SERIES REVIEW: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Rockies

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Game One: Francisco Liriano (9-6, 3.23ERA) vs. Jon Gray (0-0, 5.94ERA)

Result: Pirates win 5-3

Winning Pitcher: Tony Watson (3-1, 2.10ERA)

Losing Pitcher: Scott Oberg (3-3, 5.67ERA)

Save: Mark Melancon (42, 1.45ERA)

• What went right:
  • A piping hot cup of coffee. Gregory Polanco continued his evolution and had an incredible game at the plate and in the field. He went 3-5 with an RBI and two runs scored. He also had two outfield assists, including throwing out Jose Reyes at the plate to keep the game tied in the eighth inning.
  • Francisco Liriano didn’t have his best stuff, but he was good enough. He went six innings, allowed three runs on four hits and struck out five.
  • Jung Ho Kang keeps showing the baseball world why he should be the NL Rookie of the Year. He went 2-4 with two RBI.
  • The Formula of Joakim Soria, Tony Watson and Mark Melancon shut the game down again as the three of them allowed no runs on one hit in three innings of work.

• What went wrong:
  • Jose Reyes had a pretty solid game for the Rockies. He went 2-4 with a home run, two RBI and a run scored.
  • Jordy Mercer was weirdly caught stealing when Francisco Liriano was attempting a bunt.
  • Jung Ho Kang grounded into a double play to end the fifth inning.
  • Carlos Gonzalez hit an absolutely towering game-tying home run. He went 1-4 on the day.

Filthy Frankie was able to lead the Pirates to a win. The Pirates would turn to another left handed pitcher to seal yet another series victory and take the Pirates to a watermark they haven’t known since 1992.

Next: Game Two: Happ vs. Rusin