PITTSBURGH, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- Ian Snell picked up his first major league victory while working eight innings Monday as the Pittsburgh Pirates posted a 7-0 win over the Houston Astros.
Snell (1-2), making just his fourth start of the season, outdueled Houston ace Roger Clemens to give the Pirates their fourth straight win. He allowed just three hits and retired the final nine batters he faced before Jose Mesa came on to complete the four-hit shutout.
Clemens (12-8) gave up six runs on 11 hits in 5 2/3 innings. The Astros who saw their lead in the NL wild card race shrink to one game over the Philadelphia Phillies.
Tike Redman, Jack Wilson, Freddy Sanchez and Jason Bay each had three hits and an RBI for Pittsburgh, which has won five of its last six games.
