Astros defeat Bucs

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Geoff Blum hit a three-run homer in the first inning and the Houston Astros avoided a three-game sweep by beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-4 on Wednesday night.

Kazuo Matsui, Ty Wigginton and Michael Bourn each had two hits for the Astros, who blew a four-run lead before scoring twice in the seventh. Last-place Houston, which had lost seven of eight, is one game behind the Pirates in the NL Central.