PSR Press Room

Pirates lose late lead in 4-1 loss

Astros 4, Pirates 1
The Pirates held a 1-0 lead for the majority of the game, but the Astros scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to take the first game of the series. Ross Ohlendorf threw an impressive 6.2 innings for the Pirates, allowing four hits, zero runs, and striking out seven.

WP: Wilton Lopez (4-0) 1.0 IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 1K
LP: Evan Meek (4-4) 0.1 IP, 5H, 4R, 1BB, 3K

On the hill: Ross Ohlendorf started for the Pirates, throwing 6.2 innings and giving up zero hits and four runs, while striking out seven, but the bullpen was unable to hold on to the Pirates lead.  Evan Meek pitched 0.1 innings of relief, giving up five hits and four runs to the Astros in the game-winning eighth inning. Brett Myers started the game for Houston, throwing 7.0 innings, allowing seven hits and one run, and striking out seven. Wilton Lopez picked up the win, improving to 4-0 on the year after pitching one inning and giving up one hit and no runs.

In the box: Neil Walker drove in the only run for the Pirates with a single to center field in the third inning. Walker also singled in the eighth. Pedro Alvarez went 3-for-3 at the plate, with singles in the second and fourth innings and a double in the sixth. Andrew McCutchen went 2-for-4, hitting a single in the first and an infield single in the third. Carlos Lee drove in the game-winning runs for the Astros with a three-run homerun in the eighth. Brett Wallace followed with a single that scored the fourth and final Houston run.

On the base paths: McCutchen stole is 23rd base of the season in the third inning.

Up next: Paul Maholm (7-10, 4.90) and Norris (4-7, 5.63) will face off when the Pirates and the Astros continue their series on Saturday.

PIRATES: 39-76, 6th place (-26)

Compiled by Lauren Kirschman