Houston's road woes continued on the Fourth of July, as the Astros fell to a staggering 9-31 (!) on the road, losing 6-4 to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Houston starter Dallas Keuchel picks up his first ever loss in the big leagues, as he lasted just five and 2/3 innings. Keuchel gave up four runs on seven hits, while walking four and striking out two. Just 59 of Keuchel's 99 pitches were strikes.
Houston led 2-0 after the top of the second inning, thanks to a Jason Castro sacrifice fly in the first, and Brian Bogusevic RBI single in the top half of the second. Pittsburgh took the lead in the bottom half of the second, though, as Michael McKenry hit a sacrifice fly of his own, before Clint Barmes knocked in two with a single.
McKenry added to the lead in the fourth, with an RBI double, giving Pittsburgh a 4-2 lead. Jose Altuve would hit into a fielder's choice that plated Bogusevic in the fifth, but the Pirates plated two more runs on a Pedro Alvarez single in the seventh.
J.D. Martinez hit a solo homer for the Astros in the top of the ninth, but it wasn't enough as Houston lost 6-4.
Kevin Correria picked up the win for Pittsburgh. Correria pitched six innings, giving up three runs on six hits and two walks, while striking out one. Brad Lincoln and Jason Grilli each picked up a hold, pitching an inning in relief each, before giving way to Joel Hanrahan, who picked up his 21st save of the year.
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