Falter Solid in Return, Déjà Vu For Taylor in Pirates Win Over Astros

While the trade deadline dominated the news cycle on Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Pirates still had a game to play against the Houston Astros.

Bailey Falter returned from the injured list and delivered a strong start while Michael A. Taylor homered for the second-straight game in the Pirates’ 6-2 win over the Astros at Minute Maid Park. 

Falter (5-7) allowed a pair of runs, one of which was earned, in 5.1 innings pitched. The left-hander allowed six hits, didn’t walk a batter and struck out three. It was his first start with the Pirates (55-52) since July 6.

Yainer Diaz connected on a solo homer against Falter to get the Astros (55-52) on the board. Falter was lifted for Dennis Santana after 66 pitches following a Yordan Alvarez base hit. Alvarez would score from after Jeremy Peña beat out a double play ball. Alvarez advanced to third on a throwing error from shortstop Oneil Cruz earlier in the inning.

Taylor once again connected on a long home run to left field. After serving as the hero with a game-winning homer in the ninth inning on Monday, Taylor belted a two-run shot off of Astros starter Hunter Brown to extend the Pirates’ lead to 5-1. 

MICHAEL A+ TAYLOR 👏 pic.twitter.com/R7CJDjADHr

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) July 31, 2024

With two on and nobody out in the second, Jared Triolo bounced into a double play, but Ke’Bryan Hayes scored from third to give the Pirates a 1-0 lead.

The Pirates seized on a defensive miscue in the fourth. Connor Joe bounced one back to Brown (9-7), who delivered a throw that was out of reach of first baseman Jon Singleton. Joey Bart scored on what was ruled a single and a throwing error and Joe moved up to third. Joe scored after Triolo followed the play with a double to left field. 

Joe finished the game with three hits. Bart finished 2 for 4 with a walk.

Andrew McCutchen drew a bases-loaded walk in the top of the eighth inning to pad the Pirates’ lead by a run.

Hunter Stratton made his first appearance since being activated from the injured list and preserved the win with a scoreless ninth.

Up Next

The Pirates have yet to announce a starter as they go for the sweep in Wednesday’s series finale. It was scheduled to be Martín Pérez before he was traded to the San Diego Padres. Framber Valdez (9-5, 3.43) will start for the Astros. First pitch: 8:10 ET.

News and Notes

• The Pirates placed RHP Carmen Mlodzinski on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder strain and selected RHP Jake Woodford from Triple-A Indianapolis.
• Additionally, LHP Jalen Beeks, who was acquired by the Pirates on Monday, was added to the active roster.
• RHP Daulton Jefferies was transferred to the 60-day injured list and RHP Ryder Ryan was designated for assignment.
• The Pirates made a total of five trades on Tuesday’s deadline. For information on each once, check out PittsburghBaseballNow.com.