Pirates Erase Four-Run Deficit; Defeat Braves 7-5 to Split Series

Recap

PITTSBURGH — Ke’Bryan Hayes and Liover Peguero combined for five RBIs in the Pittsburgh Pirates come-from-behind 7-5 victory over the Atlanta Braves at PNC Park on Thursday afternoon.

The Braves jumped out to a 4-0 lead after three innings against Bailey Falter, who was making his second start with the Pirates.

In the first, Austin Riley singled home Ozzie Albies. Orlando Arcia (second inning) and Matt Olson (third inning) each belted solo home runs off of Falter to make it 3-0. Later in the third inning, Marcell Ozuna drove in a run with a double for the Braves (72-41).

Then, it was the Pirates’ turn with the bats. Hayes got the Pirates (52-63) on the board by driving in a pair of runs with a base hit up the middle in the third. Alfonso Rivas followed with a sacrifice fly to left, cutting the Pirates’ deficit to just one.

Peguero tied the game 4-4 in the sixth inning with an RBI single and Jason Delay put the Pirates ahead by a run with an RBI groundout.

Hayes added an insurance run for the Pirates in the seventh with a run-scoring triple to right center. Four batters later, Peguero drove in Hayes with his second RBI single of the game.

Thomas Hatch (1-0) made his Pirates’ debut and was credited with the win after throwing four-scoreless innings of relief.

Though he allowed a run in the ninth inning, Colin Holderman sealed the victory with his second save of the season.

Key Moment 

Manager Derek Shelton picked up the bullpen phone and called for Hatch to get ready. The right-hander kept the Braves at bay.

Star of the Game

Hayes continued to stay hot at the plate and helped in leading the comeback charge formed by the Pirates

Stat to Know

After collecting two more hits in four at-bats, Bryan Reynolds is hitting .325 (25 for 77) over his last 19 games played.

Noteworthy

•  Over his last three games, Hayes has driven in nine runs. He’s driven in three runs in each of those three games. He also has seven hits over that span including a double, a triple and two home runs.
• Hayes became the 14th Pirates’ player in the modern era and the first since Jason Bay in 2006 do drive in three-plus runs in three-straight games.
• Delay went 2 for 4 with a pair of singles, an RBI and a run scored. He now has a five-game hitting streak to his name.
• The Pirates have not dropped a series since losing two out of three to the Los Angeles Angels from July 21-23.
• Tucupita Marcano underwent right ACL reconstruction surgery on Wednesday. He’s expected to return to full baseball activities in 9-12 months.

Up Next

The Pirates will welcome the Cincinnati Reds to town for a three-game series starting Friday night. Johan Oviedo (6-11, 4.18 ERA) will look to keep it rolling. He will be opposite LHP Andrew Abbott (6-3, 2.93 ERA). First pitch: 7:05.