Baseball is crazy game. Last night the Pittsburgh Pirates lit up the scoreboard to win their series opener against the Atlanta Braves. Tonight, it would be the complete opposite, as defense and pitching led the way, but in the end, it would be a walk off walk by Bryan Reynolds that got the winning run across the plate in a 2-1 Pittsburgh victory.
Chad Kuhl was on the mound for the Pirates and was solid tonight. In his last start he complained of a blister issue, but he worked through six innings allowing just one run on four hits to go with seven strikeouts and zero walks. That lone run allowed came in the fifth inning on an Orlando Arcia home run to left center. His mound opponent Ian Anderson pitched five innings allowing one run on five hits, with three walks and three strikeouts. Reynolds would hit a sac fly off him in the third to bring in Adam Frazier.
Both bullpens worked hard to give their team a chance to win tonight. Chris Stratton came on in the seventh for Pittsburgh and gave up one hit, with a walk and strikeout. The eighth belonged to David Bednar and he would also walk and strikeout one batter during that inning. Richard Rodriguez pitched the ninth and was in line for his fourth win of the season after keeping Atlanta off the board.
The Braves would use three pitchers out of their pen prior to the ninth inning. During those three innings they would allow three hits with one walk and three strikeouts. Tyler Matzek came on in the ninth to try and extend the game to extra innings. He would walk Rodolfo Castro, who was called up from AA earlier in the day, then allow a single to Adam Frazier. Ke’Bryan Hayes then stepped to the plate and drew a walk to load the bases for Reynolds. Reynolds was able to draw the third walk of the inning to bring in Castro for the game winning run.
This win tonight give the Pirates three straight and ensures them of a series win. Before the game tonight Gregory Polanco was placed on the 10-day IL and Phillip Evans was placed on the 7-day concussion IL. Castro and Cole Tucker were brought up to fill their roster spots. This three-game series will wrap up tomorrow afternoon at 12:35pm with Wil Crowe pitching against Drew Smyly.
Record vs. Braves: 3-3
Record vs. N.L. East: 6-7
Record at Home: 19-24
Overall Record: 32-53
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
