The Pirates (18-25) continued to make mistakes, but this time they made up for them as they came back twice to defeat the Yankees (23-20) 5-3 to salvage a game and avoid the sweep.
Gerrit Cole put together another quality start by going six strong innings while allowing three runs and striking out eight. Two of the runs coming in an inning full of Errors.
With the Pirates leading 1-0 after two Yankee mistakes allowed Starling Marte to reach first and second safely before scoring on a Chris Stewart RBI single, the Bucs decided to return the favor and boot the ball around themselves.
With two outs and a runner on first, John Ryan Murphy singled to right, Travis Snider misplayed the ball allowing it to roll under his glove allowing the run to score and Murphy to advance to third. Brendan Ryan then came up and placed a perfect bunt down the third base line allowing Murphy to score. Cole tried making an off-balanced throw to first, but the ball sailed over Gaby Sanchez’s head for another error.
The Pirates made another costly error in the fifth when Josh Harrison doubled off the left field wall with two out and Snider on first. Harrison however, overran second and got into a rundown. Snider didn’t break for the plate quick enough and Harrison was tagged out to end the inning with no runs.
The Pirates would redeem themselves from that point on as Starling Marte — who went 0-4 with four strikeouts in the first game of the doubleheader — hit a two-run home run to give the Pirates the lead,
After Cole allowed a game-tying Yangervis Solarte solo shot the next inning, Josh Harrison redeemed his baserunning gaffe with a solo shot for himself to give the Bucs the lead back for good.
Harrison wasn’t done though, as he made a diving catch with a runner on first in the eighth to deny extra bases and a possible game-tying RBI from Solarte.
From there, it was smooth sailing as the Bucco bullpen shut things down to end their three-game losing streak.
Final Score: Pirates 5, Yankees 3
Starling Marte and Jose Tabata both left the second game with hamstring issues. Stay tuned to PSN for updates on their conditions.
Starters Lines
Cole: (W, 4-3): 6 IN, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 9 K, 1 HR. 99 Pitches (66 strikes).
Nuno (ND): 6 IN, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K’s, 1 HR. 81 Pitches (53 Strikes).
The Pirates will have an off day tomorrow before a two-game 1979 reunion series with the Baltimore Orioles starting Tuesday night.
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(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
