The Pittsburgh Pirates suffered an 8-2 loss to the Houston Astros in their recent matchup, following a lengthy rain delay that pushed the start of the game back over three hours at PNC Park Notably, top pitching prospect Paul Skenes was not on the mound for the Pirates, whose staff instead saw Mitch Keller struggle against a surging Astros lineup.
Framber Valdez dominated for Houston, pitching seven strong innings with strikeouts, while Isaac Paredes homered twice, including a two-run shot in the ninth to seal the win The Astros’ victory further solidifies their position in the American League standings, now at 34-28, while the Pirates continue to struggle, dropping to 23-40.
Pittsburgh’s offense managed just five hits and two runs, highlighting ongoing struggles at the plate. With Paul Skenes still not in the rotation for this series, fans are left wondering when the highly touted rookie will make his next appearance and what impact he might have on the team’s fortunes.
Both teams now head into new series—the Astros to Cleveland and the Pirates hosting Philadelphia—with Pittsburgh looking to rebound and Houston aiming to maintain their momentum.
