Frankie Outguns Clayton In LA 3-2

The Bucs almost did some damage against Clayton in the first; Josh's one out single and a wild pitch set him up, but Cutch's liner the opposite way was hauled in and A-Ram whiffed. As per recent Bucco MO, LA scored in the first off Frankie. A single, wild pitch and another knock by Howie Kendrick made it 1-0; fortunately a DP preceded the third hit of the inning, a double by Justin Turner, who was left at second. The next frame went by quietly.

The bottom of the Bucco order generated a fruitful third inning. Jordy and Frankie singled, followed by a roller that moved them both up. Josh whiffed, but with a base open, the Dodgers opted to pitch to Cutch. He made them pay with a two bagger to right, and the Bucs were ahead 2-1. Francisco tossed a 1-2-3 frame. The fourth provided no action. Jordy singled and was picked off by Kershaw in the fifth while Frankie whiffed the side.

In the sixth, Josh singled and was picked off breaking early for second after Cutch and A-Ram K'ed. Frankie picked up a couple of more whiffs in a calm inning, with Jordy maiing a sweet play behind him. The Bucs drew a pair of walks with two outs. Clint let Liriano bat, and he tapped back to the mound. Frankie got into a pitching jam in his half; a single and walk (the ump blew the third strike call) cost when AJ Ellis doubled to left to tie it up. An intentional walk loaded 'em, but Frankie had a last hurrah left, getting a 6-4-3 of Austin Barnes' bat to end the frame knotted at twos.

Frankie won the battle of the lefties (photo Dave Arrigo/Pirates)

The Bucs had a push left, too. Gregory greeted Kershaw with a double, ending his night and bringon Chris Hatcher. A grounder sent Polanco to third, and Cutch was walked intentionally. A-Ram then came up big, doubling a run home. Another intentional walk juiced the bases for S-Rod, but he didn't have a fly ball in him. Rodriguez dribbled the ball in front of the plate and stood there, apparently believing it was foul; the catcher stepped on home for the force and the throw to first completed the DP. Tony Watson worked a clean inning, aided by a sparkling running grab by El Coffee in the corner that Clint called "prime time" after the game.

Yimi Garcia tossed a 1-2-3 ninth, and the Shark came on to do the same. After a four game dry spell, the Bucs can again raise the Roger.

Frankie was back to old form; he retired 16 in a row at one point with nine whiffs and came up large when the Bucs needed an stopper. Cutch and A-Ram came through, and the Pirate pulse has been revived. Gerrit Cole goes for the series win tomorrow afternoon against Mark Bolsinger.

• Mark Melancon's 47th save set the team mark, eclipsing Mark Williams' 2002 record of 46 saves.
• Josh and Jordy each had two hits tonight.
• The Bucs are 2-0 this season against Clayton Kershaw.
• The Pirates magic number to clinch a playoff spot is four. The Bucs are four games behind St. Louis and a game ahead of Chicago. 
• Pittsburgh matched its 2014 win total of 88 with tonight's victory.
• Indy fell short of the International League crown tonight, losing the deciding fifth game 3-0 to Columbus.