Mike Burrows returned to Daikin Park on Lou Gehrig Day and left in line for a win. The sixth inning changed everything.
With the Houston Astros leading 4-2, the Pittsburgh Pirates sent eight batters to the plate in the sixth and scored four runs to take control in a 10-6 win Tuesday night at Daikin Park. Pittsburgh put its leadoff runner aboard against Burrows for the fourth time in the game, and this time converted. Ryan O’Hearn walked, Nick Gonzales singled, and Oneil Cruz launched a three-run homer to center to put the Pirates ahead 5-4.
Burrows walked Endy Rodríguez and exited at 90 pitches without recording an out in the inning. Rodríguez stole second, and Jake Mangum followed with a bunt single helped along by a throwing error from Isaac Paredes, allowing another run to score and extending the lead to 6-4. The Astros never fully recovered.
Bryan Abreu allowed a three-run homer to Brandon Lowe in the eighth as Pittsburgh created separation late. Houston had built an early lead behind its stars. Jeremy Peña singled to open the first before Yordan Alvarez launched a two-run homer to left-center—his 21st of the season—to move into sole possession of the American League home run lead. Alvarez now stands alone atop the AL home run leaderboard with 21.
Houston extended the lead to 4-2 in the fourth. Brice Matthews and Christian Vázquez singled on two-strike pitches before Peña drove in a run on a forceout. Christian Walker added an RBI single earlier in the game. Peña finished 2-for-5 with two RBI and scored twice.
Burrows fell to 3-7 after allowing eight hits, five walks, and two home runs over five-plus innings. Rodríguez homered in the second on a drive originally ruled a double before replay overturned the call. Home runs continue to haunt Burrows. Nearly three-quarters of the 44 runs he has allowed this season have come via the long ball, and his ERA rose to 5.66 through 12 starts.
Enyel De Los Santos, Steven Okert, Abreu, and A.J. Blubaugh combined to allow six runs over the final four innings.
Houston mounted a late push in the ninth. Jake Meyers doubled, Peña singled, a balk moved both runners up, and Alvarez added an RBI single before Gregory Soto closed it out.
The Astros fell to 27-35 and will send Spencer Arrighetti to the mound Wednesday night against Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes at Daikin Park.
Elsewhere, Tarps Off finally made its way to Houston and brought a large and spirited shirtless contingent along with it.
Heading to Daikin Park soon? Check the Astros promotions schedule before your next game.
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