Smith has tiebreaking 2-run triple in 8th to help the Astros beat the Pirates 11-9

HOUSTON (AP) — Cam Smith hit a tiebreaking two-run triple to cap Houston’s six-run eighth inning, Isaac Paredes homered and the Astros overcame a five-run deficit to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 11-9 on Wednesday night.

Yordan Alvarez had four hits and two RBIs for the Astros. Smith and Paredes had two hits and three RBIs apiece, and Jeremy Peña went 2 for 3 with a double.

AJ Blubaugh (3-2) pitched the eighth inning to get the victory. Josh Hader made his season debut and worked a scoreless ninth for the save, ending the Pirates' winning streak at four.

Houston starter Spencer Arrighetti, who went 4-1 in five starts with a 0.93 ERA in May, allowed four runs in four innings.

Henry Davis hit his first career grand slam in the fourth inning for Pittsburgh. Nick Gonzalez had a homer, double and three RBIs.

The Pirates have scored nine-plus runs in four consecutive games, the longest streak in the majors this season, and has struck out at least nine batters in eight straight games.

Pittsburgh's Gregory Soto (4-1), who faced four batters, allowed three runs and three hits and walked one.

Pirates RHP Jared Jones (0-0, 10.48 ERA) was set to start Thursday against RHP Kai-Wei Teng (3-3, 2.57) in the series finale.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Pittsburgh Pirates' Nick Gonzales reacts as he ran the bases after hitting his two-run home run against Houston Astros relief pitcher Nate Pearson during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes reacts after Houston Astros' Cam Smith's RBI single during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Gregory Soto delivers to Houston Astros' Yordan Alvarez during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)

Houston Astros closer Josh Hader, left, celebrates the Astros' come-from-behind win with Christian Walker after a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)

Houston Astros' Christian Walker (8) and Isaac Paredes (15) celebrate their runs scored on Cam Smith's RBI triple for the go-ahead runs against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)

SANTOS, Brazil (AP) — As the FIFA World Cup approaches, the image of one of Brazil's most recognizable footballers lives on in Santos, the one-time home of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, far better known as Pelé.

Tourists like Mario Álvarez Gamiño, a 67-year-old retired salesperson from Mexico, flock to Santos to see anything that connects the Brazilian port city to the man. The soccer legend's legacy is everywhere — in vibrant murals by street artist Eduardo Kobra, among the memorabilia of his beloved club and even on posters glued to local lampposts.

“His legacy is fundamental. His life will always be an example to follow,” Álvarez said. “At the moment we have Cristiano Ronaldo ... but he lacks something that Pelé had, which is humility. ... He was really a genius.”

Pelé, who died in 2022 at age 82, played at Santos Futebol Clube for most of his career, from 1956 to 1974. He also played for Brazil's team in the World Cup — including three wins in 1958, 1962 and 1970.

Santos is also home to the Pelé Museum, where fans can learn more about Pelé's life and see various memorabilia, including jerseys and trophies.

“When you tell a foreigner you’re from Santos, the first thing they say is ‘Pelé’. That’s why we at the museum have a great responsibility: to carry the name of Pelé and the city of Santos,” said museum director Paulo Monteiro. "After his death, we now have a greater and more difficult mission, which is to keep his legacy active and alive.”

Many of the more than 400,000 residents of Santos never had the chance to see Pelé in action, but they want the legacy to live on.

Among them is bar owner Anderson Albino.

“As local business owners, we see how much international media comes here and how that draws huge numbers of visitors,” Albino said. “For those of us from the city, it’s a privilege that Pelé played for Santos.”

Savarese reported from Sao Paulo.

AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

People visit the Pele Museum in Santos, Brazil, Thursday, May 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Children visit the Pele Museum in Santos, Brazil, Thursday, May 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Santos fans walk past a mural of late football legend Pele, right, and Neymar outside Vila Belmiro Stadium in Santos, Brazil, Thursday, May 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Santos' Vila Belmiro stadium sits in Santos, Brazil, Thursday, May 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

A man sits in front of a mural of late football legend Pele and Neymar at a restaurant in Santos, Brazil, Thursday, May 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)