In a tightly contested game, the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Houston Astros 5-3, with Michael A. Taylor leading the charge by hitting a three-run homer in the ninth inning. Taylor's performance included two hits, three RBIs, and a stolen base, marking a bright spot in an otherwise challenging season where he's batting just .209. Starting pitcher Paul Skenes delivered a solid outing, allowing one earned run over six innings and striking out six, lowering his impressive season ERA to 1.90. Although not factoring into the decision, Skenes has now recorded eight straight quality starts, reinforcing his status as a top-tier fantasy option. The game also featured a notable defensive error by the Pirates that allowed the Astros to score two runs in the fifth. Ultimately, Taylor's late-game heroics and Skenes's consistent performance contributed significantly to the Pirates' victory.