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PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- Todd Ritchie is doing his best to turn a lost season into a successful one. Ritchie allowed six hits in eight-plus innings to win for the seventh time in nine decisions and Kevin Young hit a long two-run homer in the eighth as the Pittsburgh Pirates posted a 4-1 triumph over the Houston Astros. Since losing his first eight decisions of the season, Ritchie (7-10) has rebounded to become one of the most consistent pitchers in the National League. On Sunday, he scattered five singles and a double. Ritchie, who walked none and struck out six, has a 2.92 ERA in his last nine outings. Included in that span is a near no-hitter and six starts in which he allowed one earned run or less. Mike Williams tossed a perfect ninth to notch his 22nd save in 24 chances. The win gave Pittsburgh the rubber game of the five-game series. "Ritchie pitched another good game," Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon said. "It was a good, strong effort for the team." Houston starter Wade Miller (12-6) allowed two runs and five hits in seven innings. He walked two and struck out five but suffered his first road loss since June 5. "Wade pitched a good game, but he wasn't throwing as hard as he has," Astros manager Larry Dierker said. Ritchie retired the first two batters in the third, but the Pirates' defense quickly betrayed him. Craig Biggio doubled to left and Brian Giles misplayed the ball, allowing him to reach third. Julio Lugo lined to center, but rookie Tike Redman had the ball bounce off the heel of his glove for an error. Lugo stole second and took third on an infield hit by Jeff Bagwell. But Ritchie struck out Lance Berkman. After Pittsburgh left a runner at third in the fifth, it finally solved Miller in the sixth. Rookie Jack Wilson reached on an infield hit and Giles walked. Young doubled inside the third-base bag to tie it and Warren Morris followed with a sacrifice fly to put the Pirates on top. They tacked on two runs in the eighth against Ron Villone. Giles led off with a single and Young crushed a homer to left field for a 4-1 lead. Young, who was 2-for-4 in Saturday's day-night doubleheader, went 2-for-3 on Sunday and attributed his recent surge to correcting a flaw in his stance. "The last month we've been working hard and just couldn't find what was wrong," Young said. "They (the coaches) called me in a couple of mornings ago and we looked at some videoptape. We finally figured out where the problem was. It just feels good to be really confident again. I was tired of taking lumps out there. With the adjustment, hopefully this continues." "Kevin Young is hitting the ball very well," McClendon added. Ritchie started the ninth and allowed a leadoff single to Bagwell, but Williams retired the next three batters. "Every day is different. That makes baseball fun," Williams said. "I might go out next time and give up four home runs. That's why it's so much fun. It's different every day."
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