After a dramatic walk-off victory on Tuesday night at PNC Park, the Pittsburgh Pirates took the field on Wednesday afternoon with an opportunity to win their third consecutive series. Unfortunately for the Bucs, a close game midway through turned ugly late and they fell to the Houston Astros by a 7-0 score.
Rich Hill started his third game of the season for Pittsburgh. After two disastrous appearances, the Bucs’ left-hander held his own on Wednesday, giving up two runs on five hits with two walks in six innings on the mound. Unfortunately, the Pirates’ offense couldn’t gain any traction and the bullpen fell apart in the latter innings, turning this game ugly.
Houston starter Jose Urquidy was dominant on the mound, giving up two hits and three walks in his six innings on the bump. The bullpen was just as effective, only giving up a single hit in their three innings of work. The Pirates’ offense was certainly held in check throughout, with Bryan Reynolds, Andrew McCutchen, and Carlos Santana going a combined 2-10 with two strikeouts and four left on base.
The Astros broke the scoreless tie in the top of the third. Jose Abreu doubled home Chas McCormick to make it 1-0. Corey Julks’ solo homerun in the fourth doubled their lead, and was followed a few innings later by Alex Bregman’s three run homerun in the seventh inning, breaking the game open.
Houston added a pair of sacrifice flies by Yainer Diaz and Kyle Tucker in the eighth inning, making it a 7-0 score, which would be the final.
Obviously, this isn’t the way we were hoping for this home stand to end. After splitting the first two games this week, it would have been a huge momentum boost to take this afternoon’s game and finish with a 4-2 record at PNC Park with two series victories at home. Nevertheless, they will need to turn the page quickly, as they will kick off a four-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals, beginning tomorrow at Busch Stadium.
Record vs. Astros: 1-2
Record vs. American League: 6-2
Record at Home: 3-3
Overall Record: 7-5
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
