From last place to second in one night. The Pirates won one game and passed three other teams in the National League Central standings. Joe Block has the recap of a late win for the Bucs.
The Pirates lead the Cardinals, Reds, and Cubs by a half-game for second place in the NL Central, six-and-a-half games behind Milwaukee, and are tied with the Giants for the third and final Wild Card playoff slot.
The challenge by the Cardinals in the 9th was whether or not Yasmani Grandal had committed catcher’s interference. After the initial call was reversed by replay, the Bucs came back onto the field and Bednar closed it with the strikeout of Michael Siani. Colin Holderman got the win.
Manager Derek Shelton says Paul Skenes, as always, was outstanding.
It was the first time Skenes has pitched into the 7th inning for the Pirates and his first time throwing more than a hundred pitches. He threw 103.
Skenes got some early ground ball outs, helping him keep his pitch count low, and he says that let him pitch into the 7th.
As good as Skenes was, Miles Mikolas was even better for the Cardinals. He didn’t allow a baserunner until the 6th, didn’t give up a hit until Bryan Reynolds led off the 7th with a triple, and struck out 6. Connor Joe, who was beaned on the helmet in the 7th inning, says Mikolas was tough.
Game two of the series is tonight. Left-hander Bailey Falter [3-3, 3.69 ERA] faces Cards’ righty Sonny Gray [7-4, 3.21 ERA]. Airtime is 7:20, first pitch at 7:45 on WCCS.
Before the game, the Pirates recalled right-hander Ryder Ryan from Indianapolis, designated left-hander Jose Hernandez for assignment, and claimed right-hander Dennis Santana off waivers from the Yankees. It’s Ryan’s fourth stint with the Bucs this year.
The DFA of Hernandez is a surprise, as he’s been effective out of the bullpen with the Pirates this year (1-1, 3.38 ERA in seven games).
Santana was DFA’s by the Yankees on Sunday after appearing in 23 games this season, with a 2-0 record and a 6.26 ERA. He’s also pitched for the Dodgers, Rangers, and Mets.
ALTOONA CURVE
Altoona was clobbered by Erie, 11-2 as Thomas Harrington gave up six runs, only one earned, over five innings. He gave up ten hits, including a home run, and struck out five. First baseman Seth Beer hit his fourth home run of the year for the Curve, who will send Po Yu Chen to the mound for game two of the series tonight.
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