Astros 1, Pirates 0

The game isn't yet over and I'm about to run out the door, but here's a thread for you to chat about the game, and I'll finish the recap when I can.

-P- It looks like the Pirates are going to lose this one, and in a pretty obnoxious way, but let's lead with the positive -- James McDonald pitched eight innings and struck out eight, meaning that he's struck out at least seven in four straight starts. McDonald is 27 and has often looked brilliant this season; let's hope we're in the midst of a breakout.

-P- Great play by Jose Tabata and especially Neil Walker and Pedro Alvarez to nail Jed Lowrie at third on a ball hit to the wall. Walker's relay throw was tremendous.

-P- Through eight innings, the Pirates have struck out 11 times and haven't yet walked against Bud Norris and two Astros relievers. Two of those strikeouts came in the sixth after the Pirates loaded the bases with no outs. Tabata struck out, then Nate McLouth popped out, and then Andrew McCutchen whiffed, so the Pirates got no runs.

-P- In the eighth, Rod Barajas led off with a single, but Josh Harrison got picked off, Clint Barmes grounded out and Alex Presley struck out. Ugly stuff.

UPDATE: Yep, 1-2-3 in the ninth, and the Pirates lose 1-0.