Pirates 5, Astros 3
Alex Presley had three hits and knocked in a run as the Pittsburgh Pirates posted a 5-3 home triumph over the Houston Astros on Monday afternoon.
The victory moved Pittsburgh (44-41) three games over .500 this late in the season for the first time since July 1, 1999.
Neil Walker’s RBI single with two outs in the fifth inning gave the Pirates a 4-3 lead and Presley delivered another run with a two-out triple in the sixth. Pittsburgh had failed in its previous eight attempts to reach three games over .500 this season.
Paul Maholm (5-9) yielded three runs – one earned – in six innings to win for the fourth time in six decisions. Joel Hanrahan converted his 25th save in as many opportunities by retiring the side in order in the ninth.
Andrew McCutchen belted an RBI double and scored on Lyle Overbay’s RBI single in the third to tie the game at 3-3.
Carlos Lee had a pair of RBIs for Houston, which has lost nine of 10 games.
Houston right fielder Hunter Pence threw out a runner at second in the first inning and got Josh Harrison at the plate in the second. Harrison, who crashed into catcher Carlos Corporan on the play, eventually left the game in the fourth due to dizziness.