PITTSBURGH, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- Oliver Perez struck out a career-high 14 in eight innings Thursday night, giving Pittsburgh a 3-1 win over Houston in the opener of a doubleheader.
Houston had its 12-game winning streak snapped.
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Perez (10-8) allowed an unearned run on three hits. He became the second pitcher in team history to strikeout 200 batters in a season.
Jose Mesa worked a perfect ninth for his 38th save.
It was only the fourth loss in 24 games for the Astros, who began the day percentage points in front in the NL wild card race.
