Pirates Preview: Bucs Go for Fourth Series Win This Season

The Don Kelly era started on a high note as the Pittsburgh Pirates snapped a seven-game losing streak by defeating the Atlanta Braves 3-2 at PNC Park on Friday night.

Bailey Falter was excellent, and home runs from Alexander Canario and Jared Triolo helped pave the way to getting Kelly a win in his first game as manager.

The Pirates (13-26) will attempt to clinch a series win over the Braves (18-20) on Saturday in the second game of the series on the North Shore.

First pitch is set for 4:05 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh and 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

Sunny skies and temperatures around 70 degrees for first pitch. Winds WSW at 6-8 mph.

LHP Andrew Heaney (2-3, 3.18 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

After an excellent start to his season, Heaney has struggled in his last two starts.

In 8.1 innings during that span, Heaney has allowed eight runs on 13 hits with seven walks and only three strikeouts. Additionally, he’s allowed three home runs.

In five starts to begin the season, Heaney only allowed more than one run once and had a 1.72 ERA while opponents hit just .165 with a .479 OPS against him.

In his career against the Braves, Heaney has made two starts and owns a 5.00 ERA (5er/9.0ip).

RHP AJ Smith-Shawver (2-2, 3.00 ERA) Will Start for the Braves

Smith-Shawver is coming off his best start as a big-leaguer.

The right-hander threw a career-high 8.0 innings and shut out the Cincinnati Reds one one hit. Smith-Shawver struck out five batters and walked four.

Through his first four starts of the season, Smith-Shawver went 1-2 with a 4.26 ERA. He was briefly optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Apr. 13 but was recalled at the end of the month.

This will be his first start against the Pirates.

Braves Hitters vs. Heaney

• Matt Olson: 5 for 17, one double, two RBI, one walk, four strikeouts
• Alex Verdugo: 2 for 11, one RBI, two strikeouts
• Sean Murphy: 0 for 4, one walk, three strikeouts
• Eli White: 0 for 4, one walk, one strikeouts
• Orlando Arcia: 0 for 3, one strikeout

Pirates Hitters vs. Smith-Shawver

• N/A

Tidbits

• Bailey Falter is one of two Pirates’ pitchers since 1893 to go at least 6.0 innings while allowing one run or fewer, two hits or fewer and two walks or fewer in each of his last two starts. The other is Sam Leever in 1900.
• Falter has a 0.45 ERA (1er/20.0ip) over his last three starts at PNC Park.
• Since he was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis, David Bednar has a 2.00 ERA (2er/9.0ip) with 13 strikeouts. Opponents have managed a miniscule .581 OPS against him.

Links

Perrotto: A Night to Remember for Don Kelly

Pirates’ David Bednar ‘Really Happy’ to Be Playing for Fellow Yinzer Don Kelly

Pirates Win Kelly’s First! Falter Continues Home Dominance

Pirates Roster Moves: Ji Hwan Bae Recalled in Place of Injured First Baseman

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