Astros, Pirates Split Shutout Games with McCullers, Burrows First Wins

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros have faced off recently with split results. On June 5, Pirates starter Mike Burrows earned his first career victory as a starter, pitching 5 1/3 innings and leading Pittsburgh to a 3-0 win over Houston, snapping a two-game skid for the Pirates. The prior day, June 4, Astros' Lance McCullers Jr. dominated with six shutout innings to outduel Pirates' Paul Skenes in a 3-0 Astros victory, marking McCullers' first win since returning from injury and demonstrating a strong comeback performance. Meanwhile, the Pirates' Andrew McCutchen tied Roberto Clemente for third on the franchise's career home run list with 240 but the Pirates fell to the San Diego Padres 6-4 after a late Padres rally on June 2. Pirates manager Don Kelly expressed frustration at the close loss despite a solid 3-3 road trip record. Overall, the Pirates have shown resilience but continue to struggle against strong pitching performances from opponents like the Astros and Padres.