Pittsburgh Pirates

Power Rankings Fresh Take Week 8

Barry Larkin compares his power rankings with ESPN.com's rankings.

Alvarez Solo Shot Stands Up

From Elias: The Pirates posted a 1-0 win with Jeff Locke, Mark Melancon and Jason Grilli combining to limit the Astros to three hits while Pedro Alvarez provided the offense with a fifth-inning home run. Alvarez was the third player to homer for the Pirates in a 1-0 victory at PNC Park, which opened for business in 2001. Humberto Cota homered there in a 1-0 win against the Mets in 2004 and Jason Bay's solo shot produced the game's lone run in a victory over the Reds in 2008.

Locke shuts down Astros as Pirates stay hot

Jeff Locke allowed three hits over seven innings, Pedro Alvarez homered and the Pittsburgh Pirates won for the eighth time in 10 games, 1-0 over the Houston Astros on Sunday.

Weekend wrap: Here comes Profar!

A quick warning about Jurickson Profar's call to the majors to replace the disabled Ian Kinsler: Do not expect Mike Trout; do not expect Bryce Harper; do not expect Manny Machado.

Minnesota Twins' first pitcher to sit for DH? Bert Blyleven. And happily so.

Pirates Blank Astros

Pedro Alvarez hit a home run, and three Pirates pitchers combined to shut out the Astros 1-0.

Recap: Pittsburgh vs. Houston

A Rare Late Comeback By Astros

From Elias: The Astros rallied from a 2-1 eighth-inning deficit to win 4-2 in 10 innings at Pittsburgh. Entering Saturday, Houston had been 4-134 (.029) since April 15, 2012 in games in which it trailed at any point in the seventh inning or later. Every other MLB team had at least twice as many wins and a winning percentage more than double that of the Astros in such games over that span.

Astros 4, Pirates 2(11)

Astros 4, Pirates 2(11)