Houston Astros stun Pittsburgh Pirates with 5-1 victory – MLB News
Brett Wallace hit a three-run homer on Monday, September 3, to help the Houston Astros beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-1 at PNC Park. The fiercely competitive game saw Edgar Gonzalez, the Astros’ starter, win his first big league game in a substantially long time.
Wallace’s homer came in the fifth inning, but Gonzalez kept the Pirates at bay, strengthening the Astros’ grip in the game. For him, the victory was significant.
"It's been a while," Gonzalez said. "The last start was in '09. I felt great, I was just so focused and threw the ball down and thank God that things worked good for us."
The fact that Astros are at the bottom of the National League Central and the Pirates are struggling to keep their Wild Card race alive, will bring more excitement in the Division. For the Astros’ interim manager, the club can possibly play a spoiler’s role.
"Since I've been here, the fight's been there every game," DeFrancesco said. "I have no problem with the way guys are competing. ... They're starting to have fun, getting on each other and in the dugout. There's a lot of life."
Astros scored the first run when Matt Downs scored a single as Jeff Locke gave up the first run in the very first inning. It was then left fielder Justin Maxwell who had an RBI, doubling the Astros’ lead in the game.
Wallace then smashed a magnificent three-run homer in the fifth, taking the Astros lead to 5-0 as Locke continued to struggle, giving up five runs in his five innings, allowing seven hits with 4.82 ERA.
Gonzalez, on the other hand, allowed a run to Clint Barmes, but kept his hold on the game to maintain the team’s 5-1 lead. Reliever Mickey Storey pitched 1.2 innings, not allowing any hits or walks to keep the lead intact.
It was Wesley Wright, the team’s closer, that pitched a scoreless and hitless ninth to finish the game with a 5-1 lead for the Astros.
Houston managed to take the first victory in the three-game series as the Pirates struggled to maintain a foothold in the Wild Card race.
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