The Arizona Diamondbacks ended their four-game losing streaking on Friday night while handing the Pittsburgh Pirates their third loss in a row. The N.L. West-leading club beat the Bucs by a 7-3 score in the first game of three-game weekend series.
For Pittsburgh’s starter Rich Hill, it was a combination of high pitch count and location issues in key situations that led to his demise on the mound. The Bucs’ left hander fell to 7-9 on the season, giving up five runs on seven hits with four walks in just four innings. Yohan Ramirez gave up a pair of runs in his two innings on the mound, while Dauri Moreta tossed a pair of scoreless frames.
Offensively, the Pirates had issues solving Arizona starter Zac Gallen, who improved to 11-3 on the season. The D-Backs’ hurler gave up one run on four hits with no walks and five strikeouts.
Arizona broke a scoreless tie and later took control of the game with a four-run third inning. A single by Corbin Carroll scored Jake McCarthy to make it 1-0, which was followed by a three-run homerun by Lourdes Gurriel Jr., which would end up being enough to win the game.
An inning later, Gurriel Jr. added a double to his impressive night at the plate, scoring McCarthy again to make it 5-0. Pittsburgh answered in the fifth and got themselves on the scoreboard. Tucupita Marcano singled home Jared Triolo to make it 5-1, but a two-run inning by Arizona made it 7-1.
The Pirates did add a pair of runs in the top of the eighth. Carlos Santana’s single to center field scored Henry Davis and Bryan Reynolds, but that would be all the comeback the Bucs could muster on this night.
The tough losses on this current road trip have continued from Los Angeles and now to Arizona. Prior to Friday night’s game, Andrew McCutchen (right elbow inflammation) and Ke’Bryan Hayes (lower back inflammation) were both placed on the 10-day injured list. To take the active roster spots, Pittsburgh reinstated first baseman Ji Man Choi from the 60-day IL and recalled right-hander Cody Bolton.
The Pirates will look to end their three-game skid and right the ship on Saturday when they send All-Star Mitch Keller to the mound. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10pm.
Record vs. Diamondbacks: 1-3
Record vs. N.L. West: 13-10
Record on the Road: 18-27
Overall Record: 40-48
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
