Gameday 104: Pirates look to rebound after blowing late lead

Marco Gonzales will pitch for the Pirates

Photo Credit: WTM

The Pittsburgh Pirates jumped out to an early 3-0 lead but couldn’t hold it, eventually losing to the Arizona Diamondback 4-3.

Luis Ortiz pitched solidly through his first five innings but struggled in the sixth. He finished the night allowing three earned runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four in five-plus innings.

Carmen Mlodzinski ended up getting the loss, allowing hits to the first two batters he faced and then a wild pitch that scored the go-ahead run.

Joshua Palacios drove in Andrew McCutchen and Nick Gonzales in the first to open up the scoring. McCutchen drove in Joey Bart on an RBI double in the second, which ended up being the last run they scored on the night.

Marco Gonzales will get the start for the Pirates as they look to even up the series. The Diamondbacks will send Brandon Pfaadt to the mound as they look to create more separation from the Pirates in the Wildcard race.

Pirates Lineup

DH - Andrew McCutchen

SS - Oneil Cruz

2B - Nick Gonzales

1B - Connor Joe

LF - Joshua Palacios

3B - Ke’Bryan Hayes

C - Joey Bart

RF - Ji Hwan Bae

CF - Michael A. Taylor

Diamondbacks Lineup

2B - Ketel Marte

C - Gabriel Moreno

LF - Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

1B - Christian Walker

DH - Randal Grichuk

CF - Jake McCarthy

3B - Eugenio Suarez

RF - Corbin Carroll

SS - Geraldo Perdomo

Pitching Matchup

PIT - Marco Gonzales (1-1, 2.70 ERA, 26.2 IP, 6 BB, 19 K)

ARI - Brandon Pfaadt (4-6, 3.74 ERA, 120.1 IP, 27 BB, 111 K)

Yesterday’s Feature

Axiel Plaz was promoted to Bradenton due to mounting injuries at the catcher position, but he slugged his way into keeping that spot. I looked at what he’s done so well and what the next step in his development could be here.

Axiel Plaz slugged his way into roster spot with Bradenton

---

Support the site by becoming a paid member, and get access to all of our premium content, including our Top 25 list with complete player write-ups and video breakdowns, which come out weekly.

It will also give access to my player feature articles from on-site trips.

Bucs on Deck Top 25: Midseason updated list

We have monthly and yearly plans available, with the latter costing an average of $4.16/month.