Gregory's Triple, Jordan & the Back End Were Tough Enough For 2-1 Win

Well, first it was 2:15. Then 4:35. Then 4:50. Then 5:10...and hey, it actually started. Miles Mikolas spun a nine-pitch, 1-2-3 frame. Jordan Lyles went full on all four Redbirds with a walk and wild pitch in the mix. He also fanned a pair but rang up 30 pitches. Redbeard walked with two gone in the second for all the Pittsburgh action. The Cards also got a walk with two gone as Jordan put up another zippo. The Buc bats continue to flounder; after three, they haven't got a ball past the infield. Goldy walked with two gone for the second time; both were after Lyles was up 0-2. This time it cost; Gregory had a ball pop in and out of his glove; it was ruled a double (it was a tough chance, hit to the wall) and scored Goldschmidt. Starling opened the fourth with a rap, and Gregory tripled him home with a drive to the gap in RC. J-Bell singled him in, and then the dance stopped. Jordan got what was called for; a quick, shutdown inning. Mikolas struck out the side in the fifth; Lyles tossed a clean inning. Both sides went down in order in the sixth.

Gregory's three-bagger was the game's big blow (image via Pirates)

Again, not a peep from the Bucs in the seventh. Ric Rod got the first two outs in the St. Louie half, then Frankie Liriano collected the third on a contested bleeder that was originally ruled an out, challenged, and call confirmed. John Gant got the eighth, gave up a leadoff knock and then fanned two of the next three Bucs. Kyle Crick took the hill, walked the first guy *sheesh*, then gave up a two-out rap to Goldy to roost Redbirds on the corners. A four-pitch walk juiced the sacks, but Clint stuck w/Crick against tough RH Marcell Ozuna and it worked, as he rolled over on a slider and bounced out. Andrew Miller answered the ninth inning call and picked up a pair of punchouts in a quiet frame. It's Felipe Vazquez time, and The Nightmare coasted to another save; raise the Roger.

Like Willy last night, Jordan Lyles survived a long first and gave the Bucs six innings of one-run, one-hit ball. The bullpen did the rest with just one bit of nail-biting drama, and Gregory's triple was the linchpin of the attack, as it was - the Pirates had four hits yet doubled the Cards output. The Pirates have won 7-of-10 since their long losing stretch, and have a chance to take the road series tomorrow.

Notes:

• Bryan Reynolds had a tough outing; he fanned three times this evening. He had company, as 11 Buccos K'ed. No Pirate reached base more than once; they only had five runners all night. The Cards just had seven, even with five walks. Goldy was aboard three times with a knock and two walks.
• The Pirates picked up RHP Chris Stratton, 28, from the Angels for cash after he was DFA'ed. Nick Burdi was transferred to the 60-day IL to make room on the 40-man, and a move on the active roster will take place when Chris joins the team. Stratton made seven outings (five starts) with at 0-2/8.59 line so far this year. He was w/SF from 2016-18 and his slash there was 15-14/4.63, mainly as a starter. Guess Neal was bored during the rain delay...
• Old Bucco moves - the Mets placed LHP Justin Wilson (left elbow soreness) on the IL. On the other side of the pillow, C Erik Kratz was activated from the IL by the Giants.