James McDonald pitched 7.1 strong innings as the Pirates defeated the last-place Astros.
Sep 5, 2011 - James McDonald doesn't usually pitch seven innings, but the Pirates used 7.1 good ones from him to defeat the Houston Astros 3-1 on Monday afternoon at PNC Park.
McDonald had six strikeouts and allowed three hits, three walks and a run. That run came in the third when he walked opposing pitcher Henry Sosa, and Jose Altuve hit a triple to the right-field wall.
The Pirates, though, took a two-run lead in the fourth on an RBI double by Ryan Doumit and an up-the-middle RBI single by Josh Harrison. They added another in the eighth on a solo homer by Derrek Lee.
Joel Hanrahan picked up his 35th save of the season despite loading the bases in the ninth.
The Pirates are now 65-76, four games behind the Cincinnati Reds for third place in the NL Central. The Astros have lost four in a row and are 47-94.
For more on the Pirates, check out Bucs Dugout.
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