In a game that was expected to be a battle between two high-powered offenses and two high-caliber pitchers, the Pittsburgh Pirates completed the three-game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks with a 8-3 win in the series finale at PNC Park this afternoon.
In the top of the first inning, the Diamondbacks got the scoring started early; however, it wasn’t without a little help from the Pirates defense.
On the second pitch of the ball game from Gerrit Cole, Jean Segura hit a foul pop up near the visiting dugout. David Freese and Francisco Cervelli collided as they both went for the ball and an error was charged to Freese.
Later in the at-bat, Segura lined a double to center field for the first hit of the ball game. Michael Bourn followed that up with another double that plated Segura for the early 1-0 lead. However, Cole remained composed and escaped the inning without further damage, throwing 25 pitches in the opening frame.
In the bottom of the second inning, the Pirates got the offense they needed from an unlikely source. With men on first and second, Cole belted a 0-1 pitch from Patrick Corbin into the bullpen for three-run home run that gave the Pirates a 3-1 lead.
With a 3-1 lead in the top of the sixth, the Pirates turned to AJ Schugel and the Pirates bullpen. After getting two outs to lead off the inning, Schugel allowed two singles to Corbin and Segura, and a walk to Bourn to load the bases. Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt then tied the game at three with a two-run single into center field.
The Pirates wasted little time answering back, regaining the lead, 5-3, on a full count, two-run pinch hit double by second baseman Josh Harrison in the bottom of the sixth.
In the bottom of the eighth, the Pirates potent offense received some much needed insurance runs, all scored with two outs.
With the bases loaded, Jung Ho Kang came up with a two-run single that pushed the Pirates lead to 7-3. Starling Marte followed up Kang with an RBI double that plated the eighth and final run for the Bucs.
Those were all the runs they would need as the Pirates pushed their winning streak to four games and have now won nine of their last 11 games.
The Pirates also finish off their 10-game homestand with a 8-2 record against the Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies and Diamondbacks.
Cole helps himself on the mound and at the plate
The second-inning home run from Cole was his first of the season and second of his major league career. Cole, who also doubled in the contest for the first time in his career, left the game after five innings and 105 pitches – 69 for strikes – in his shortest outing since May 2.
Despite the high pitch count, Cole looked effective, getting out of some early jams and challenging hitters when he needed to. In five innings of work, Cole, who received a no decision in the contest, allowed one unearned run on seven hits while walking three and striking out five
In his last four starts, Cole is 3-0 and has only allowed three earned runs, while giving up six walks and striking out 19 in 26 innings of work.
Big game for Kang
Aside from Cole, Jung Ho Kang was the only Pirates player to have multiple hits in the ballgame, going 3 for 5 with two RBIs.
With his three-hit performance, Kang raised his batting average this season to .298 and now has 14 RBIs to go with his five home runs.
Shortage in Bullpen
With Ryan Vogelsong and Arquimedes Caminero on the disabled list, Tony Watson on the Paternity list and Jared Hughes unavailable, the Pirates turned to the other arms in the pen to get the job done including Schugel, Kyle Lobstein, and Rob Scahill, three players recently recalled from AAA Indianapolis.
This trio, along with Neftali Feliz and Mark Melancon, pitched four innings, giving up two runs on six hits, while walking two and striking out two.
Schugel picked up his first major league win for his efforts, while Corbin picked up his fourth loss of the season for the Diamondbacks.
Up Next
The Pirates begin a three-game set against the Texas Rangers tomorrow night at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Jon Niese (4-2, 4.75 ERA) faces Cole Hamels (5-0, 2.83 ERA). Niese is 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA in two career starts against the Rangers and is 1-0 with a 3.18 ERA in one career start in Arlington.
Photo credit: @Pirates
