The Pirates were oh-so-close to a doubleheader sweep of Cleveland on Saturday, but relievers Gregory Soto and Dennis Santana, the two biggest disappointments in a woeful bullpen this season, failed again to close the nightcap.
Greg Brown reports.
Khristian Curtis was recalled from Indianapolis to pitch in the second game. He was outstanding, throwing five shutout innings, striking out four and giving up two hits and two walks. Curtis started the season with Altoona and was promoted to Indianapolis on June 7th. To make room for him on the roster, outfielder Oneil Cruz was transferred to the 60-day injured list. Cruz will not eb eleigible to return to action until August 8th.
Brandon Eisert was charged with three runs after he gave up three hits in two-thirds of an inning and being relieved by Soto, who threw two wild pitches and gave up the game-tying hit. Santana was charged with giving up the two winning runs in the ninth on the walk-off home run.
The series concludes today at Progressive Field in Cleveland with Paul Skenes (8-8, 3.57 ERA) facing the Guardians’ Joey Cantillo (8-4, 3.56 ERA). It’s a 1:40 first pitch, with coverage on WCCS beginning with Pirates Insider at 12:40.
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