Pittsburgh Pirates Defeat San Diego Padres To Capture Series Victory

The Pittsburgh Pirates continued their strong road trip with another victory on Sunday afternoon

Sunday afternoon at Petco Park the Pittsburgh Pirates were looking to capture their second series victory in as many played on their current nine-game road trip. Following a 7-5 victory over the San Diego Padres the Pirates have done just that as they have improved to 4-2 on the road trip and 40-43 overall this season.

While Sunday’s game was sloppy at times, in the end the Pirates stood victorious and that is what matters. The Bucs were able to overcome a shaky 6th inning from the bullpen and stranding runners in a few golden scoring opportunities to grab the victory.

Corey Dickerson got the scoring started when he hit a solo home run in the top of the 2nd inning. Dickerson’s 6th home run of the season, and first since May 4th, gave the Pirates an early 1-0 lead.

The lead would not last long, though.

Jameson Taillon started for the Pirates on Sunday afternoon and struggled. Taillon issued a pair of walks in the bottom of the 2nd inning that led to a pair of Padre runs. The San Diego lead would grow to 3-1 when Hunter Renfroe doubled home Wil Myers in the bottom of the 3rd.

A one out single by Colin Moran in the top of the 4th inning was both the beginning of Moran’s big day, as well as the Pirates’ rally. Dickerson would replace Moran on the bases via a fielder’s choice before scoring on an Elias Diaz double that cut the Padre lead to 3-2.

With two away in the top of the 4th inning Austin Meadows hit a double to left field. Following a Josh Bell walk and an infield hit by Josh Harrison, Moran stepped to the plate with the bases loaded.

For the second time this season Moran would launch a grand slam. His 8th home run of the season emptied the bases and gave the Pirates a 6-3 lead.

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After getting two quick outs in the bottom of the 4th inning, the wheels fell off the cart for Taillon. He allowed a solo home run to Renfroe and then a hard hit single up the middle that brought his day to an end.

In 4 2/3 innings pitched Taillon got knocked around to the tune of four runs on seven hits, three walks, a home run, and he struck out four.

Edgar Santana struck out Freddy Galvis to end the bottom of the 5th inning. Diaz then sent a solo home run soaring into the San Diego sky. This home run made the score 7-4 Pirates and ended the day of San Diego starter Tyson Ross.

In 5+ innings of work Ross allowed seven runs on seven hits, he walked three, surrendered three home runs, and did not record a strikeout.

As it has done far too many times this season, the Pirate bullpen would struggle to get through the bottom of the 6th inning.

Richard Rodriguez started the inning, but after issuing a walk and allowing a pair of singles that cut the Pirate lead to 7-5 he was lifted for Steven Brault. Brault would walk Eric Hosmer and get Renfroe to pop out to shallow right field before he was also removed from the game.

Clint Hurdle then made one of the best bullpen decisions he has all season. Instead of sticking to designated bullpen roles, Hurdle went to one of his two best relievers in the game’s highest leverage situation. With the bases loaded, two outs, and the Bucs clinging to a two run lead Crick struck out Christian Villanueva to keep the score 7-5 Pirates.

Leading off the inning Meadows reached on a Carlos Asuaje error. Following the error Bell singled to put runners on the corners with no one out. While the Pirates appeared to be on their way to adding to their lead, this would not happen.

Harrison popped out, Moran reached on a fielder’s choice that erased Meadows as he tried to score, and Dickerson struck out to end the inning.

Crick remained in the game to pitch the bottom of the 7th inning for the Pirates. Despite issuing a pair of walks, he would work around it to post a zero sending the game to the 8th inning with the Bucs leading 7-5.

Tyler Glasnow fired a 1-2-3 8th inning for the Pirates. Fleipe Vazquez then fired one of his own in the 9th inning to close out the 7-5 Pirate victory.

Next: David Freese Should Not Start vs LHP

Next up for the Pirates is a three-game series at Dodgers Stadium which begins at 10:10 p.m. on Monday night. The scheduled pitching matchup for game one is Nick Kingham and lefty Alex Wood.