By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Six-year veteran southpaw Drew Smyly's debut with his new club — the Philadelphia Phillies (52-48) — matched, if not exceeded, expectations Sunday afternoon in the club's 2-1 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates (46-52) at PNC Park.
After allowing a double and walk, and a RBI single to 15-year veteran Melky Cabrera in the first, the left-hander would retire 15 of his final 18 batters faced — seven via strikeout — without allowing another run.
In total, Smyly would scatter four hits, one run and two walks allowed, while punching out eight batters, over six innings, 96 pitches and 62 strikes. Smyly induced 16 swinging strikes, and kept his team in the game, whose only other run entering the ninth was a two-out RBI single by Phillies second baseman Cesar Hernandez in the fourth, scoring Bryce Harper from second, following a rain delay.
The score remained 1-1 until there was one out in the top of the 11th, when Rhys Hoskins launched a go-ahead and eventual game-winning home run to left, his 21st blast and 62nd RBI of the season.
Clutch. #RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/JbC2tLh2RH
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 21, 2019
Juan Nicasio (7th), Adam Morgan (8th, BB, 2 SO), Hector Neris (9th, BB, 2 HBP) and Ranger Suarez (10th & 11th, 1B, 2B, 3 SO) all tossed scoreless appearances in relief of Smyly.
Power Ranger#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/LTJiIlkLSW
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 21, 2019
With the victory, the Phillies secured their first consecutive series wins in Pittsburgh since 1987; the Phillies have lost just two games to the Pirates out of 10 overall over the past two seasons.
Game Notes:
Dude just walked on the field and tried to shake Brad Miller’s hand. Cuffed in the Phillies dugout and taken away: pic.twitter.com/l3AcBxiSLw
— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) July 21, 2019
- The Phillies are now 5-5 since the All-Star break, while the Pirates are 2-7.
- Phillies shortstop Jean Segura was removed from the game due to renewed left heel soreness.
- Smyly was released by the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday and officially signed with the Phillies on Sunday morning. To make room for him on the 40-man roster, the Phillies designated RHP Fernando Salas for assignment prior to the game.
- Smyly made just his 10th start since the 2016 season, and the first of his career in the National League (95 overall). He struck out the side in the fifth.
- With the Pirates' Starling Marte batting and two outs in the eighth, Phillies catcher Andrew Knapp threw out Kevin Newman on a stolen base attempt at second for the third out.
- The Phillies opposed Pirates rookie RHP Dario Agrazal, who entered the game 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA. Through six innings and 93 pitches, Agrazal yielded just one run, three hits and two walks while striking out five.
- Agrazal recorded his fourth straight quality start.
- Suarez is now 3-0 with a 2.81 ERA.
Rhys Hoskins' HR off Chris Stratton in the top of the 11th was Hoskins' latest HR of his career by innings.
He has 1 other extra-inning HR, a game-tying HR in the bottom of the 10th inning on September 12, 2017. The Phillies went on to win that game in 15 innings.
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) July 21, 2019
Thank you to the Phillies broadcast team for featuring our firefighters from Ladder 15 in Frankford who travelled to Pittsburgh for today’s game. The trip is in memory of their fellow firefighter Dennis McDaniels, who passed away in June. Special hats were made to honor McDaniels pic.twitter.com/A5SWyD4t35
— Philadelphia Fire (@PhillyFireDept) July 21, 2019
What's Next:
- Tuesday, July 23, 2019: at Detroit Tigers, 7:10 p.m.
- Comerica Park, Detroit, Mi.
- RHP Aaron Nola (8-2, 3.77 ERA) vs. LHP Matthew Boyd (6-8, 4.13 ERA)
- TV: NBCSP; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
