George Springer closed out his 2019 spring training in style, but the Astros lost their spring finale to the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-1 Tuesday at Minute Maid Park.
Springer crushed an Eduardo Reyes 3-0 fastball to left-center field for his second home run of the spring. That was the Astros first hit of the day and they managed just two more the rest of the afternoon as they end spring training 18-12.
Vera was Pittsburgh's third pitcher of the afternoon, and after Brandon Maurer and Tyler Lyons held the Astros scoreless through two innings, Vera tossed five frames, allowing just the one run on three hits. Montana DuRapau and Tate Scioneaux recorded the final six outs for the Pirates.
Astros 2017 first round pick J.B. Bukauskas started for the Astros, surrendering a fourth inning 2-run homer to Melky Cabrera. He allowed those two runs on three hits with three strikeouts in his Minute Maid Park debut. Corbin Martin followed, walking three and striking out six in four hitless innings, though the Pirates tagged Cy Sneed for three runs on five hits in the ninth.
Nick Tanielu and Max Stassi were the only other Astros with hits.
Carlos Correa was in the original starting lineup, but was scratched due to neck stiffness.
