Pittsburgh Pirates Defeat Philadelphia Phillies, Win Weekend Series

On Sunday afternoon, the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Philadelphia Phillies by a score of 1-0 to win their weekend series at PNC Park.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are now 20-24 this season. This comes after a 1-0 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday afternoon. This victory gave the Bucs a series victory over the weekend.

It was a good homestand for the Pirates as the team finished 4-2. They won both series, and that included a series victory over the Washington Nationals who own the best record in the National League.

Sunday afternoon’s game was a pitcher’s duel. Both starting pitchers, Chad Kuhl and Aaron Nola, had great outings and limited the opposing offenses.

Sunday was Chad Kuhl’s best start of the season for the Pittsburgh Pirates. In fact, it was one of the best starts of his young Major League career.

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Chad Kuhl pitched 5 scoreless innings on Sunday. He held the Phillies to just 1 hit, 2 walks, and he struck out 5. He did not allow a hit until there was 1 out in the 5th inning. He needed 82 pitches to get through the 5th inning.

Kuhl was only pulled due to the pitcher’s spot coming up with a man on base, 2 outs, and the game tied at zero in the bottom of the 5th inning. If not for this, Kuhl would have pitched at least another inning. Pinch-hitter Jose Osuna wound up flying out to center field.

Wade LeBlanc pitched the top of the 6th inning for the Pirates. He would retire the Phillies in order, keeping the game scoreless.

The Pittsburgh Pirates scored their lone run of the game in the bottom of the 6th inning. Adam Frazier and Josh Harrison singled to start the inning. Then, Josh Bell was intentionally walked to load the bases with just 1 out.

David Freese was then hit by a pitch, Frazier scored, and the Pirates took a 1-0 lead. John Jaso, who finished the game 1-for-2 with a walk, then came to the plate with the bases still loaded. Unfortunately, he hit into an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play.

LeBlanc started the top of the 7th inning for the Pirates but would be pulled after allowing a 1-out single. Juan Nicasio was then called upon to finish off the inning. Nicasio did just that by getting Maikel Franco to pop out to shortstop and Brock Stassi to fly out to center field.

The 8th inning belonged to Felipe Rivero. He retired the first two batters he faced and then got Cesar Hernandez to bounce back to him. However, Rivero threw the ball away allowing Hernandez to reach.

This was followed by a Freddy Galvis single, giving the Phillies runners on first and second with 2 outs. However, Rivero would then strikeout Aaron Altherr to end the inning.

Closer Tony Watson was called upon by Clint Hurdle in the 9th inning. He started the inning by striking out Michael Saunders. Odubel Herrera then hit a dribbler in front of the plate that Chris Stewart picked up and tagged Herrera with for the second out of the inning. Maikel Franco would then ground out to third base to end the game.

Tony Watson has now recorded a 1-2-3 9th inning each of the past two days. This comes after not recording a 1-2-3 inning all season prior to yesterday.

With the victory on Sunday, the Pirates have now won back-to-back series. This includes winning 6 of their last 8 games overall. Additionally, their schedule will not be getting more difficult anytime soon.

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The Pittsburgh Pirates start a 4 game series with the lowly Atlanta Braves tomorrow night. This will be the Pirates first trip to the brand new Suntrust Park in Atlanta. First pitch is scheduled for 7:35 PM. Gerrit Cole is scheduled to start for the Pirates, while the Braves plan to go with Mike Foltynewicz. The Pirates are 3-0 against the Braves this season.

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