PITTSBURGH, PA – The Pittsburgh Pirates (57-64) finally ended their long 10-game losing streak with a 5-3 win over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night.
Paul Skenes wasn’t at his best, but he still managed to last six innings and allowed just two runs, which came on a two-run shot by Luke Raley in the fourth inning, his 15th home run of the season. Skenes threw the 3-1 fastball right into the pipe, which was turned into a 112.4 mph fastball off the bat.
The Pirates took a while to get going on offense, taking out the first seven batters with ease, the first four of them by strikes. Yasmani Grandal got the first hit of the night and then tied the game with a solo home run in the fifth inning.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa got the Bucs on the scoreboard in the previous inning with an RBI double down the left field line. Michael A. Taylor continued the charge in the fifth inning with a single through the left side of the infield, followed by a steal of second base and an advance to third base on a throwing error by catcher Cal Raleigh. Andrew McCutchen scored the winning run with a sacrifice fly to left.
The Pirates extended their lead in the seventh inning on a laser shot to right-center by Oneil Cruz, as two runners scored on a failed Dominic Canzone jump attempt in right. Those two extra runs proved crucial, as closer David Bednar allowed a solo home run to Jorge Polanco in the ninth inning. He allowed one more hit in the inning, but clinched the win and earned his 21st save of the season.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
1. DH Andrew McCutchen 1-3, RBI
2. LF Bryan Reynolds 0-3, BB
3. SS O’Neil Cruz 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI
4. 2B Isiah Kiner-Falefa 2-4, 2B, RBI
5. 1B Rowdy Tellez 0-4
6. RF Bryan De La Cruz 1-4
7. 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes 0-4
8. C Yasmani Grandal 2-4, HR
9. CF Michael A. Taylor 1-2, BB
SEATTLE MARINERS
1. Midfielder Victor Robles 0-4
2. LF Randy Arozarena 0-3
3. C Cal Raleigh 0-4
4. DH Julio Rodriguez 2-4, 2B
5. 2B Jorge Polanco 1-3, home run
6. 1B Luke Raley 2-3, home run, 2 RBI
7. RF Dominic Canzone 0-3, BB
8. 3B Josh Rojas 0-3
9. SS Leo Rivas 0-2
The second game of the series between the Pirates and Mariners is scheduled for tomorrow at 1:05 p.m. EST.
Tomorrow’s likely starters: Luis Castillo (10-11, 3.40 ERA) vs. Bailey Falter (5-7, 4.07 ERA).
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