Pirates Vs. Astros: A.J. Burnett Strikes Out 11 As Bucs Win 8-1

In the midst of a disastrous season-ending slump, the Pirates managed to at least grab one 8-1 win before leaving Houston Sunday, finishing their season series in the Astros' last year in the N.L. Central with 12 wins and five losses.

A.J. Burnett went eight innings, striking out 11 batters and allowing only one run, on a solo shot by Scott Moore in the sixth.

The Pirates, meanwhile, scored four in the fifth. Their first three batters reached base, and then Astros relievers hit Gaby Sanchez with a pitch and walked Jose Tabata, bringing home two runs. Clint Barmes and Rod Barajas then added RBI singles on short fly balls that the Astros couldn't get to.

Andrew McCutchen hit an RBI double to left in the sixth to bring home the Pirates' fifth run.

The Bucs tacked on three more in the eighth on RBI singles by Pedro Alvarez, Tabata and Burnett.

The Pirates now travel to New York to play a four-game set against the Mets.

For more on the Pirates, check out Bucs Dugout.

Pirates Vs. Astros Game Preview: Pittsburgh Trying To Snap 5-Game Skid

The Pittsburgh Pirates have done much better than many thought they would this year, but they've faded from playoff contention. They'll try to avoid their second-straight sweep on Sunday when they take on the Houston Astros for the finale of a three-game series.

They've lost five straight games now, being outscored 29-10 in said games. A.J. Burnett will take the mound in hopes to stop the bleeding. He's 15-8 on the season, but is coming off a loss to Milwaukee on Sept. 18. He gave up two runs over six innings in that one, but has been pretty good for most of the season. He'll be up against Jordan Lyles for the Astros. Lyles is 4-11 with a 5.40 ERA, and is coming off an outing in which he allowed four runs to to the Philadelphia Phillies, but was still given the no-decision.

Nobody had a remarkable game for either team on Saturday. Pittsburgh collapsed in the seventh inning, and that was thanks to catcher Jason Castro, who had three RBI on the day. Beyond him, Brett Wallace had an RBI while Garrett Jones notched the lone run for the Pirates.

Sunday's game is set for 2:05 p.m. ET.

For coverage of the Pirates and their playoff hunt, visit Bucs Dugout, and for news on the Astros, head over to The Crawfish Boxes. Visit SB Nation's Pittsburgh page for all of the city's sports news.

Pirates Vs. Astros Final Score: Houston Defeats Pittsburgh, 4-1

Dallas Keuchel tossed seven innings and allowed just one run on four hits Saturday to propel the Houston Astros past the Pittsburgh Pirates, 4-1, at Minute Maid Park. The loss extended the Pirates (74-77) losing streak to five games and drops the Bucs to five games back in the NL Wild Card race.

Astros catcher Jason Castro delivered the decisive blow in the seventh inning when he hit a three-run home run. The blast came off Pittsburgh starting pitcher Kevin Correia (11-10), who allowed four runs on seven hits in six innings of work.

The Astros' bullpen cemented the victory as Hector Ambriz and Wilton Lopez combined to toss two scoreless innings. Lopez pitched in the ninth and collected his seventh save of the season.

Gaby Sanchez's leadoff homer in the second inning was the Pirates' lone score.

For coverage of the Pirates and their playoff hunt, visit Bucs Dugout, and for news on the Astros, head over to The Crawfish Boxes. Visit SB Nation's Pittsburgh page for all of the city's sports news.

Pirates Vs. Astros Preview: Kevin Correia Tries To Stop 4-Game Skid

The Pittsburgh Pirates will try to stop a four-game losing streak on Saturday in Houston against the Astros. The Bucs' September woes continued on Friday night as the offense was silent again in a 7-1 loss. Pittsburgh begins the day now 5.5 games out of the second Wild Card, with four teams now between them and the Cardinals.

Kevin Correia will take the hill and try to stop the skid. Correia enters the game with an 11-9 record and 4.09 ERA. He is coming off perhaps his best outing of the season -- a two-hit, seven-inning shutout against the Cubs. He has a sub-2 ERA so far in three September starts, but he's struggled against the Astros in three outings this season.

Houston will send young lefty Dallas Keuchel to the hill. Keuchel has struggled in 14 starts this season, but he's improved in his last two appearances. The Pirates hammered him in two starts in July but with the offense going the way it is right now, Keuchel could have the advantage.

First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. ET and ROOT will have the broadcast.

For coverage of the Pirates and their playoff hunt, visit Bucs Dugout, and for news on the Astros, head over to The Crawfish Boxes. Visit SB Nation's Pittsburgh page for all of the city's sports news.

Pirates Vs. Astros: Pittsburgh Continues Swoon With 7-1 Loss To Houston

The Pirates' nightmare September continued as Pittsburgh fell to two games under .500 and six games out of the wild-card race with a 7-1 loss to the lowly Astros. Houston jumped all over the Pirates early as Jed Lowrie belted a three-run blast off Pittsburgh starter Jeff Locke in the bottom of the first. Locke would recover nicely, striking out eight and allowing only the three runs in five innings of work, but was let down by his offense and bullpen.

James McDonald relieved Locke in the sixth and allowed a disastrous sequence. Justin Maxwell homered, then Lawrie was hit by a pitch. Brett Wallace tripled him in, followed by a Brian Bogusevic walk. At that point, McDonald was given the hook for Bryan Morris without getting a single out. The Astros would get one more in the inning, and cap their scoring with a Wallace home run in the seventh off Hisanori Takahashi.

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh's offense could gain no traction. Houston starter Edgar Gonzalez was forced to leave the game in the second inning with a strained hamstring, but the Pirates could muster only eight baserunners while striking out eleven times against six Astro relievers. Pittsburgh only avoided the shutout with a Garrett Jones solo homer in the eighth.

The Pirates will try to stop their four-game skid as the two teams square off again tomorrow night. Kevin Correia takes the mound for Pittsburgh against southpaw Dallas Keuchel for Houston.

For more on the Pirates, check out Bucs Dugout.

Astros-Pirates Lineups: Pittsburgh Looks To Snap Losing Streak

Coming off being swept by the Milwaukee Brewers at home, the Pittsburgh Pirates look to snap their three-game losing streak and could improve their winning percentage to .500 with a win tonight against the Houston Astros.

With time running out, the Pirates will turn to left-handed pitcher Jeff Locke in hopes he can bring the team a much needed victory. Opposing Locke will be right-handed pitcher Edgar Gonzalez, who will be taking the mound for the Astros.

The rest of the respective lineups for tonight's game at Minute Maid Park:

Houston

1. Jose Altuve (R) 2B
2. Brandon Barnes (R) CF
3. Matt Dominguez (R) 3B
4. Justin Maxwell (R) RF
5. Jed Lowrie (S) SS
6. Brett Wallace (L) 1B
7. J.D. Martinez (R) LF
8. Chris Snyder (R) C
9. Edgar Gonzalez (R) P

N.L. Wild Card Standings: Pirates Falling Further Out Of Race

Entering the weekend, the Pittsburgh Pirates are losing ground and hopes of grabbing one of the two National League Wild Card spots.

Pittsburgh was swept at home by the Milwaukee Brewers this week, dropping to 2-8 overall in their last ten games and 5½ out, tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks, of a Wild Card spot. The Pirates are trailing the Philadelphia Phillies (4 games back), Los Angeles Dodgers (3 games back) and Brewers (2½ games back), who are all chasing the Atlanta Braves and defending champion St. Louis Cardinals for postseason berths.

A three-game series against the Houston Astros, who have recorded a major league-worst 102 losses, this weekend will be crucial if the Pirates hope to make a jump in the standings and back into serious Wild Card contention. Pittsburgh has 13 games left on their 2012 schedule to make up the ground.

Complete standings, including divisional and Wild Card races, can be viewed here.

For coverage of the Pirates and their playoff hunt, visit Bucs Dugout, and check out SB Nation's Pittsburgh page for all of the city's sports news.

Pirates Vs. Astros Preview: Pittsburgh Looks To Salvage Hopes For .500 Season

With their playoff hopes fading, the Pittsburgh Pirates travel to Houston to take on the Astros for a three-game series beginning Friday.