Pirates Blow Lead, Can’t Return the Favor in 4-3 Loss to Athletics
PITTSBURGH—The Pirates blew a 3-0 lead against the Athletics at PNC Park on Friday, Sept. 19, then came 90 feet away from returning the favor in the ninth inning. Instead, Tommy Pham double play sent them home empty handed.
The Pirates (65-89) took a 1-0 lead just four pitches into the game after Jared Triolo reached via error and Spencer Horwitz smoked a double off the Clemente Wall. Bryan Reynolds kept the line moving with an RBI single, eventually coming around to score on a Nick Gonzales sacrifice fly.
Although he needed to work around two Pirates singles in the second inning and a Reynolds double in the fifth, Athletics starter Luis Severino managed to blank Pittsburgh from there.
Pirates’ starting pitcher Mitch Keller, on the other hand, retired the first 11 batters he faced before allowing a solo home run to rookie first baseman and All-Star Nick Kurtz. Keller began to labor, allowing a single and a two out walk in the fifth to set up Lawrence Butler’s go-ahead home run, a three-run shot to right-center.
The Pirates put the tying run on base in the fifth, seventh and eighth innings, advancing into scoring position on two separate occasions, but couldn’t come up with a decisive hit. Rookie callup Rafael Flores hit his second double in as many games to lead off the ninth against Athletics closer Michael Kelly, then Reynolds grounded out to put the tying run 90 feet away.
Tommy Pham’s double play ball extended an 0-for-23 streak and ended the game.
Key Moment
Butler’s home run, which came on a 2-1 count with two outs. Had Keller induced an out, he could’ve escaped the inning with the lead.
Star of the Game
Athletics’ center fielder Lawrence Butler, who put his team on top with two outs in the fifth courtesy of a three-run home run.
Notable Pirates Performances
- Bryan Reynolds: 2-for-4 with a walk and a double
- Mitch Keller: 5 IP, 4 ER, 4 K’s
Stat to Know
- Andrew McCutchen logged his first multi-hit game since Aug. 30 at Boston, picking up two singles.
- Tommy Pham sits amidst an 0-for-23 span.
- The Pirates are 1-12 since beginning September with a three-game sweep of the Dodgers.
Noteworthy
Jack and Jacob Wilson became the 20th father-son duo to play at PNC Park. Jacob Wilson is a rookie with the Athletics, while Jack Wilson played for the Pirates from 2001 to 2009, earning All-Star and Silver Slugger nods during the 2004 season.
Up Next
The Pirates will attempt to tie their series with the Athletics beginning at 6:40 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20. They haven’t yet announced their starter, but will face right-hander Luis Morales (4-1, 3.08 ERA, 34 K’s).
More about: Pirates