Pittsburgh Pirates: JT Brubaker Bounces Back in Victory Over Arizona

When the Pittsburgh Pirates play teams that are worse than them it’s fun, folks!

The Pittsburgh Pirates are not a good baseball team. That is not breaking news or anywhere near it. That said, the Pirates are not even the worst team in the National League, let alone Major League Baseball.

The worst team in the National League is the Arizona Diamondbacks. Following a 6-5 come from behind victory for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night, Tuesday night they locked up the series victory with a 4-2 win against the Diamondbacks.

Over the course of the last week the Pittsburgh Pirates have played some strong baseball. After capturing a series victory over the St. Louis Cardinals and taking the first two of his series, the Pirates have won 4 of their last 5 games improving to 46-80 on the season.

Bounce back start from JT Brubaker

Entering Tuesday night’s start JT Brubaker was riding a woeful 12 start stretch. In his previous 12 starts Brubaker had posted a 7.08 ERA, 6.06 FIP and he had allowed 18 home runs in 61 innings pitched.

In dire need of a bounce back start Brubaker turned in just that. This including dodging a massive bullet in the 3rd inning. Josh Rojas doubled and moved to third base on a wild pitch. While the Diamondbacks appeared primed to take the lead, Brubaker put a foot down.

Brubaker recorded back-to-back strikeouts before issuing a walk to Carson Kelly. Brubaker then recorded his third strikeout of the inning to escape the jam unscathed. He also worked out of a jam in the 5th inning when he got a fly out to end the inning with a pair of runners on base.

Overall Brubaker pitched 5 scoreless innings, allowing just 4 hits, walking 3 and striking out 6. For the first time in the last few months Brubaker looked strong and confident on the mound. His stuff also looked the best in has in weeks as he generated 15 swings-and-misses in the start. It was great to see the early season form of Brubaker once again on Tuesday night.

Two long balls fuel the Pirate offense

Leading off the 3rd inning Michael Chavis blasted a solo home run into the left field seats. The 429 foot blast, and first as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates by Chavis, gave the Bucs a 1-0 lead.

The Chavis home run was followed by a Ke’Bryan Hayes triple. Bryan Reynolds then hit a sacrifice fly to score Hayes, making the score 2-0 Pirates.

In the bottom of the 4th inning the Pirates added two more runs. Both of these runs came on a 2-run blast to left field that was hit by Anthony Alford. Alford’s 1st home run of the season made the score 4-0 Pirates.

Chris Stratton slams the door shut

After Brubaker pitched 5 scoreless innings Duane Underwood Jr. was summoned from the bullpen. The versatile righty continue his sneaky strong season by allowing just a single and recording a strikeout in 2 scoreless innings of work.

After Chasen Shreve allowed a 2-run home run to Ketel Marte in the 8th inning to cut the Pirate lead to 4-2, Chris Stratton was given the ball for the 9th. The veteran righty retired the Diamondbacks in order, slamming the door shut and picking up the save.

What’s next?

Wednesday night the Pittsburgh Pirates will look for the elusive three-game series sweep. While the Pirate starter is currently TBD, it appears that Bryse Wilson (5.55 ERA, 5.29 FIP) will come off the injured list to make the start. The Diamondbacks will send lefty Tyler Gilbert (2.04 ERA, 3.74 FIP) to the mound. First pitch from PNC Park is scheduled for 7:05 PM ET.