Making his second appearance since a trip to the disabled list for a tired shoulder, starter Jameson Taillon struck out seven batters in six innings but was also hittable at times. Since PNC Park opened in 2001, they are 16-31 at the home of their in-state rival. Sean Rodriguez then drove in Joyce with a double to center.
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“That’s just a matter of finishing at-bats”, Velasquez said. During his home debut, he hit two batters before leaving in the fourth inning with shoulder discomfort. You’ve got to finish the at-bat. Starling Marte and Jordy Mercer also drove in runs.
The 407-foot pinch-hit homer was not only his first bopper in the majors since being called up June 24, it also was his first at any level since September 5, when he was with Double-A Altoona. “Knowing that that was my last inning, that’s where you have to bear down and give it all you’ve got”. In the third, Velasquez singled off his mound opponent, Jameson Taillon, and Cesar Hernandez drove him in with a triple off the wall in center field.
The closest the Pirates appeared to come to scoring was when Herrera made a leaping grab at the wall in center on a ball Jung Ho Kang hit in the fifth.
“Nicasio came in and did exactly what we needed him to”, second baseman Josh Harrison said.
The game was delayed for one hour and 32 minutes in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Taillon only had 84 pitches through six innings, but with a 4-4 game at the time, Clint Hurdle want to Neftali Feliz, who got in trouble with a walk and a hit in the seventh. Carlos Ruiz replaced Rupp after he left Saturday’s game and will catch for the Phillies on Sunday. Catcher Cameron Rupp did not play as a precaution after being hit in the head with a pitch Saturday.
“It’s a game we should have won but I put us in position to lose it”, Velasquez said. He went 1 for 2 at the plate. The Phillies reported that Rupp had “no ill effects” from the incident. Stumpf, who must be offered back to the Royals after being their Rule V draft choice this past offseason, served an 80-game suspension this season for violating Major League Baseball’s policy against performance-enhancing drugs. Phillies 3B Maikel Franco (left wrist) missed his second straight start, but he entered and went 1-for-2. In his last seven starts, he’s walked just seven batters and has a 0.98 WHIP while lowering his ERA by half a run.
The under is 7-1 in Philadelphia’s last 8 overall and is 7-1 in their last 8 on grass while the Phillies are 6-2 in their last 8 road games. Pittsburgh placed RHP Tyler Glasnow on the 15-day DL, a day after he left his second major league start in the fourth inning because of right shoulder discomfort.
Pirates: Francisco Liriano (6-9, 4.96 ERA) will begin a two-game series against the Seattle Mariners after an off day Monday.
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The Pirates will take home runs any way they get them in the wild card race, but this one had special meaning as all five runs were driven in by players not in the opening day starting lineup.
