Pittsburgh Pirates 5, Philadelphia Phillies 3: Stars And Stiffs

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

On Tuesday night the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Philadelphia Phillies by a score of 5-3. With the win, the Bucs snapped their four game losing streak.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have won a game, yay! On Tuesday night the Pirates came from behind to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies by a score of 5-3. With the win, the Pirates are now 70-73 on the season.

The Pittsburgh Pirates got a fantastic start from Ivan Nova. However, due to poor offense Nova left the game with the Pirates trailing. But the Bucs were able to rally against Phillies’ closer Jeanmar Gomez in the ninth on their way to victory. Here are the Pittsburgh Pirates three stars and stiffs from Tuesday night.

STARS

Starting pitcher Ivan Nova – Ivan Nova’s unbelievable work as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates continued on Tuesday night. Even though he received a no-decision in the game, Nova was excellent.

In six innings pitched Ivan Nova allowed two runs, one earned, on five hits, one walk, and 11 strikeouts. The 11 strikeouts are a new season high for Nova. With each and every start he makes, Nova’s free agent stock continues to rise.

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Pinch hitter Sean Rodriguez – In Tuesday night’s victory Sean Rodriguez had just one at bat. However, it was hands down the biggest at bat of the entire game.

In the top of the ninth inning Sean Rodriguez was called upon to pinch hit. He stepped to the plate with the Pirates trailing 3-2, two men on base, and no one out. Rodriguez then proceeded to drive a Jeanmar Gomez breaking ball over the right field wall for a go ahead three-run home run.

This home run was Rodriguez’s 13th of the season, and his second career pinch hit home run. The 13 home runs that Rodriguez has hit this year is a new career high. He would then go on to stay in the game and play first base in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Shortstop Jordy Mercer – The strong season for shortstop Jordy Mercer continued on Tuesday night. The Bucco shortstop was 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and two runs scored in Tuesday’s victory. He also played a great defensive shortstop in this game.

Mercer had a huge at bat in the top of the ninth inning. With the Pirates trailing 3-2 and pinch runner Alen Hanson on first base Mercer lined a double down the right field line. This gave the Pirates runners on second and third with no one out, and helped set up the Pirates’ come from behind victory.

STIFFS 

Relief pitcher Felipe Rivero – Felipe Rivero has been very good as a Pittsburgh Pirate. However, Tuesday night was not his best outing. For just the third time in 20 2/3 innings pitched as a member of the Pirates, Rivero allowed a run.

In the bottom of the eighth inning Rivero inherited a game that was tied at two. However, by the end of the inning the Phillies had the lead. Rivero allowed one run on a hit and two walks. Luckily, the offense was able to pick up Rivero in the top of the ninth inning.

Second baseman Adam Frazier – Adam Frazier started at second base for the Pirates on Tuesday night. Through the first few months of his Major League career Frazier has been a dynamic hitters. However, he struggled on Tuesday night.

Frazier went 1-for-5 in Tuesday night’s victory. This included a strikeout and leaving three men on base. Frazier also struggled on defense in Tuesday’s game. A fourth inning error led to the Phillies scoring an unearned run. Also, a poor throw by Frazier in the sixth inning screwed up a tailor made 6-4-3 double play and led to another Phillies’ run.

Right fielder Gregory Polanco – The September struggles of Gregory Polanco continued on Tuesday night. Even though Polanco has had a big breakout season for the Pirates in 2016, he is, unfortunately, not finishing it on a strong note.

Polanco went 0-for-4 with a strikeout and two men left on base on Tuesday night. Gregory Polanco is now stuck in an 0-for-14 skid. Hopefully, he will bust out of it soon and finish the season strong.

Next: Pirates Swing A Deal With The Mariners

That will do it for tonight. Hopefully this win will be the start of a good stretch for the Pittsburgh Pirates that will allow them to get back above .500 before the end of the season. The Pirates will look to make it two in a row tomorrow night at 7:05 when they send Steven Brault to the mound, while the Phillies will counter with Jake Thompson.