Pirates score 8 runs on homers in series-opening win against Astros

June 3, 2026 - 10:45

HOUSTON - Oneil Cruz paused for a moment of admiration. Across from him, on the mound, former Pirate Mike Burrows shook his head in frustration. Both knew what had just happened. Cruz had launched a towering solo shot into the left-field seats, the eighth home run of the night for a Pittsburgh lineup that simply would not stop swinging.

The Pirates exploded for all eight of their runs via the long ball in a dominant series-opening win against the Houston Astros. It was a display of raw power that left the home crowd stunned and turned a competitive game into a rout by the middle innings. Cruz's blast was the exclamation point, but the damage started early and came from all over the order.

Pittsburgh hitters connected on a barrage of solo and multi-run homers, chasing Astros pitchers from the game before the seventh inning. The offensive outburst was a welcome sight for a team that has struggled to score consistently on the road. Every starter seemed to contribute, with several players going deep for the first time in weeks.

On the other side, Burrows, making a start against his former club, could not escape the onslaught. He was lifted after allowing several of those home runs, a tough outing in a ballpark where he once hoped to build a career. For the Pirates, the win was a statement. They did not need small ball or station-to-station hitting. They simply needed to put the barrel on the ball and let the power do the rest.