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 injury bug bites again.Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images.

The Houston Astros announced on Monday that additional imaging has revealed that Jeremy Peña is dealing with a small fracture in one of his ribs.

Peña left Friday's game after being hit by a pitch in the ribs. The club originally believed they had avoided any fractures or breaks, but new information has informed them otherwise.

Peña is heading to the 10-day injured list retroactive to June 28. This news comes at an unfortunate time, with Jeremy posting the best regular season numbers of his career. He's currently slashing .322, .378, .489 with an .867 OPS.

Peña will miss the Rockies and Dodgers series at a minimum.

Let's hope the team doesn't rush him back too soon and create an even bigger problem. These quotes above from Dana Brown have me concerned. Playing through injuries can create bad habits, and Jeremy has clearly found his swing this season.

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