Pirates Top Astros, 1-0
HOUSTON (KDKA/AP) -- The Pirates climbed back to .500, beating the Houston Astros, 1-0.
Jeff Karstens (4-4, 2.66 ERA) struck out four and allowed no runs over six and two-thirds innings in Houston on Tuesday night.
The Astros (25-43) managed four hits on the Pirates' bullpen.
Garrett Jones drove in the only run of the game at the top of the second on Bud Norris' fastball.
Norris (4-5, 3.48 ERA) allowed six hits and struck out nine batters over seven innings on the mound.
Houston's Hunter Pence went 0 for 4 to snap his career-best 23-game hitting streak, which was the longest current streak in the majors and the second-longest overall this season.
Chris Resop and Tony Watson each recorded an out for Pittsburgh before Tim Wood got into trouble in the eighth. Chris Johnson hit a one-out single and pinch-hitter Matt Downs walked before Jose Veras retired Jason Michaels and Michael Bourn to end the inning.
Joel Hanrahan picked up his 18th save after a perfect ninth inning.
