HOUSTON (AP) — Michael Taylor homered for the second straight game, Bailey Falter returned strong from injury and allowed one run in six innings, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 6-2 victory over the Houston Astros on Tuesday.
Taylor launched a two-run homer, 403 feet, in the sixth inning off Astros starter Hunter Brown (9-7).
Brown was replaced after Taylor’s homer, one out shy of his 13th start of six innings or more. He gave up five runs, four earned, with eight strikeouts and two walks.
Falter (5-7), who made his first start since July 6 due to right triceps tendinitis, controlled Houston with 47 of 66 pitches for strikes. The 27-year-old left-hander allowed six hits and one run with three strikeouts and no walks in five and a third innings.
Houston catcher Yainer Díaz homered off Falter in the fourth inning for his 10th homer and 58th RBI of the season.
For the Pirates, Mexican Rowdy Tellez went 5 for 1.
For the Astros, Dominicans Díaz went 4 for 4 with a run batted in and a run scored, Jeremy Peña went 4 for 0 with a run scored. Cuban Yordan Álvarez went 3 for 1 with a run scored. Venezuelan José Altuve went 5 for 1. Puerto Rican Víctor Caratini went 1 for 1.
