Pirates trip over themselves, drop series finale to Diamondbacks

Just when you think the Pirates will pull it off, the rug gets pulled out from under you.

After Bryse Wilson limited the Arizona Diamondbacks to just two hits through five innings, the Pirates were unable to complete the three-game series sweep as they fell, 5-2, Wednesday night.

Both teams were held in check through the first three-and-a-half innings, but the Pirates would strike first in the bottom of the fourth as Ke’Bryan Hayes doubled with one out and would later score on a sacrifice fly by Jacob Stallings. Michael Chavis would add an insurance run in the fifth with an RBI single.

Then, as if someone had flipped a switch, the Diamondbacks came alive in the sixth. After Derek Shelton brought in Nick Mears, Pavin Smith would get the Snakes on the board with a one-out solo home run — his tenth of the season. Mears would then walk Christian Walker in the next at-bat.

Anthony Banda would relieve Mears following the walk and immediately forced Josh VanMeter to pop out to Stallings, but an error by Gregory Polanco allowed the tying run to score in the next at-bat.

The tie would hold steady until the seventh inning after Carson Kelly hit a pinch-hit solo home run off Banda. Arizona added two more in the eighth off Kyle Keller following a double to left by Peralta.

After Anthony Alford singled to lead off the ninth, Colin Moran and Ben Gamel flew out and Hayes struck out to end the game and seal another disappointing loss for the Pirates.

The Pirates, now 46-81, continue their home-stand tomorrow night as they welcome the St. Louis Cardinals (64-61). First pitch is 7:05 p.m.