On July 31, 2024, in Houston, Texas, Mauricio Dubon of the Houston Astros made a significant impact by hitting a two-run home run as a pinch hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates. This victory marked the Astros’ seventh consecutive win with Framber Valdez as the starting pitcher. The game ended with a score of 5-4 in favor of the Astros, concluding a three-game interleague series.
Dubon’s home run, the first of his career as a pinch hitter, came in the sixth inning against Pirates reliever Colin Holderman. This pivotal moment helped the Astros come back from a four-run deficit earlier in the game, with Dubon’s home run being his fourth of the season. Yainer Diaz, who had a strong performance in the previous game with four hits, also contributed to the team’s victory by going 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI.
Despite a shaky start in the second inning where Valdez allowed four runs, he showed resilience and finished the game strong. Valdez recorded a season-high-tying 10 strikeouts over six innings, allowing four runs on six hits. The bullpen, consisting of Bryan Abreu, Ryan Pressly, and Josh Hader, also delivered solid performances by each pitching a scoreless inning, with Hader securing his 21st save.
On the Pirates’ side, Jake Woodford made his Pittsburgh debut as the starting pitcher. While Woodford posted three strikeouts and no walks over five innings, the Pirates’ defense, particularly shortstop Oneil Cruz, faltered with three errors that led to three unearned runs for the Astros. Despite these challenges, Woodford retired the last seven batters he faced after the Astros closed in on the lead.
Overall, the Astros’ victory not only extended their winning streak but also allowed them to reclaim a share of first place in the American League West. The team’s resilience and strong performances from key players like Mauricio Dubon and Framber Valdez were instrumental in securing the win against the Pirates.