PITTSBURGH, July 9 (UPI) -- Hunter Pence drove in the go-ahead run with a groundout in the seventh Wednesday and Houston, despite blowing a four-run lead, downed Pittsburgh 6-4.
Geoff Blum hit a three-run homer during Houston's four-run first inning, but the Pirates came back to tie the game in the fifth.
The Astros then avoided a three-game sweep by scoring twice in the seventh and getting solid relief pitching from Chris Sampson and Jose Valverde.
Michael Bourn led off the Houston seventh with a bunt single off losing pitcher Sean Burnett (0-1). Bourn moved to second on a sacrifice by Brad Ausmus and reached third ahead of the throw by catcher Ryan Doumit on Mark Loretta's dribbler in front of the plate.
That brought up Pence, whose grounder to third scored Bourn with the go-ahead run. Kazuo Matsui then doubled home Loretta.
Brian Moehler (5-4) got the victory despite letting the four-run lead get away. Valverde earned his 23rd save.
