Pirates top Padres 5-1

How about them Buccos, eh?

After starting the season 1-6, the Pittsburgh Pirates have suddenly won four out of five games. In tonight’s game, they defeated the San Diego Padres 5-1. Tyler Anderson was solid in his third start as a Pirate. Over 5.1 innings pitched, he allowed one earned run on four hits. He struck out two and walked one.

In the sixth inning, Duane Underwood Jr. relieved Anderson. Although he couldn’t strand the only earned run that Anderson was charged with, Underwood Jr. looked solid over 1.2 innings of work striking out three batters. Sam Howard and Chris Stratton finished the game with a scoreless inning each. Overall, the pitching staff was better than solid tonight.

Offensively, the Pirates got things started in the second inning when Gregory Polanco took Joe Musgrove deep. Polanco had his best game of the season tonight as the Padres could not get him out. Overall, he went 2-2 with that home run. He also walked twice.

After tossing a no-hitter last Friday night, Musgrove had a decently difficult time facing the Pirates tonight. Although Polanco’s home run was the only run he’d give up, the Pirates made Musgrove work forcing him to pile up 80 pitches over four innings pitched. He gave up four hits and struck out six.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Pirates broke the game open when they scored three runs. With one out in the inning, Polanco got things started with a walk. Dustin Fowler then scorched a ground ball single off of Eric Hosmer’s glove. After that, Michael Perez was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Erik Gonzalez then blooped a single into right to score one. To top things off, Adam Frazier slashed a two-run single to left to give the Pirates a 5-1 lead. They would win by that score. On the night, Frazier was 3-5 with two doubles. In total, the Pirates recorded nine hits.

Tomorrow afternoon, the Pirates will go for the series win as Mitch Keller takes the mound. He will oppose Chris Paddack.

First pitch is scheduled for 12:35 pm.