Down 9-5 with six outs to play, the Houston Astros finally did something they had not done all season.
With two outs in the bottom of the eighth and the bases loaded, Cam Smith lined a 98.1 mph fastball from Pirates closer Gregory Soto into the right-field corner for a go-ahead two-run triple that gave Houston an 11-9 lead and completed one of the club’s most improbable wins of the season. The Astros entered the night 0-30 when trailing after six innings. They are now 28-35.
“It was very fun to see that we never gave up,” designated hitter Yordan Alvarez said through an interpreter. “I think how the offense reacted reflects how we’re not giving up and we’re giving it our all every time we go up to bat.”
What had been billed as Spencer Arrighetti against Paul Skenes quickly turned into something else.
Arrighetti, named American League Pitcher of the Month for May earlier in the day, did not complete five innings. Skenes, the reigning National League Cy Young winner, did not either.
Houston grabbed an early 2-0 lead before the game flipped in the fourth. A walk, a hit batter, and another walk loaded the bases for Henry Davis, and Pittsburgh’s nine-hole hitter punished a 3-1 fastball, driving a grand slam onto the train tracks in left. It was only the third home run Arrighetti had allowed in his first 51 innings this season and gave Pittsburgh a 4-2 lead.
Skenes was not untouchable either. Cam Smith’s RBI single with two outs in the fifth chased him after 4.2 innings and cut the deficit to 4-3.
The Pirates widened the gap over the next two innings. Nick Gonzales hit a two-run homer off Nate Pearson, and Jhostynxon Garcia added an RBI double to push the lead to 8-3. Isaac Paredes answered with a two-run homer in the seventh to make it 8-5, but Houston still trailed by four entering the eighth.
Jake Meyers struck out to begin the inning, and Brice Matthews followed with another strikeout.
Houston was down to its final out.
Nick Allen doubled. Christian Vázquez doubled him home. Jeremy Peña walked.
Soto entered and Alvarez singled to make it 9-7. Christian Walker followed with a soft infield single that scored Peña. Then, with Zach Cole running for Alvarez, a wild pitch during an Isaac Paredes walk brought home the tying run.
Smith stepped in next and drove the first pitch he saw into the right-field corner.
Two runs scored. Daikin Park erupted.
Josh Hader took the mound in the ninth for his season debut after missing more than two months with biceps tendinitis. He allowed a two-out walk but closed the door for his first save of 2026 and Houston’s first comeback win of the season when trailing after six innings.
Alvarez finished 4-for-4 with two RBI and now leads the American League with 21 home runs. Peña scored three times, and Smith drove in three.
Alimber Santa still has not allowed a hit in the major leagues, extending his scoreless run before issuing two walks and departing.
The Tarps Off section, back in its usual spot for a second straight night, had plenty to celebrate.
The Astros and Pirates conclude the series Thursday evening at Daikin Park. Kai-Wei Teng is scheduled to start for Houston against Jared Jones.
Heading to Daikin Park soon? Check the Astros promotions schedule before your next game.
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