James McDonald allowed two runs (one earned) on seven hits in six innings on Wednesday, but got stuck with a hard-luck loss in Pittsburgh's 2-0 setback in Houston. He struck out six and walked two in his third consecutive quality start. Now the owner of a 3.54 ERA and 48/18 K/BB ratio in 53 1/3 innings since the All-Star break, McDonald will get the Astros again on Monday, this time in Pittsburgh.