PITTSBURGH -- Lance McCullers Jr. has been getting better with each outing since returning from the injured list for the Astros on May 4 after missing the 2023 and ‘24 seasons because of injuries.
McCullers finally had something to show for it after a masterful performance on Tuesday night in the Astros’ 3-0 victory over the Pirates in the opener of a three-game series at PNC Park.
McCullers got his first win since Sept. 21, 2022, as he blanked the Pirates on two hits over six innings. McCullers struck out seven and walked one.
“He waited a long time for that one,” Astros manager Jose Espada said with a smile. “I’m proud of him. I’m proud of how he has overcome a lot of challenges and keeps getting better. He pitched six strong innings, going head-to-head against one of the best pitchers in the game in Paul Skenes. That’s what you have to do to win a game like this.”
In his last four starts, McCullers has posted a 2.21 ERA. That came after he was tagged for seven runs in one-third of an inning by the Reds on May 10 in his second start of the season.
“It took a while, but we got there,” McCullers said of getting the win. “I’m just happy that I’m kind of back in the mix with the guys, and I’m able to give them legitimate opportunities to win. Obviously, going up against Skenes, a truly special pitcher, I was just trying to give the boys a fighting chance.”
McCullers did that, and the Astros finally broke through against Skenes in the seventh inning as they won for the seventh time in their past nine games.
Christian Walker provided the first bit of offense with a solo home run to left field with one out to break a scoreless tie. Walker drove a first-pitch sweeper for his eighth homer of the season.
“He’s got a lot of pitches and they are all pretty elite,” Walker said. “But you’ve got to be on the fastball, got to be on the heater. It’s 100 mph. So, I just tried to sell out on the fastball as much as I could, and he ended up hanging [a sweeper]. I just recognized and finally found a barrel.”
The veteran first baseman, in his first season with the Astros, was happy to put McCullers in a position to get the win.
“You’re noticing the confidence growing,” Walker said. “It’s just the way he’s navigating at-bats and he’s not afraid to throw his pitches with conviction,”
Isaac Paredes added a two-run shot in the ninth off Dennis Santana to give the Astros breathing room on a night when they got just five hits.
Shawn Dubin, Bryan Abreu and Josh Hader completed the four-hit shutout, the Astros’ sixth of the season. Hader is perfect in 16 save opportunities in 2025.
The Pirates had runners on first and third with two out in the eighth inning while trailing 1-0. However, Victor Caratini threw out Oneil Cruz attempting to steal second, ending the threat.
“The defense was unbelievable all night, and the offense kept grinding at-bats until they finally broke through,” McCullers said. “Then to finish it up, the bullpen was stellar, per usual. It was a good team win, and I was happy to be in the mix and adding value.”