Pittsburgh Pirates: Ex-Astros Burn Their Old Team & Other Takeaways From Series Win

HOUSTON, TX - JUNE 27: Max Stassi #12 of the Houston Astros reacts as Josh Bell #55 of the Pittsburgh Pirates congratulates Starling Marte #6 after a solo home run in the fifth inning at Minute Maid Park on June 27, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - JUNE 27: Max Stassi #12 of the Houston Astros reacts as Josh Bell #55 of the Pittsburgh Pirates congratulates Starling Marte #6 after a solo home run in the fifth inning at Minute Maid Park on June 27, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – JUNE 27: Joe Musgrove #59 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on June 27, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – JUNE 27: Joe Musgrove #59 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on June 27, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Ex-Astros Burned Their Old Squad

Last offseason the Pittsburgh Pirates traded Gerrit Cole to the Houston Astros for Colin Moran, Jason Martin, Joe Musgrove, and Michael Feliz. After not appearing in Tuesday night’s game, Martin was optioned back to Triple-A for Wednesday night’s starting pitcher Dario Agrazal. The other three ex-Astros would go on to play a large role in the Pirates series victory.

Feliz pitched both on Tuesday night and Thursday afternoon. He faced four batters between the two outings and retired all four. This included a pair of strikeouts on Thursday. Quietly, Feliz has started to pitch well out of the Pirate bullpen.

On Tuesday night Moran started at third base and on Thursday he was at second base. Moran was 3-for-9 in the series with a pair of doubles. This included picking up his 42nd RBI of the season in Thursday’s 4-run 1st inning.

Finally, there was Musgrove. Big Joe started for the Pirates in Thursday’s series finale and dominated his ex-club. In 6 shutout innings of work, Musgrove allowed nine hits, all of which were singles, he did not walk a batter, and he struck out five.

It had to feel good for all three of these players to perform well in their return to Houston. Not only did the Pirates pick up a series victory, but all three of these players had strong series and played a role in their new club taking the series.