The Pittsburgh Pirates ended their six-game road trip with an afternoon tilt against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday. These two teams split the first two games of the series, and San Diego needed a win to keep pace in the NL Wild Card race. Pittsburgh had other thoughts as they would use a trio of solo home runs to pick up a 3-2 victory.
Ji Man Choi launched the first home run of the day, a 405 ft. shot to right center, in the second inning. The Padres answered in the third when Manny Machado hit an RBI double to left center. Bryan Reynolds got the Pirates the lead back in the fourth with a 405 ft. home run to left center. Carlos Santana added what would be the winning run in the ninth with a 446 ft. homer to right center. A bases loaded walk in the bottom of the inning got San Diego back to within one run, but that was all the closer they would get.
Johan Oviedo pitched six innings for Pittsburgh this afternoon. He allowed one run on three hits with three walks and five strikeouts. The seventh belonged to Carmen Mlodzinski who struck out one batter. Colin Holderman worked a clean eighth, before David Bednar earned his 20th save of the season in the ninth. It was a rough one though as he would allow one run on one hit, with two walks and two strikeouts.
Padres starter Seth Lugo would throw seven strong innings today. He would allow two runs on three hits with eight strikeouts. Nick Martinez entered the game in the eighth, allowing one hit while striking out two batters. The ninth would go to Robert Suarez who allowed one run on one hit.
It was great to see the Pirates win a series, something they had not done since sweeping San Diego at PNC Park back at the end of June. Pittsburgh will have an off day on Thursday before beginning a five-game home stand on Friday. First up will be a three-game series with their cross-state rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies.
Record vs. Padres: 5-1
Record vs. N.L. West: 16-15
Record on the Road: 22-30
Overall Record: 45-57
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
