Pittsburgh Pirates @ Houston Astros
Smith has tiebreaking 2-run triple in 8th to help the Astros beat the Pirates 11-9
HOUSTON -- — Cam Smith hit a tiebreaking two-run triple to cap Houston’s six-run eighth inning, Isaac Paredes homered and the Astros overcame a five-run deficit to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 11-9 on Wednesday night.
Yordan Alvarez had four hits and two RBI for the Astros. Smith and Paredes had two hits and three RBI apiece, and Jeremy Peña went 2 for 3 with a double.
AJ Blubaugh (3-2) pitched the eighth inning to get the victory. Josh Hader made his season debut and worked a scoreless ninth for the save, ending the Pirates' winning streak at four.
Houston starter Spencer Arrighetti, who went 4-1 in five starts with a 0.93 ERA in May, allowed four runs in four innings.
Henry Davis hit his first career grand slam in the fourth inning for Pittsburgh. Nick Gonzalez had a homer, double and three RBI.
The Pirates have scored nine-plus runs in four consecutive games, the longest streak in the majors this season, and has struck out at least nine batters in eight straight games.
Pittsburgh's Gregory Soto (4-1), who faced four batters, allowed three runs and three hits and walked one.
Pirates RHP Jared Jones (0-0, 10.48 ERA) was set to start Thursday against RHP Kai-Wei Teng (3-3, 2.57) in the series finale.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
Series tied 1-1
Game Information
- Umpires:
- Home Plate Umpire - Chris Guccione
- First Base Umpire - David Rackley
- Second Base Umpire - Nestor Ceja
- Third Base Umpire - Louie Krupa
2026 National League Central Standings
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee | 37 | 22 | .627 | - | L1 |
| St. Louis | 32 | 28 | .533 | 5.5 | W1 |
| Pittsburgh | 33 | 29 | .532 | 5.5 | L1 |
| Chicago | 32 | 30 | .516 | 6.5 | L3 |
| Cincinnati | 31 | 30 | .508 | 7 | L1 |
2026 American League West Standings
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | 33 | 30 | .524 | - | L1 |
| Athletics | 30 | 31 | .492 | 2 | W2 |
| Texas | 30 | 32 | .484 | 2.5 | L1 |
| Houston | 28 | 35 | .444 | 5 | W1 |
| Los Angeles | 24 | 39 | .381 | 9 | W1 |

