Stallings' RBI In 9th Sends Pirates To 3-2 Win Over Phillies
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jacob Stallings drove in the winning run with a fielder's choice in the bottom of the ninth inning, giving the Pittsburgh Pirates a 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday night.
With the scored tied 2-all, Bryan Reynolds led off the ninth with a double into the gap in left-center off Jose Alvarado (6-1). Reynolds moved to third on Gregory Polanco's slow rolling groundout, and John Nogowski followed with a walk, loading the bases.
Stallings hit a chopper toward third baseman Alec Bohm, whose throw home was too late to get Reynolds. It was the seventh game-ending RBI of Stallings' career, and his fourth this season.
Chris Stratton (4-0) worked around two two-out singles in the ninth to get the win.
Philadelphia's Brad Miller and Pittsburgh's Ben Gamel each had two hits.
The Pirates have won the first two games of the series after losing four in a row. The Phillies have dropped four of their last five.
Both starters had strong six-inning outings.
The Pirates' JT Brubaker allowed one run and three hits with four strikeouts and two walks. However, he remained winless in nine starts since May 29.
The Phillies' Aaron Nola gave up two runs, three hits and a walk while striking out five. That came after throwing a season-high 116 pitches in 8 2/3 innings to beat Atlanta in his previous start.
The Phillies tied the score at 2-2 in the eighth inning when J.T. Realmuto led off with a double and came home on Bryce Harper's single.
The Pirates broke a scoreless tie in the third when Rodolfo Castro led off with a single and scored on Kevin Newman's triple that one-hopped off the fence in right-center field. One out later, Gamel singled home Newman.
The Phillies got one run back in the fifth on a sacrifice fly by Nola.
PHILS REMAKE ROTATION
The Phillies are overhauling their rotation.
Kyle Gibson will make his Phillies' debut Sunday when he starts the finale of the three-game series. Philadelphia acquired the right-hander from Texas in a trade Friday.
Meanwhile, right-handers Ranger Suarez and Chase Anderson are moving from the bullpen into starting roles. Righty Vince Velasquez and left-hander Matt Moore will now be used as relievers.
Anderson began the season in the rotation, but was moved to the bullpen after going 2-4 with a 6.96 ERA in eight games. He has a 6.17 ERA in five relief appearances.
Suarez recently moved into the closer's role and has a 1.12 ERA in 27 relief appearances.
Velasquez gave up five runs in two innings in losing to the Pirates on Friday, and is 0-4 with a 12.00 ERA in his last five starts. Moore is 0-3 with a 6.98 ERA in nine starts.
CLOSING TIME
Ian Kennedy is the Phillies' new closer, replacing Suarez. Kennedy was also part of Friday's trade and converted 16 of 17 save chances for the Rangers this season.
The Pirates plan to use multiple relievers in save situations following the trade of closer Richard Rodriguez to Atlanta on Friday. Rodriguez was 14 of 17 in save opportunities.
ROSTER MOVES
Pirates: Added right-hander Bryce Wilson and infielder/outfielder Hoy Jun Park to the active roster and optioned outfielder Jared Oliva to Triple-A Indianapolis.
Wilson was acquired in the Rodriguez deal. The Pirates traded with the New York Yankees for Park on Monday,
TRAINER'S ROOM
Phillies: 1B Rhys Hoskins (groin) sat out his second straight game and is not expected to return until at least Monday. … LHP Bailey Falter is ready to be activated from the COVID-19 injured list but will go on a minor league rehab assignment before activated.
Pirates: INF/OF Erik Gonzalez (right oblique strain) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday.
UP NEXT
Gibson (6-3, 2.87 ERA) was selected to his first All-Star Game this year, but lost his last three starts with the Rangers, allowing 16 runs in 17 1/3 innings. The Pirates have not decided on a starter.
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