Astros 11, Pirates 9: Smith's Eighth-Inning Triple Caps Six-Run Rally

The lead

June 3, 2026 - Houston - Cam Smith hit a tiebreaking two-run triple to cap a six-run eighth inning, Isaac Paredes drove in three runs, and the Houston Astros held on for an 11-9 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, per ESPN's recap.

Houston finished with 16 team FP in AthX Engine scoring on a night when both bullpens struggled to protect leads.

How the game turned

Pittsburgh carried a lead into the late innings behind Nick Gonzales and a productive night from the middle of the order. The Pirates had won four straight entering the series and looked poised to make it five.

Houston answered with six runs in the eighth. Smith's two-run triple off Gregory Soto flipped a 9-7 deficit into a lead the Astros would not surrender. Pittsburgh scored twice in the ninth but could not complete the comeback.

Pitching and matchup notes

Austin Blubaugh (2-1) earned the win in relief. Soto (3-8) took the loss after the eighth-inning collapse. Jhoan Hader recorded the final outs for his save.

The game featured 20 combined runs and 26 hits, the kind of slugfest where daily fantasy scoring spreads across both lineups.

Bats that changed the board

Paredes finished with 10 hitting FP in AthX Engine scoring. Smith's triple was the swing that changed the board, but Paredes and Gonzales (10 FP) showed how a high-scoring game can produce fantasy value on both sides.

AthX Engine fantasy angle

AthX Engine graded Houston at 16 team FP despite a shaky bullpen night. Late-inning rallies with extra-base hits register quickly in daily scoring, separate from dynamic pricing.

What comes next

The Astros and Pirates continue the series Thursday at Daikin Park, per the MLB schedule.

*Sources: MLB.com schedule, ESPN scoreboard, AthX Engine scoring. Information only; not financial advice.*