Pittsburgh Pirates: Liover Peguero, Endy Rodriguez Lead Young Bucs to a 7-6 Victory Over the Phillies

Liover Peguero and Endy Rodriguez led the way for the Young Bucs as David Bednar got the final five outs of the game in a 7-6 victory for the Pittsburgh Pirates

Led by a bunch of rookies, which is exactly what you want to see right now, the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 7-6 on Saturday night. The Pirates are now 46-58 on the season and have a chance for the second consecutive series victory on Sunday.

The Young Bucs came up big in the victory. For the first time since RBI became an official stat in 1920 that the Pirates scored at least 7 runs in a game with each of them being driven in by a rookie. Let the youth movement continue.

Big game for Liover Peguero

The Pirates got on the board in the 3rd inning when Liover Peguero hit a solo home run. The 2nd home run of the season and Peguero's career gave the Pirates a 1-0 lead. It was also the start of a big night for Peguero.

Peguero singled in a run in the 4th inning and also had a base hit in the 5th inning. The 22-year-old finished the game 3-for-4.

4-run 5th inning puts the Pirates back in front

Entering the bottom of the 5th inning the Pirates were trailing 4-3. Bryan Reynolds hit a blooper down the left field foul line that landed in fair territory to start the bottom of the 5th. This bloop hit led to the floodgates opening for the Pirates.

Andrew McCutchen walked and Henry Davis reached on a defensive miscue by Bryce Harper to load the bases with just one out. Endy Rodriguez then hit a single into shallow center field that dropped in front of Brandon Marsh and skipped past him. This led to Rodriguez's 1st career triple and made the score 6-4 Pirates.

With two outs in the inning, Alika Williams lined a single to center field. The first career hit for Williams scored Rodriguez and extended the Pirate lead to 7-4. It was not just a big 5th inning for the Pirate offense, it was one fueled by the Young Bucs.

Quinn Priester struggles again

2019 first-round pick Quinn Priester made his third MLB start on Saturday night. After pitching 3 scoreless innings to start the night, Priester allowed 4 runs in the 4th inning. His night then ended when he loaded the bases with no one out in the 6th inning.

Priester was lifted for Ryan Borucki who got a force out and a strikeout before walking in a run that was charged to Priester. All told, Priester allowed 5 runs on five hits, six walks, and a career high seven strikeouts in 5+ innings pitched. Priester hit a batter, threw just 46 of 85 pitches for a strike, and generated 14 swings-and-misses.

Through his first three MLB starts Priester owns a 9.19 ERA and a 7.24 FIP in 15.2 innings pitched. He has allowed 16 hits, 4 home runs, walked 11 batters, and struck out 13. There were plenty of questions and concerns surrounding Priester prior to his MLB debut and, thus far, those questions have only increased.

David Bednar picks up 5 out save

Yerry De Los Santos took the mound in the 8th inning with the Pirates leading 7-5. After allowing a hit and issuing a walk, De Los Santos was pulled for David Bednar. On his bobblehead night, Bednar was looking to get the final five outs of the game.

Bednar allowed one of the inherited runners to score in the 8th inning but cleaned it up by striking out Kyle Schwarber to end the inning. Bednar was in a tough spot again in the 9th inning. With runners on the corners and just one out Bednar fell behind JT Realmuto 3-0. However, Bednar battled back to get Realmuto to hit into a game-ending 5-4-3 double play.

There was no better way for this game to end than Bednar slamming the door shut. Having a true yinzer get the final five outs of the game, while pitching out of two jams, on his bobblehead night as part of Yinzerpalooza weekend. Bednar even threw a "love yinz guys" into his postgame interview on the field.

Next up

As of now veteran lefty Rich Hill (4.82 ERA, 4.41 FIP) is slated to start for the Pirates on Sunday. However, with the trade deadline less than 72 hours away that is no guarantee. Cristopher Sánchez (2.98 ERA, 4.06 FIP) will start for the Phillies. First pitch from PNC Park is scheduled for 1:35 PM ET.