The Pirates won 7-5 in extra innings against the Astros in Houston on Sunday, sneaking out a crucial win as they enter a tough stretch of their schedule.
Alex Presley had three separate RBI hits, and Kevin Correia drove in two runs with a second-inning double. Jeff Keppinger had a two-run homer for the Astros, and Wandy Rodriguez racked up 11 strikeouts despite allowing four runs in 5.2 innings.
The Pirates took a 4-3 lead into the eighth inning, then called on Jose Veras, who struggled in Saturday night's game. Veras gave up a single to Hunter Pence, and then Joel Hanrahan entered to get the last out of the inning and allowed an RBI double to Chris Johnson, blowing his first save of the season.
The Pirates scored three runs in the ninth, however, thanks to a passed ball and an error along with Presley's RBI single. Chris Resop allowed a solo homer by Humberto Quintero in the bottom of the inning, but the Pirates still ended up with a 7-5 win.
The Bucs next face home series against Cincinnati and St. Louis, followed by seven games on the road against Atlanta and Philadelphia. The Cardinals lost on Sunday, putting the Pirates in a three-way tie for first as they await the outcome of the Brewers' game against the Rockies.
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