Pirates Come From Behind To Take Game And Series From Orioles

by Zane Heiple

Photo by Getty Images

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles wrapped up a three game interleague series this afternoon in Pittsburgh.  While the first two games were one sided affairs for both teams, today’s game was tight all the way through. 

Pittsburgh was able to get to Baltimore starter Zach Britton early, by scoring two runs in the first inning.  After Jose Tabata and Josh Harrison reached base with infield hits, Andrew McCutchen would bring home Tabata with a single to left field.  Neil Walker would then ground into a double play, but Harrison was able to score from third. 

Kevin Correia gave up two runs in both the third and fourth innings, but was able to hang around long enough to pick up his ninth win of the season and second at PNC Park.  He would finish the day allowing nine hits, while striking out five and walking one batter.

The Pirates cut into the lead in the bottom part of the fourth, when Walker would ground out to short allowing Cutch to score from third.  The Buccos then regained the lead in the fifth inning by scoring two more runs.  With runners on second and third, Josh Harrison hit a ball to second baseman Blake Davis for what appeared to be the final out of the inning.  Fortunately for Harrison, Davis brought his glove up too soon on the ground ball and the ball rolled into right field, which allowed both runners to score.

While the Pittsburgh bullpen has had its share of criticism this year, today they were able to take that one run lead and make it last.  Chris Resop and Jose Veras combined for two innings of no hit baseball to pick up their eighth and fourteenth holds on the year respectively.  Joel Hanrahan came in to start the ninth and shut down the O’s 1-2-3 to pick up his twentieth save of the year, in as many chances, to give the Pirates a 5-4 win.

This was a big win for the Pirates as they have put that four game losing skid behind them with two straight wins.  With a day off tomorrow Pittsburgh will need to be at their best come Friday as they begin a three game series at home with the Boston Red Sox, who have the best record in the American League.

Record vs. Orioles:  2-1
Record vs. A.L. East:  2-1
Record at Home:  17-19
Overall Record:  37-37

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!!!