Diaz's 4-hit night a bright spot in loss

HOUSTON -- There are not many positives that the Astros can take from Tuesday night’s game against the Pirates at Minute Maid Park. Not only did Houston end the night with a 6-2 loss, but they also lost the series against Pittsburgh and no longer hold the American League West lead.

“You forget about tonight and you get ready for tomorrow,” Astros manager Joe Espada said.

The Mariners defeated the Red Sox 10-6 on Tuesday night and are now one game ahead of the Astros, who have lost three in a row and six of their past nine games.

The loss hurt for Houston starting pitcher Hunter Brown, who had 11 quality starts in his past 12 coming into Tuesday’s game. He stumbled in his outing against the Pirates, allowing nine hits (including a homer) and five runs in 5 2/3 innings. The Astros were down 5-1 by the time he exited the game.

“That one stung a little bit, you know. I felt personally I made some really big mistakes,” Brown said.

Brown made an uncharacteristic defensive error in the fourth inning that allowed a runner to score. As Connor Joe hit the ball, Brown was caught off guard as he attempted to toss the ball to first baseman Jon Singleton. The throw missed Singleton, who ran to retrieve the ball from right field. Joe advanced to third base on the error and Joey Bart scored to put the Pirates up 2-0.

“I kind of lost my footing -- I probably would’ve been better off just holding onto it and trying to get the next guy out,” Brown said. “But you know, obviously [I] try to make a play always [and] it just didn’t work out that time.”

However, the Astros are reaping the benefits of catcher Yainer Diaz as he continues to grow into a more complete player.

Diaz went 4-for-4, producing three singles and a solo homer that put the Astros on the board in the fourth inning. Tuesday was his first four-hit game since June 2023 and just the second of his career.

“He looks really good, hitting some balls hard,” Espada said about Diaz. “You know for me, it’s more like he’s staying in the zone and not chasing and kind of understanding what you need to do to be a good hitter. [He’s] there in the middle of the lineup, so it’s been impressive what he’s done here in the last month and a half.”

In his past 30 games, Diaz logged 46 hits, 24 RBIs and three home runs while batting .374. Diaz is also leading the team with 58 RBIs and is 11-for-21 (.524) during the current homestand.

His consistency as a hitter will only grow more important in the Astros' stretch run, as they did not add another bat at the end of Tuesday’s Trade Deadline, instead acquiring lefty reliever Caleb Ferguson. Espada is confident that Diaz will continue on his upward trajectory.

“You stay after it. You don’t get complacent. ... He’s a good listener. So that’s how you stay good in this league,” Espada said.

Not only is Diaz making strides as one of Houston’s best offensive players, especially in the absence of slugger Kyle Tucker, but Espada lauded the strides he’s made defensively, as well.

“The last couple of weeks he has turned the corner when it comes to how he’s been able to connect with our starters,” Espada said. “It’s a quicker pace. It’s been a lot better. I actually had a conversation with him about that yesterday. That comes first. We know he’s going to hit. He’s a really good hitter and always been a good hitter, but we want him to just to be a complete player. He’s turning out to be that complete that we all know he could become. But offensively, he gets the barrel to the ball and hits the ball hard. He’s done a nice job protecting Yordan Alvarez.”