How everything lined up for the Astros at just the right time

GOING DEEP

How everything lined up for the Astros at just the right time
The Astros beat the Pirates, 3-0. Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images.

Lance McCullers Jr. pitched six sparkling innings for his first win since 2022, and Christian Walker and Isaac Paredes hit late home runs as the Houston Astros beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-0 on Tuesday night.

McCullers (1-1) won a tight duel with Pirates ace Paul Skenes, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out seven. It was his first win since Sept. 21, 2022, at Tampa Bay.

The right-hander missed the past two seasons because of injuries, then was winless in his first five starts this year after being activated from the injured list on May 4.

Skenes (4-6) was nearly as dazzling in defeat, giving up one run and three hits in eight innings. He struck out eight and walked one as the Pirates lost for the third time in four games.

Skenes’ record is two games under .500 despite a 2.05 ERA.

Walker hit a first-pitch sweeper from Skenes into the left-field bleachers with one out in the seventh to break a scoreless tie. It was the first baseman’s eighth home run this season.

Paredes added a two-run shot in the ninth, his 12th, off Dennis Santana.

Shawn Dubin, Bryan Abreu and Josh Hader worked an inning apiece to complete the four-hitter. Hader his converted all 16 of his save opportunities this season.

Houston won the opener of a three-game series for its seventh victory in nine games.

The Astros pitched their sixth shutout of the year. The Pirates have been blanked 10 times in 61 games.

Key moment

With the Pirates down 1-0 and runners on first and second with one out in the eighth, Oneil Cruz grounded into a forceout. Then he was caught stealing to end the inning.

Key stat

Skenes has pitched at least eight innings three times in his two-year career and the Pirates have lost all three games.

Up next

Ryan Gusto (3-2, 4.62 ERA) starts Wednesday night for Houston against fellow rookie right-hander Mike Burrows (0-1, 8.64).

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The Angels beat the Astros, 3-0. Composite Getty Image.

José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.

Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.

There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.

Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.

Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.

He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.

Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.

Key moment

The home run by Peraza.

Key stat

It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.

Up next

LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.

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