The Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies were back in action Wednesday night from Citizens Bank Ballpark. Philadelphia grabbed an extra innings win on Tuesday night to clinch a Wild Card spot, so Pittsburgh looked to get some revenge. Early on it look like that may be the case, but the Phillies battled back to earn a one run victory.
Pittsburgh would plate three runs in the first inning and it started with an RBI single from Ke’Bryan Hayes. Connor Joe then drove in Bryan Reynolds with a single to shallow center. Hayes would come around to score when Henry Davis hit into a double play. Davis would then plate a pair in the third when he singled to center.
The Philadelphia comeback began on a Rodolfo Castro ground out that scored Brandon Marsh. A three-run home run by Garrett Stubbs cut the Pirates lead to one. That lead would grow to two in the fifth when Jack Suwinski tripled to right center to score Joe. A home run by Edmondo Sosa and RBI single from Cristian Pache tied the game at six. Bryce Harper plated the winning run with a solo home run to center in the seventh.
Johan Oviedo allowed six runs on seven hits with two walks and six strikeouts over five innings. Hunter Stratton would pitch a scoreless sixth with three strikeouts before Jose Hernandez came on in the seventh. He would allow the homer to Harper and collect the loss. The final 1.1 innings belonged to Colin Selby. He would strikeout three and walk one.
Ranger Suarez made the start for the Phillies and was hit hard over 4.2 innings. He would allow six runs on nine hits with two walks and four strikeouts. Seranthony Dominguez and Orion Kerkering covered the next 2.1 innings with Kerkering notching the win. Dylan Covey earned a hold, with Gregory Soto snagging his third save of the season.
Always tough to watch a team you cheer for blow a five-run lead, but that can happen when playing one of the hottest teams in baseball. This state rivalry will conclude tomorrow before the Pirates head back to PNC Park on Friday. Game time for the finale is 6:05pm with Zack Wheeler going for Philadelphia. Pittsburgh has yet to name a starter.
Record vs. Phillies: 2-3
Record vs. N.L. East: 14-15
Record on the Road: 36-44
Overall Record: 74-84
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
