It took until after the All-Star break before Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson experienced his first batting slump of the season.
Wilson went 0-for-15 in a four-game series at Colorado over the weekend. However, Wilson has gotten back on track by going 2-for-8 with a double and three runs in the first two games of a three-game series at Houston. He doubled and scored twice Tuesday in an 8-2 win.
Wilson is hitting .394 (28-for-71) in his last 19 games at Minute Maid Park, where he has nine career home runs, more than at any other road park.
"I've been playing baseball for a long time, and I know you're going to go through ruts," Wilson said. "You've just got to stay level. You've got to stay upbeat. Even if you take an 0-fer, you have to realize that you can help the team in other ways.
"The big thing is to stay positive. You've just got to remember how baseball is and how things always eventually turn around."
Wilson, who missed six weeks early in the season with a slightly torn muscle in his left calf, is hitting .280 in 51 games while playing his usual fine defense. A number of teams have reportedly asked about him in trade talks in recent weeks, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto and Baltimore.
Wilson is signed through next season and has spent his entire major league career with the Pirates since making his debut on Opening Day in 2001. While the Pirates haven't had a winning season during Wilson's tenure in Pittsburgh, he is not hoping to get traded.
"I really enjoying playing in Pittsburgh, and it really is my second home," said Wilson, who grew up in Thousand Oaks, Calif. "I don't want to leave. That's why I signed a three-year contract (that runs through 2009) before I could become a free agent. I really think we're headed in the right direction, and I want to be here when we start winning."
PIRATES 8, ASTROS 2: LHP Paul Maholm allowed only one run and five hits in eight innings for the win as the Pirates won their second straight in Houston after being swept in a four-game series at Colorado to begin the season's second half. Maholm (7-6) won for the only second time on the road in seven decisions this season, though he is 5-1 at home.
Nate McLouth, Freddy Sanchez and Ryan Doumit homered for the Pirates, who are 6-2 against the Astros this season. Sanchez had three hits and three runs, and Doumit finished with three RBIs.
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