Pirates, Paul Skenes to open series with host Astros

Locked in a traffic jam of National League wild-card contenders, the Pittsburgh Pirates averted a three-game series sweep at the hands of the Arizona Diamondbacks and built some momentum before facing the host Houston Astros.

Thanks in large part to pinch-hit doubles from Rowdy Tellez and Joey Bart that tied Sunday's game at 2-2 in the ninth inning, the Pirates went on to win 6-5 in 10 innings in Phoenix.

The Pirates pulled out all the stops defensively as well, with catcher Yasmani Grandal making a rare appearance at first base and infielder Jared Triolo shifting to the outfield for the first time since he was in college in 2017.

"This is our biggest victory," Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. "To come back with where we're at ... just to continue to grind through it."

The Pirates roll into Houston on Monday with their ace, rookie right-hander Paul Skenes (6-1, 1.93 ERA), ready to take center stage again.

Skenes, the NL's starter in the All-Star Game, took his first loss in the majors on Tuesday. Against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals, he gave up two runs on four hits with eight strikeouts over 8 1/3 innings. It marked his seventh consecutive start allowing two runs or fewer, and Skenes is 3-1 with a 1.32 ERA during that span.

Skenes will make his first career start against the Astros. He is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA in two interleague starts.

Rookie right-hander Jake Bloss (0-1, 6.94) is scheduled to start the interleague series opener for the Astros. His loss came Tuesday in his third major league start. He allowed five runs on six hits -- including four home runs -- and one walk with five strikeouts over four innings in an 8-2 loss to the host Oakland Athletics.

Bloss surrendered four runs on 10 hits and two walks with six strikeouts over his first 7 2/3 innings covering two starts, both Houston victories.

Bloss will make his first career start against the Pirates and second against the NL. He allowed two runs on four hits and one walk with four strikeouts over four innings but did not factor into the decision of a 6-3 home win over the Miami Marlins on July 11.

Skenes and Bloss were selected in the 2023 draft; Skenes went first overall, while Bloss was taken in the third round, 99th overall. Beyond the disparity in their draft positions, Bloss enters the matchup with a significant hype disadvantage.

"I'm just going to worry about Bloss," Astros manager Joe Espada said. "I think he's worked really hard to get ready for his next start. We expect him to go out there and have a solid outing for us and give us a chance to win."

Even with their 6-2 loss to the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday, the Astros maintained a share of first place in the American League West by claiming the interleague series.

"That's all you can control. You want to win series," Espada said. "We've been playing really well here at home. We're going to be here for another six games, so I'm excited for what's ahead for us."

--Field Level Media