Monday, July 30, 2012
Photo
Pittsburgh Pirates’ Garrett Jones (46) misses a catch allowing Houston Astros’ J. D. Martinez to triple in the fifth inning of a baseball game Sunday in Houston. The Astros won 9-5.
Associated Press
HOUSTON
For the first time in a while, the Houston Astros could enjoy a game.
The Astros ended their team-record losing streak at 12, beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-5 Sunday behind three hits and three RBIs from Marwin Gonzalez.
“I’m glad it’s over with, but those guys in there made it a lot better because of the way they played,” Houston manager Brad Mills said.
Houston, a big league-worst 35-68, won for only the third time in 28 games.
The skid matched Kansas City and the Chicago Cubs for the longest in the major leagues this year. It broke the previous Astros’ record of 11, set in 1995 and matched over the end of the 2009 season and start of 2010, STATS LLC said.
Lucas Harrell (8-7) allowed two runs and five hits in 5 2-3 innings, his first victory in five starts since a six-hit shutout against San Diego on June 27.
Harrell, who improved to 6-1 at home this season, said he didn’t feel great about the way he threw the ball, but he made big pitches when he needed to.
“When we have played so well all year long at home and go through a rough homestand like this and then win, that is a big breath of fresh air to be able to do this,” Mills said,
James McDonald (10-5) walked a career-high seven in five innings, allowing five runs and six hits. He has lost consecutive decisions for the first time this season and has an 8.71 ERA in his last four starts.
“The last couple outings have been rough,” McDonald said. “I think every year I’ve pitched, I’ve been in the same situation where you have to fight your way out of a couple of rough starts. I’ve got some work ahead of me.”
Garrett Jones hit a two-run homer in the fourth, a drive into the right-field upper deck. The Pirates have homered in a team-record 19 straight road games.
Schafer’s two-run homer gave the Astros the lead for good in the bottom half. Martinez tripled in the fifth on a ball misplayed by Jones in right and then scored on Scott Moore’s single. Schafer hit an RBI groundout for a 5-2 lead.
Moore singled in a run in the sixth off Kevin Correia. Neil Walker’s RBI double off Fernardo Rodriguez cut the gap to 6-3 in the seventh before Gonzalez hit a three-run double down the left-field line with two outs.