Bell, Kramer, Luplow & Pen Carry Bucs to 5-3 Win Over Miami

Arch had a pretty good start; he struck out the side. The Bucs hit into a couple of hard outs off Dan Straily, who likewise spun a 1-2-3 inning. With two gone in the second, Lewis Brinson spanked a high heater into the RC gap for two bags, causing no harm. Corey D banged a double the other way with an out. J-Bell went from 0-2 to a full count and then dropped a juicy heater into the bullpen in LC before Straily survived a couple of ropes to center; the Bucs are squaring him up pretty well in the early going. Arch walked the pitcher with an out in the third and then wild pitched him up a station. A two-out flair left Fish on the corners, but he worked out of the jam. Kevin Kramer lined a single to right with two gone for his first MLB knock and was left aboard. Miami opened with a rap; two pitches later, a 1-4-3 DP cleared the bases and a whiff ended their fourth. Straily struck out the side, his slider twice smooching the corner per plate ump Vic Carapazza; both calls raised growls from the Buc batters. The Marlins got a one-out walk and bunt for their action in the fifth.

J-Bell gave the Bucs the early lead (image AT&T Sportsnet)

Colin Moran lined out, his two balls gloved at 385 and 380'; Jordy followed with a fly to center, with his two outs flying 395 and 365'. Pull the @#%&* ball! Arch doubled after the two long outs, and Straily left the game a pitch later, bringing in Tyler Kinney. Starling legged out a hit to leave Pirates at first and third briefly, before Marte stole second, but Kramer's liner to right left them on the pond. The Fish got a one-down double from JT Realmuto followed by a walk. A whiff got Arch close, but not close enough; Brinson slammed a 2-0 slider served down the middle into the LF stands to give the Fish the lead before the third out. Lefty Jarlin Garcia got the ball and Gregory greeted him with a hustle double. Polanco slid awkwardly into second, caught a spike and came up grabbing his knee; he left the game gingerly, hanging on to the trainer. J-Bell walked with two gone and Joey O hit for Red Beard; Miami waved in righty Drew Rucinski and Clint sent Fraze up for Osuna...September, sheesh. He fanned, swinging through a 3-2 heater after just missing the RF pole with a hooking foul. Ric Rod and a small flotilla of player changes took the field in the seventh. RR fanned a pair and watched Starling run down a shot to the gap.

Tayron Guerrero, who sits at 100, took the bump. Jordy yanked a lead off double, and K-Ram's two-out bouncer up the middle tied the game. The Bucs took the lead when J-Low banged a center-cut, 1-2 count, 100 MPH heater the oppo way, into the RC seats. Edgar Santana was given the ball in the eighth, and Starlin Castro doubled on an 0-2 slider. Realmuto hit a rope that was right at Corey D *whew* and a pair of routine outs took it home. Nick Wittgren tossed an easy frame, helped by a kindly 3-2 call on Fraze for the third out. In the ninth, Felipe Vazquez gave up Brinson's third hit, a single, and he moved up on a passed ball. Then Felipe got serious to bring home the bacon, although he was a bit wild and ran the count full twice. RTJR.

K-Ram was sharp in his first start (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

Disappointing outing by Arch; his command was all over the place. It'd be nice to see him make some steady progress with the Pirates. But it was good to see J-Bell find the seats, K-Ram with good at bats and J-Low show off a little muscle. And it is four in a row, so it's all good tonight.

Notes:

• Kevin Kramer had two hits; J-Bell worked a walk and a knock.
• Gregory really did a belly-flopper with his slide; the Pirates announced he left with both knee and shoulder discomfort.
• J-Bell's homer was his first since August 11th and also his first RBI since then.
• Arch's double was his third career hit and first extra-base knock. 
• Chris Bostick, DFA'ed by the Bucs, was claimed by the Marlins and pinch hit tonight, popping out against The Nightmare on a 3-2 pitch.
• Dan Straily left the game with a strained oblique/back.
• The Curve came back from a 5-0 first-inning hole to beat Akron 8-5 and stay alive in the Eastern League playoffs. The big blow was a game-tying grand slam by SS Cole Tucker.