Pirates 5, Astros 4
Ryan Doumit belted a three-run homer in the eighth inning to lift the host Pittsburgh Pirates to a 5-4 victory over the Houston Astros on Sunday in the rubber game of a three-game set.
Matt Diaz and Neil Walker had two hits for the Pirates (17-17), who are at .500 after 34 games for the first time since 2002.
Houston rallied for three runs in the seventh and another in the eighth off the Pittsburgh bullpen to take a 4-2 edge after starter James McDonald crafted six scoreless innings.
The Pirates, who entered the game batting .204 with 43 runs while going 5-9 at PNC Park, rallied against Houston reliever Fernando Abad (1-4).
Walker hit a one-out single and Steve Pearce walked, setting the stage for Doumit. The switch-hitter turned around the lefthander’s 1-0 fastball and deposited his third blast of the season over the left field fence.
Daniel McCutchen (1-0) pitched the eighth to get the win and Joel Hanrahan closed out the game for his 10th save in as many chances.
McDonald allowed three runs and two walks and tied his career high with eight strikeouts.
Houston starter J.A Happ (3-4) allowed two runs and six hits in six innings.