The Phillies foiled the Pirates' hopes of a five-game winning streak, defeating them 4-3 on Tuesday.
The Phillies got a run in the first on a Maikel Franco double (actually a popup that Neil Walker lost in the lights) and a Chase Utley single, but the Pirates answered in the second when Gregory Polanco walked and then raced all the way around from first on Jordy Mercer's double. In the bottom of the inning, Freddy Galvis -- and get ready for lots of the ordinarily light-hitting Galvis tonight -- doubled and then came home when pitcher David Buchanan singled up the middle.
The Pirates took a 3-2 lead in the top of the third when Starling Marte and Walker walked, and both came home on Russell Martin's double. But Edinson Volquez gave up a solo homer to Galvis in the third to tie the game. Then Galvis hit an infield single in the seventh, stole second, and came home on Franco's ground-ball single.
The Phillies' bullpen, which is surprisingly vital compared to the rest of the team, then held the Pirates in check in the late innings. Polanco singled to lead off the ninth, and Clint Hurdle bunted him over, which is a decision that's already getting second-guessed. It's appropriate to play for one run in that situation, though, and the move ensured that there wouldn't be a double play that would end the game with Josh Harrison standing in the on-deck circle. Jonathan Papelbon ended up whiffing Harrison to end it anyway.