Astros Sink Pirates

May 11, 1999 / 12:15 AM EDT / CBS/AP

Mike Hampton's confidence is pretty high these days.

"I'm confident out there, and the team is scoring runs for me. I'm kind of in a groove," Hampton said his five hitter led the Houston Astros over the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-0 Monday night.

Hampton (4-1) struck out seven and walked none in his first shutout and complete game since a seven-hitter against the New York Mets on April 21, 1998. He also kept up his hot hitting, going 1-for-3 to raise his average to .286 (4-for-14).

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"Hampton seemed actually tougher at the very end than he was earlier," Pittsburgh manager Gene Lamont said. "He was outstanding. He does everything: pitch, hit and play his position."

Hampton, who got his fifth career shutout, has allowed just one run and seven hits in his last 16 innings, lowering his ERA to 2.83. He is 4-0 in his last five starts against the Pirates.

"This is three in a row that he's been dominating," Astros manager Larry Dierker said. "The last three games he has had command of all of his pitches, changing speeds, using all four corners, He's had a good sharp slider and his fastball has been good when he needed it."

Houston has won Hampton's last five starts all following Astros' losses.

"I'm challenging the hitters, and confidence is a big factor," he said. "I am confident I can get the hitters out and when I fall behind, I've got confidence that my fastball can get them out."

Pete Schourek (1-3) allowed six runs, nine hits and five walks in four innings.

Derek Bell's sixth homer put Houston ahead in the third, and the Astros added five runs in the fifth, sending 10 batters to plate.

Jeff Bagwell walked, Ken Caminiti doubled, and Richard Hidalgo, Tony Eusebio and Tim Bogar followed with consecutive RBI singles that chased Schourek.

Glen Barker's single off Brad Clontz loaded the bases, and Clontz walked Craig Biggio and Bell on 3-2 pitches, forcing in a pair of runs.

"You can't consistently pitch behind in the count and be successful," Schourek said. "I thought the biggest hi of the inning was the ball Eusebio cued off the end of the bat with Hidalgo running. I was living on the edge after that."

Notes: Pittsburgh pitching coach Pete Vuckovich was ejected in the sixth inning by plate umpire Sam Holbrook. ... Pittsburgh outfielder Brian Giles was selected NL player of the week after hitting .481 (13-for-27) with three doubles, three homers, 11 RBIs and 10 runs scored. He had a .576 on-base percentage. ... Houston has hit 34 home runs in 31 games. Last season, en route to a club-record 166 homers, the Astros had 30 home runs after 31 games.