The Pittsburgh Pirates had Houston right where they wanted them Wednesday night — then the eighth inning happened.
Pittsburgh looked poised to take a two-games-to-nothing series lead, holding a lead heading into the late innings at Minute Maid Park. But the Astros erupted for six runs in the eighth to blow the game open and hand the Buccos an 11-9 gut-punch defeat.
The Pirates had their moments — and the biggest one came courtesy of Henry Davis, with a grand slam home run.
Davis finished with four RBIs on that one swing. Nick Gonzales also homered and drove in three, and Spencer Horwitz went three-for-five at the plate. Pittsburgh put up twelve hits on the night and had plenty of chances — but went just three-for-eleven with runners in scoring position.
Paul Skenes took a no-decision — striking out seven in four-and-two-thirds innings but allowing three runs. The bullpen couldn’t hold it — Gregory Soto was charged with three runs without recording an out in the eighth, and Mason Montgomery couldn’t stop the bleeding.
Yordan Alvarez was relentless for Houston — going four-for-five with two RBIs. Isaac Paredes and Cam Smith also drove in three apiece.
The series finale is tonight in Houston.
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