For the second straight day, the Pittsburgh Pirates earned a dramatic victory with a 5-3 win over the Houston Astros. It was the opening game of a three-game series in Houston. Michael A. Taylor hit a pinch-hit three-run home run in the ninth inning to lead the Bucs to the win. It was his third homer of the season. Catcher Yasmani Grandal hit his fourth home run of the year in the sixth inning.
Paul Skenes allowed two runs, one earned, over six innings. He walked three and struck out five.
During the outing Skenes struck out the 100th batter of his career, becoming the sixth pitcher in the Modern Era to reach the century mark in his 13th game. It was also the first time in his major league career that he struck out a batter with his change-up pitch.
Aroldis Chapman earned the victory with a scoreless eighth inning. David Bednar earned his 19th save of the year, despite allowing a run and two walks in the ninth inning. He walked in a run with the bases loaded, intentionally. It was Bednar’s 18th save in a row after he blew three saves early in the season.
The Pirates suffered two more injuries in the game. Outfielders Josh Palacios and Ji-Hwan Bae both left the game. Palacios with a hamstring injury. Bae went down to a leg injury after a collision at first base.
The Bucs and Astros play again tonight at 8:10pm. Bailey Falter will return from the Injured List and start for the Pirates. WISR pre-game is 7:40pm.
The Pirates are now tied with St. Louis for second place in the National League Central. They remain two games out of a Wild Card spot and seven games behind Milwaukee. The Brewers defeated Atlanta 8-3 last night, while the Cardinals lost 6-3 to Texas.
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