PITTSBURGH — Lance McCullers Jr. pitched six glowing innings for his first win since 2022, and Christian Walker and Isaac Paredes hit late house runs because the Houston Astros beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-0 on Tuesday night time.
McCullers (1-1) gained a decent duel with Pirates ace Paul Skenes, giving up solely two hits and one stroll whereas putting out seven. It was his first win since Sept. 21, 2022, at Tampa Bay.
The appropriate-hander sat out the previous two seasons due to accidents, then was winless in his first 5 begins this 12 months after being activated from the injured checklist on Could 4.
Skenes (4-6) was almost as dazzling in defeat, giving up one run and three hits in eight innings. He struck out eight and walked one because the Pirates misplaced for the third time in 4 video games.
Skenes’ document is 2 video games beneath .500 regardless of a 2.05 ERA.
Walker hit a first-pitch sweeper from Skenes into the left-field bleachers with one out within the seventh to interrupt a scoreless tie. It was the primary baseman’s eighth house run this season.
Paredes added a two-run shot within the ninth, his twelfth, off Dennis Santana.
Shawn Dubin, Bryan Abreu and Josh Hader labored an inning apiece to finish a four-hitter. Hader his transformed all 16 of his save alternatives this season.
Houston gained the opener of a three-game collection for its seventh victory in 9 video games.
The Astros pitched their sixth shutout of the season. The Pirates have been blanked 10 instances in 61 video games.
