--For the second time in as many days, the Astros suffered a shutout. Less than 24 hours after Cardinals RHP Kyle Lohse accomplished the feat, Pirates LHP Zach Duke held Houston scoreless.
--With only one run over the last 28 innings and only five runs in their past four games, the Astros' veteran offense has given manager Cecil Cooper plenty reasons for concern. With only 16 runs this season, the Astros are 29th out of 30 teams in the majors.
--The Astros are on a five-game losing streak and are 1-6, their worst start since 1984. They're mimicking the club that went 1-16-3 to start the Grapefruit League, going 19 games and 22 days between spring training victories.
BY THE NUMBERS: 19 -- Hits allowed by the Astros in an 11-2 loss to the Cardinals on April 11.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's frustrating whenever you keep getting guys on base and you can't come up with any runs. It seems like we've done that a lot, but the good news is we're getting guys on base against pretty tough pitching, and I think given enough chances we're going to score runs in bunches. We just haven't done it yet." -- 1B Lance Berkman, on the Astros' slow offensive start.
