The Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies concluded their close, hard-fought series at Citizens Bank Ballpark on Thursday night. After dropping the first two games of the series, the Bucs avoided the sweep with a 3-2 victory.
Luis Ortiz started for Pittsburgh, earning his fifth victory of the season (5-5), giving up one run on four hits with two walks and four strikeouts in five innings. The bullpen took over from there, collectively giving up one run on one hit and one walk in their four innings. David Bednar tallied his 38th save of the season by shutting things down in the ninth.
Zack Wheeler lasted four innings for Philadelphia, giving up one run on four hits with a walk and five strikeouts. Matt Strahm suffered the loss (9-5), giving up two runs on three hits in the fifth inning, his only frame of work on the night.
The Phillies took the early lead on Thursday by scoring a run in the first inning. Kyle Schwarber connected on his 46th homerun of the season, a solo shot to right center field to make it 1-0.
Pittsburgh tied the game in the top of the third on an RBI double by Jared Triolo which scored Jason Delay. Triolo’s second double came in the fifth, scoring Bryan Reynolds to make it 2-1 Bucs. Later in the inning, Jack Suwinski singled home Triolo for a much-needed insurance run, which ended up being the game-winning hit.
Philadelphia scored their last run of the game in the bottom of the eighth inning. Trea Turner stole third base, his 30th of the season, and scored on Delay’s throwing error. But the Phillies couldn’t get that tying run home in the ninth, as Bednar shut things down to secure the victory.
This was a very close series between these two cross-state rivals. Each game was decided by one run, and after dropping two very close games, this Bucs team once again showed a lot of resiliency to come back and take the final game of the series.
The Pirates return home to Pittsburgh for their final series of the season this weekend. The Miami Marlins will be in town for three games, beginning Friday night at PNC Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35pm.
Record vs. Phillies: 3-3
Record vs. N.L. East: 15-15
Record on the Road: 37-44
Overall Record: 75-84
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
