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.
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