Pittsburgh Pirates series review vs San Francisco Giants

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Game Three: Gerrit Cole (14-7, 2.61ERA) vs. Chris Heston (11-7, 3.34ERA)

Result: Pirates win 3-2

Winning Pitcher: Mark Melancon (3-1, 1.55ERA)

Losing Pitcher: George Kontos (2-2, 1.97ERA)

• What went right:
  • Gerrit Cole returned to his ace form and kept the Giants off-balance all day. He went seven innings, allowed one run (zero earned) on three hits and struck out eight.
  • Jung Ho Kang had maybe the best game of his outstanding rookie season. He went 2-3 with two home runs, two RBI and two runs scored.
  • Mark Melancon was ridiculously dominant in the ninth inning. He threw six pitches in the inning.
  • Starling Marte played the role of walk-off hero as he hit a solo home run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. He went 2-4 on the day.

• What went wrong:
  • Mike Leake pitched very well as he had a no-hitter through five innings. He ended up going six innings, allowed one run on one hit and struck out six.
  • Chris Stewart had a very rough day at the plate. He allowed a wild pitch and a pass ball.
  • Outside of Jung Ho Kang and Starling Marte, the Pirates’ offense didn’t do anything. No one else in the line-up had a hit.
  • Andrew McCutchen and Starling Marte were caught stealing.

Gerrit Cole returned to his ace form and dominated the Giants and put the Pirates into a position to win the series against the defending World Champions. The Pirates sent their outstanding lefty to the mound while the entire nation watched on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball.

Next: Game Four: Liriano vs. Vogelsong