It’s been 21 years, 11 months and 10 days since the Pirates were three outs away from popping the champagne in Atlanta. This time, the outcome was different as the Bucs punched their ticket to the postseason with a 3-2 victory over the Braves on Tuesday night.
The Pirates (86-71) did it the hard way for the 41st time coming back from an early 2-0 defecit after the Braves scored once in the first and second innings off of Gerrit Cole. Freddie Freeman doubled home Phil Gosselin and Andrelton Simmons grounded into a double play with the bases loaded to score the second run.
From there, Cole shut the Braves (76-81) down down to the tune of 17 retired in-a-row before being relieved after seven innings while striking out eight.
The Pirates answered with a run in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to take the lead off of Braves starter Alex Wood. Andrew McCutchen scored the first run when Starling Marte stole second base causing an errant throw. Travis Snider tied the game with a lead-off solo home run to right and Starling Marte — the hero in last year’s playoff clincher — hit a go-ahead RBI double.
Jared Hughes and Tony Watson (Save #2) each worked a scoreless inning to close things out.
Final Score: Pirates 3, Braves 2.
The win comes exactly one year after clinching its first playoff appearance in 20 years and eliminates the Brewers from playoff contention and assures the Pirates of, at least, a Wild Card game.
Starters Lines
Cole (W, 11-5): 7 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 K’s. 111 Pitches (72 Strikes).
Wood (L, 11-11): 6 2/3 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K’s, 1 HR. 109 Pitches (71 Strikes).
The Pirates still have a shot at the division or a home Wild Card game.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
