Holderman’s Struggles Continue as Pirates Squander Rubber Match vs. Diamondbacks

PITTSBURGH – Colin Holderman took his third-straight loss after blowing a seventh-inning lead as the Pittsburgh Pirates fell 6-5 to the Arizona Diamondbacks at PNC Park on Sunday afternoon.

Recap

With the Pirates ahead 4-2 in the top of the seventh inning, Holderman (3-4) issued a pair of walks to bring up Joc Pederson, representing the potential go-ahead run. Pederson capitalized by whacking a three-run opposite-field homer over the left field fence to put Arizona up by a run.

Ketel Marte tacked on an insurance run with a solo homer in the top of the ninth off of Jake Woodford.

Bryan Reynolds brought the Pirates within a run in the bottom of the ninth with an RBI single to right field but A.J. Puk prevented any further damage.

With the loss, the Pirates (56-55) squandered a potential series win and a chance to gain ground on the Diamondbacks (60-52) in the wild card race. 

Though he wasn’t as sharp as he’s been for much of his career, Paul Skenes allowed two runs across 5.1 innings pitched. The rookie right-hander allowed five hits, matched a season-high three walks and struck out four. 

In his second game with the Pirates, Isiah Kiner Falefa went 2 for 5 with a double, triple, two RBIs and a run. 

He led off the bottom of the first with a double to left for his first hit with the Pirates. Bryan De La Cruz drove him in with a two-out single to left field to put the Pirates ahead 1-0.

In the second inning, Kiner-Falefa drove in two more with a triple off the Clemente Wall in right field. His three-bagger came after Yasmani Grandal roped an RBI double to right field. 

Skenes didn’t allow a run through the first five innings but the Diamondbacks struck for two in the sixth. Corbin Carroll began the sixth with a triple and scored on a Marte groundout to second base. After a base hit and a walk, Derek Shelton went to Hunter Stratton out of the bullpen.

Stratton allowed an RBI single to Jake McCarthy but kept the Pirates’ lead intact by retiring the next two batters. 

Key Moment

The Pirates had left-hander Jalen Beeks warming in the bullpen but manager Derek Shelton stayed with Holderman to face Pederson in the seventh. Beeks pitched the eighth inning. 

Star of the Game

Joc Pederson’s home run was the difference. He finished the game 2 for 5 with a homer, three RBIs and two runs scored.

Stat to Know

Holderman has been charged with 10 earned runs across 12 appearances since the start of July (7.94 ERA). From the start of his season through the end of June, Holderman had been charged with four earned runs in 31 appearances (1.21 ERA).

Noteworthy

• Skenes has issued six walks over his last two games. He had only walked 13 batters over his first 12 starts to begin his career.
• Andrew McCutchen pinch hit for Jared Triolo in the ninth, drew a walk and scored a run. He left Saturday’s game with left quad tightness.
• Grandal had his first three-hit game since last year on June 14.

Up Next for Pirates

The Pirates have an off day on Monday before the San Diego Padres come to Pittsburgh for a three-game series starting on Tuesday night. Bailey Falter (5-7, 3.95 ERA) will start for the Pirates. The Padres’ starter is TBA. First pitch: 6:40 ET