Yesterday, the Phillies (37-50) were blown out in game one against the Pittsburgh Pirates (46-41). Today, looking to stop the bleeding, Phillies sent rookie, right-hander David Buchanan (4-5 4.82 ERA) to the hill in what might be one of his last starts before being sent back to the minors with Cliff Lee starting in a rehab game tomorrow. The Pirates countered with Edinson Volquez (7-6 3.88 ERA). Volquez is having a solid season and has rebounded nicely from a poor 2013 season when he was 9-12 with a 5.71 ERA.
The Game: The Pirates didn’t wait long to strike first in today’s first inning. Stud rookie outfielder, Gregory Polanco, led off with a single. Then with one out, Andrew McCutchen hit his 13th home run of the season giving the Pirates the lead that would never give up. 2-0 Pirates
The Pirates added on to their lead in second. Pedro Alvarez led off with a single, Jordy Mercer followed with a double, and Buchanan hit Chris Stewart with a pitch to load the bases. Pitcher Edinson Volquez then hit an RBI ground out to help his cause. 3-0 Pirates
The Phillies would get one back in the fourth. Cody Asche led off with a homer to right. The homer had to be confirmed due to possible fan interference. 3-1 Pirates
Ken Giles came in the seventh inning and continued his dominance in the big leagues. Pitching one and a third innings, Giles struck out two and fail to give up a hit or walk dropping his ERA to 0.87.
In the top of the ninth the Phillies tried to rally against Pirates new closer Mark Melancon with Jason Grilli being traded to the Angels. Marlon Byrd led off with solo shot to deep right to pull the Phillies within one. But as many know a homer can be a rally killer. 3-2 Pirates
Significant Offensive Stats:
Marlon Byrd 1-4 HR
Cody Asche 1-4 HR
Impact: The Phillies continued to fall in the standings and out of contention. With trades coming from the A’s, Cubs, Diamondbacks, Angels, and Pirates already, trades could be around the corner for the Phillies. It will be interesting with Phillies players will waive no trade clauses and what the Phillies will get in return to jump start the rebuilding process.
Up Next: Tomorrow, the Phillies and Pirates close out their three game series (1:35 CSN). The Phillies will send former Pirate, A.J. Burnett (5-7 3.92 ERA) to the hill. This will be Burnett’s first start and time playing in Pittsburgh since leaving them this past offseason viva free agency. The Pirates will Jeff Locke (1-1 3.46 ERA) to the hill looking to close out the sweep. Locke was had bad luck getting decisions this season. He is 1-1 in six games.
Andrew Shipotofsky is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Ashipotofsky
