The Pittsburgh Pirates pulled off a thrilling 5-3 victory over the Houston Astros on Monday, thanks to a late-game heroics from Michael A. Taylor. The game, which took place at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas, saw the Pirates come from behind to secure the win.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with the Astros initially taking a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning after Jose Altuve hit a sharp grounder that led to two runs scoring. However, the Pirates fought back, with Oneil Cruz delivering a game-tying double in the eighth inning to set the stage for Taylor’s heroics.
With two outs in the ninth inning, Taylor stepped up to the plate and crushed a tiebreaking three-run homer off Astros closer Josh Hader, giving the Pirates a 5-3 lead. Despite the Astros scoring a run in the bottom of the ninth, Pirates closer David Bednar was able to shut the door and secure the win with his 19th save of the season.
The game also saw a strong performance from Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes, who delivered a quality start, allowing just two runs (one earned) on five hits and three walks with six strikeouts over six innings. Skenes has been impressive in his rookie season, with this start marking his eighth consecutive start allowing two runs or fewer.
The Astros made a roster move before the game, trading rookie right-hander Jake Bloss to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for veteran left-hander Yusei Kikuchi. This move forced right-handed reliever Tayler Scott into the role of opener, and he delivered three perfect innings with four strikeouts.
Overall, it was a thrilling game that showcased the resilience and determination of the Pittsburgh Pirates. With this win, the Pirates continue to show that they are a team to be reckoned with in the competitive National League.
