Thursday, the Pittsburgh Pirates (57-55) got what they desperately needed: a series win. The team beat the San Diego Padres 4-0 in an afternoon game to put Pittsburgh two games above .500. The Pirates started off the series with a 4-6 win Tuesday night before falling short in a 4-0 loss Wednesday night.
Jameson Taillon (3-2, 2.85 ERA, 1.08 WHIP) threw out the first pitch for the Pirates, with shortstop Jordy Mercer and second baseman Josh Harrison both recording quick outs to get the Pirates up to bat. At the bottom of the first, the Pirates scored first when David Freese hit a single to right, scoring Harrison.
Pittsburgh’s next run came in the bottom of the third inning. Again, it was Freese who scored a Pirates player, this time Starling Marte, with a double to the right. Freese then crossed home plate after Gregory Polanco singled to right.
The Pirates made it 4-0 shortly after that. To start the fourth inning, Sean Rodriguez reached first base on an infield single to third base. Harrison then singled to center, and Rodriguez scored.
Taillon (three hits, two walks, four strikeouts) pitched the eighth inning before reliever Neftali Feliz came in to pitch the ninth. Feliz gave up a single to the Padres’ first batter and walked another. Manager Clint Hurdle then decided to pull Feliz, and Hurdle called on closer Tony Watson. When he came in, he struck out Jabari Blash to give Pittsburgh the ‘W.’
Freese led the team in RBIs (2), while Harrison and Polanco each had an RBI. Freese’s RBI total on the season was raised to 45, while Polanco’s was raised to 60, and Harrison’s to 44.
Up Next:
The Pirates will fly out to Los Angeles for a three-game series against the Dodgers, which starts on Friday. Ivan Nova will be the starting pitcher for the Pirates, while Ross Stripling will pitch for the Dodgers. First pitch is scheduled for 10:10 p.m. EDT.
Image credit: Dave Arrigo/Pittsburgh Pirates
