Pirates 3, Astros 2, 12 Innings

Clint Barmes doubled with two outs in the bottom of the 12th inning and Josh Harrison singled him home to give the Pirates a 3-2 victory over the Astros. I'm on the road and haven't seen it yet, but here's a thread to discuss it.

The Bucs managed just seven hits on the game, two of which were doubles by Neil Walker. There were also, I gather, some weird managerial decisions on both sides, including a decision to pinch-hit for Casey McGehee with Nate McLouth against Brett Myers with two men on and a tie game in the bottom of the ninth. (McLouth had hit fairly well against Myers in the past, but it was a tiny sample, and this time, he struck out on three pitches.) Also, James McDonald pinch hit and Barmes and Rod Barajas both played first base.

Despite all that, the Pirates came out ahead in the end. A.J. Burnett pitched eight strong innings (giving him four good starts and one terrible one so far this year; it seems unfair that he still has a 5.12 ERA), and the Pirates' bullpen pitched four scoreless frames.

With the series win over the Astros, the Pirates are now 16-18 and are in third in the N.L. Central, for whatever that's worth.