Astros rally in eighth, topple Pirates

Associated Press

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Humberto Quintero hit the go-ahead single in a three-run eighth inning to lift the Houston Astros to a 6-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night.

The Astros trailed 4-3 before Hunter Pence walked and scored on a fielder’s choice to tie it up in the eighth. Clint Barmes reached on an error by Brandon Wood when his grounder bounced off his glove and into the outfield to leave runners at the corners with one out.

Quintero’s knock to shallow left field off Jose Veras (2-3) sent one home to give Houston the lead. Michael Bourn added an insurance run with his two out, RBI single off Chris Leroux that made it 6-4.

Sergio Escalona (2-1) struck out two in a scoreless eighth before Houston closer Mark Melancon pitched a perfect ninth for his seventh save.

The Astros led 3-0 after three innings, thanks to a two-run homer by Jeff Keppinger. But the Pirates rallied behind a home run by Neil Walker in the fifth and consecutive homers by Lyle Overbay and Wood in a three-run sixth inning.

Walker had a season-high four hits and homered for the first time since June 5 to extend his hitting streak to 10 games.

After Pence walked in the eighth inning, he advanced to second on a groundout by Carlos Lee. He stole third base and scored when he slid in behind catcher Michael McKenry when Brett Wallace reached on a fielder’s choice to tie it at 4-4. Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle rushed out to home plate and argued the call for a couple of minutes before retreating to the dugout.

Bourn finished with three hits and Keppinger had a double to go along with his home run to help the Astros snap a five-game losing skid and win for just the second time this month.

Pittsburgh starter Paul Maholm yielded three runs and a season-high-tying nine hits in five innings.