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Astros Vs. Pirates: Houston Ends Series In Pittsburgh With Loss

Brandon Laird hit a two-run homer for Houston, but it wasn't enough as the Astros fell 6-3.

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Astros Vs. Pirates Final Score: Houston Thwarted By Wandy Rodriguez In Game 2

Although they saw a familiar foe on the mound in former ace Wandy Rodriguez, the Houston Astros still couldn't get the better of the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night in a 6-2 loss.

Rodriguez, who won 80 games with the Astros dating back to the 2005 season, posted seven innings of four-hit ball against his old team to pick up his 10th victory of 2012 and his third since joining the Pirates. At the other end of the spectrum, Houston right-hander Jordan Lyles did not far quite as well in his outing however, as the 21-year-old left after just 4.2 innings after serving up five runs on seven hits.

Offensively, All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve swiped his 28th base of the season in addition to going 1-for-4 from the plate. Infielder Brett Wallace also followed up his 3-for-4 performance in game one with an RBI double. Seeking to wrap up their trip to PNC Park on a high note, the Astros will send Fernando Abad to the hill on Wednesday looking to win the three-game series.

Head over to The Crawfish Boxes for more Astros coverage, and be sure to visit Bucs Dugout for more on the Pirates. Also be sure to check out Baseball Nation for more news and analysis from around the league.

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Astros Vs. Pirates: Houston Faces Wandy Rodriguez In Game 2

Coming off a series-opening 5-1 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday, the Houston Astros will try to make it two in a row Tuesday night.

If the Astros were to win their second game in a row, it would be only the second time they've won consecutive games since the All-Star break. The other instance was a series of back-to-back wins against the Milwaukee Brewers on Aug. 10 and 11.

The Astros have only won at least two games in a row eight times this season.

Here are the lineups.

For the Astros:

1. 2B Jose Altuve (R)

2. SS Tyler Greene (R)

3. 1B Brett Wallace (L)

4. CF Justin Maxwell (R)

5. C Jason Castro (L)

6. RF Matt Downs (R)

7. LF Jimmy Paredes (S)

8. 3B Brandon Laird (R)

9. P Jordan Lyles (R)

For the Pirates:

1. 2B Brock Holt (L)

2. RF Travis Snider (L)

3. CF Andrew McCutchen (R)

4. 1B Garrett Jones (L)

5. 3B Pedro Alvarez (L)

6. C Michael McKenry (R)

7. LF Alex Presley (L)

8. SS Clint Barmes (R)

9. P Wandy Rodriguez (R)

Rodriguez will face his old team for the second time. His first appearance for the Pirates on July 28 was against Houston. His line that day: Six innings, six hits, three runs (all earned), five strikeouts and five walks. The Pirates won, 4-3.

First pitch at PNC Park in Pittsburgh is at 6:05 p.m. CT.

Check out The Crawfish Boxes for more on the Houston Astros, or take a peek at SB Nation's MLB hub, Baseball Nation.

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