The Pittsburgh Pirates headed to Target Field Friday night to begin a three-game series with the Minnesota Twins. Minnesota currently leads their division and is looking to get hot heading into the postseason. They would start the series off right with some timely hitting and solid pitching to pick up the game one win.
The Twins jumped on the board first when Michael Taylor hit a two-run home run to left center in the fourth. That lead increased to three in the sixth on an RBI single by Donovan Solano. Pittsburgh scored their lone run in the seventh when Bryan Reynolds plated Alika Williams on a single to center. Minnesota would add two insurance runs in the bottom half of the inning to round out the scoring.
The Pirates continued to not get much length out of their starters. Andre Jackson worked 4.1 innings allowing two runs on four hits with six strikeouts and three walks. Ryan Borucki gave up one run on one hit with a strikeout while pitching an inning. Colin Shelby collected two outs in the sixth, both via strikeout, before Angel Perdomo took over in the seventh. He would allow two runs on three hits, while walking and striking out a batter. Yohan Ramirez covered the final 1.1 innings, allowing a hit and collecting a strikeout.
Pablo Lopez earned his ninth win of the season while working six innings. He would give up six hits, to go along with seven strikeouts and two walks. Caleb Thielbar did not collect an out before being lifted for Griffin Jax in the seventh. Jax would strikeout two batters. Emilio Pagan struck out one in the eighth and Jhoan Duran struck out three and allowed a hit in the ninth.
The Twins only outhit Pittsburgh 10-9, but Minnesota used some timely hits to put runs on the board. Even with the Pirates using young pitchers, it would be nice to see them work deeper into games to take some pressure off a taxed bullpen. Game two of this series will take place Saturday night at 7:10pm. Mitch Keller will take on Sonny Gray.
Record vs. Twins: 0-1
Record vs. American League: 14-24
Record on the Road: 25-36
Overall Record: 54-68
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
