The Houston Astros shutout the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-0 yesterday afternoon, completing a stretch of nine consecutive games against American League teams. The Pirates managed just three hits in the game. Starting pitcher Rich Hill allowed two earned runs on five hits over six innings and took the loss. Two relievers allowed five runs in the seventh and eighth innings.
The Bucs begin a four-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals tonight. First pitch is 7:45pm. The Bucs are 7-5 in their first 12 games. The Cardinals are 5-7.
The Pirates are losing starting pitcher JT Brubaker for the season and deep into next year. The 29-year old had reconstructive surgery on his pitching elbow and will miss the next 14-to-16 months. Brubaker started 28 games last season, going 3-12 with a 4.69 ERA.