Bubba Chandler Gets First MLB Win for Pirates; Tommy Pham Delivers vs. Former Team
Bubba Chandler earned his first MLB win after throwing four-scoreless innings of relief as the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 2-1 on Wednesday night at Busch Stadium.
How We Got There
Pedro Pagés gave the Cardinals (65-69) a 1-0 lead in the second inning with an RBI single to right. The inning ended when Thomas Saggese was thrown out trying to advance from first to third.
Cardinals starter Sonny Gray held the Pirates (59-75) scoreless until Tommy Pham plated a pair with the bases loaded in the top of the sixth inning.
Dennis Santana converted his 10th save of the season. Chandler (1-0), Isaac Mattson and Santana combined for six-scoreless innings of relief.
Key Moment
It looked like Spencer Horwitz bounced into a potential double play in the sixth, but first baseman Willson Contreras flipped to Sonny Gray at first base. Gray wasn’t expecting the toss and didn’t make the play, loading the bases for the Pirates. They took advantage.
Player of the Game
With four more scoreless innings, Bubba Chandler has begun his big-league career with eight straight shutout frames.
Stat to Know
Bubba Chandler became the first player since Mickey Weston (Baltimore Orioles) in 1989 to get a save and a win in his first two MLB appearances.
Notable Performances
- Carmen Mlodzinski: 3.0 innings, three hits, one run, three walks, four strikeouts, 46 pitches/27 strikes
- Bubba Chandler: 4.0 innings, one hit, no runs, one walk, three strikeouts, 53 pitches/33 strikes
- Tommy Pham: 1 for 4, two RBI
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 2 for 3, one run
Noteworthy
- The Pirates have won seven of their last nine games.
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa is hitting .367 (22 for 60) against the Cardinals in his career, his highest batting average against any team.
- Nick Gonzales (nine games) and Jared Triolo (seven games) saw their hitting streaks come to an end.
Up Next
RHP Braxton Ashcraft (4-2, 2.70 ERA) will get a chance to make another start for the Pirates. RHP Miles Mikolas (6-10, 5.17 ERA) goes for the Cardinals. First pitch: 2:15 p.m. ET.
More about:Pirates