined the team back then (1994) I hadnt achieved too much but Peter took me under his wing and taught me the sport - everything from the corporate side to driving the car, Lowndes said.When I get closer to race day it will start getting more emotional but I think it will only spark good memories for me.Lowndes wept on the podium when he accepted the inaugural Peter Brock Trophy for winning the 2006 Bathurst 1000 - the year of his mentors death.That year the trophy was presented by Brocks brother Phil - a role he will again play on Sunday.Lowndes admitted the stars aligned that year - and did not rule out a repeat this weekend.I am approaching this the same as 2006, he said.I am not superstitious but when I think back on that day it all went our way.Having Phil (Brock) here to present it again is special but to mark 10 years (with a win) would be quite amazing. 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