July 17: Astros (37-53) @ Pirates (30-59)

Jenifer Langosch/MLB.com

Erik Kratz will make his Major League debut tonight, as he takes the place of Ryan Doumit behind home plate. Kratz hit .296 with nine homers and 37 RBIs in 56 Triple-A games this season.

With the day game on Sunday, manager John Russell decided to give Kratz Saturday’s start and keep Doumit available for tomorrow against Roy Oswalt.

“I just thought tonight would be a good night to get him in there,” Russell said of Kratz. “I know he’s very excited. When we get guys called up, I try to get them in there really quickly. I don’t want them to sit around too long before they get their first taste of it, especially the position players.”

PIRATES: A. McCutchen (CF), J. Tabata (LF), N. Walker (2B), G. Jones (1B), P. Alvarez (3B), L. Milledge (RF), E. Kratz (C), R. Cedeno (SS), R. Ohlendorf (RHP)

Ohlendorf vs. HOU: 0-6 in 8 games, 34.1 IP, 48 H, 25 ER, 6 HR, 10 BB, 22 K

ASTROS: M. Bourn (CF), J. Keppinger (2B), L. Berkman (1B), C. Lee (LF), H. Pence (RF), C. Johnson (3B), J. Castro (C), A. Sanchez (SS), B. Norris (RHP)

Norris vs. PIT: 1-0 in 1 start, 6 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 HR, 1 BB, 7 K

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