Taylor's Three-Run Homer Lifts Pirates Over Astros

Michael A. Taylor hit a tiebreaking 421-foot three-run homer with two outs in the ninth off Josh Hader to lift the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 5-3 win over the Houston Astros. Taylor had entered the game as an injury replacement after Joshua Palacios exited (Ji Hwan Bae also left later). Oneil Cruz tied the game with a run-scoring double in the eighth. Rookie Paul Skenes allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits with six strikeouts over six innings. David Bednar earned his 19th save despite issuing a bases-loaded walk to Yordan Alvarez, and Hader (4-6) took the loss after the Astros scratched their scheduled starter and used two relievers who were perfect through five innings.