Pittsburgh Pirates Defeat Philadelphia Phillies 5-4

After their three game winning streak was snapped on Monday night, the Pittsburgh Pirates were looking to start a new streak against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night

After a tough extra innings loss on Monday night, the Pittsburgh Pirates bounced back on Tuesday night with a 5-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. The last six and half weeks have been a struggle for the Pirates, but they have now won three of their last four games which has been fun to watch.

With the win the Pirates are now 12-31 since the All-Star Break. Their overall record now sits at 56-76 on the season.

Facing struggling veteran Drew Smyly, it did not take the Pirate offense long to grab a lead.

Kevin Newman tripled to start the game. This was followed by a 2-run blast to left field off the bat of Bryan Reynolds. The 14th home run of the season by Reynolds gave the Pirates a 2-0 lead.

Steven Brault started for the Pirates and was looking to continue his recent good work. Since joining the rotation permanently in late May, Brault has been the team’s best starting pitcher. While he was not as good as he has been on Tuesday night, he pitched well enough to give his team a chance to win.

Brault allowed a tough break run in the 2nd inning when Adam Haseley hit a two-strike pitch through an open hole on the left side of the infield. In the 3rd inning, the Phillies scored another run to tie the game at 2. This run, however, came after Jean Segura drew a two-out walk. During Segura’s at bat, both ball 3 and ball 4 should have been called strikes.

The Phillies pushed another run across the plate against Brault in the 4th, before Brault posted a zero in the 5th inning. Brault pitched 5 innings on Tuesday night, allowing 3 runs on eight hits, a walk, he hit a batter, and just one strikeout.

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Tuesday night’s performance was not the best form Brault. Nor was it as strong as he has been pitching. However, he pitched well enough to give his team an opportunity to win the game. Ultimately, that’s what you are looking for from a back end of the rotation starting pitcher.

With the Pirates trailing 3-2 in the top of the 6th inning, Colin Moran hit a 2-run home run off of Smyly. The 13th home run of the season from Moran gave the Pirates a 4-3 lead, and ended Smyly’s night. In 5 2/3 innings of work Smyly allowed 4 runs on nine hits, no walks, and four strikeouts.

The tie would not last long as Kyle Crick allowed a two-out pinch hit home run to veteran Logan Morrison in the bottom half of the 6th inning. This home run form Morrison tied the game, and continued Crick’s season long struggles. Crick now owns a 4.75 ERA, 5.73 FIP, and is allowing an alarming 1.71 HR/9 this season.

Keone Kela took the ball in the 7th and allowed a lead off double to J.T. Realmuto. After a fly out, Realmuto was on third base with just one out. To Kela’s credit, he pitched out of the jam he created by inducing a ground out and a pop out. Kela’s strong work sent the game to the 8th inning, still tied at 4.

In the bottom of the 8th inning the Phillies got their second lead off double in as many innings. This one came against Francisco Liriano. After Liriano recorded a pop out and a come backer to the mound, he was lifted for Felipe Vazquez. Vazquez would do his thing and strikeout Scott Kingery to end the inning.

Phillies closer Hector Neris issued back-to-back walks to Adam Frazier and Melky Cabrera with one out in the top of the 9th inning. Newman then hit what appeared to be an inning ending 4-6-3 double play ball. However, an error by Philadelphia first baseman Rhys Hoskins not only cost them the double play, but also allowed Frazier to score. The hustling play by Frazier gave the Pirates a 5-4 lead.

After the Pirates took the lead Vazquez returned to the mound for the bottom of the 9th. Vazquez retired the side in order, which included striking out Bryce Harper with a 101 MPH fastball to end the game.

The third and final game of this series is scheduled for 6:05 on Thursday night. Yes, 6:05. Not 7:05. Mitch Keller (7.24 ERA, 4.02 FIP) will make his seventh career MLB start. Keller is coming off the best start of his career and will look to build upon that. As for the Phillies, they will send righty Vince Velasquez (4.93 ERA, 5.40 FIP) to the mound.