Jonathan Sanchez helps Pirates beat Astros

(AP) Jonathan Sanchez pitched three strong innings and Garrett Jones and Ivan DeJesus Jr. each had two hits in the Pittsburgh Pirates' 3-2 exhibition victory over the Houston Astros on Friday.

Sanchez, the left-hander trying to earn a spot in the Pirates' rotation, gave up a leadoff single to Jose Altuve in the first inning, then retired nine in a row.

Tyler Greene's single in the fifth off Jeanmar Gomez was Houston's only other hit until Jose Martinez drove in two runs with a two-out single in the ninth.

Houston starter Brad Peacock gave up one run on four hits in five innings. Pedro Alvarez, Jones and DeJesus singled off Peacock in the second inning to produce the Pirates' first run.

Three straight hits off Chia-Jen Lo, including an RBI double by Travis Snider, led to two more Pittsburgh runs in the seventh.