Arch On His Game Today; Bucs Take Series 6-1

Well, almost a good start for Arch, spoiled by Freddie Freeman's two-out solo shot into the shrubbery. Mike Foltynewicz twirled a calm frame. The Bravos tapped back-to-back knocks with an out in the second, but Archie popped a timely K and got Folty to bounce out. The Bucs had a big second that could have been huge. J-Bell doubled, then Redbeard and Gregory homered in consecutive at bats. Tuck doubled, Jake walked, and they were bunted up. K-Man hit a bullet, but it was an at 'em ball to second and Stallings was doubled up; bad ball luck cost the Bucs a run or two. Atlanta had runners on first and second with one away in the third, but couldn't cash them in. More lost chances: an infield knock by Bryan Reynolds was wiped out by a Starling DP; J-Bell then doubled, but the Pirates laid a goose egg. A single was all the Atlanta noise in the fourth; that was more than Pittsburgh managed. The fifth was Archie's first clean one; the Buccos also went down without a peep. The sharp twirling continued through the sixth.

He's backkkk... 2017 Panini Prizm

Brian McCann banged a leadoff double in the seventh, followed by a walk. That brought on Frankie, who got a first pitch around-the-horn DP and a fly from Ronald Acuna Jr. Sean Newcomb took over for Folty and shut the Buc bats once again. Frankie got the first two outs of the eighth before a K-Man boot; The Nightmare came in for the last out. Fraze singled, and Newcomb was replaced by Jacob Webb. After an out, Bryan Reynolds legged out an infield knock. With two away, J-Bell was looking to add some insurance, and his double did just that, plating a pair. It was contagious; Eli doubled Josh home. The Nightmare couldn't make it easy; a single and walk welcomed him to the ninth. Two outs later, another free pass juiced the sacks. But Felipe was just foolin' - he K'ed Dansby Swanson on three pitches to raise the Roger.

Him, too (we hope) - photo Pittsburgh Pirates

Well, it's obvious that the Pirates aren't alone in needing an arm or three. And give both sides' batters props - the Bravos scored three, three, and loaded the bases in their three ninth innings, while the Pirates were phenomenal with two outs, so the lineups ground it out to the final whistle. Pittsburgh needed this series and should arrive in Milwaukee with a good taste in the mouths. Let's hope the Listerine moment carries over against the Brew Crew.

Notes:

• J-Bell was back in form with three doubles; Bryan Reynolds never seems to have a bad day as he added a pair of raps. 
• Colin Moran has hit .355 w/5 HR and 15 RBI in the past 18 games.
• The Braves had the Buc hurlers dodging bullets all day, as they went 0-for-10 w/RISP and stranded 10 runners.
• Today was the first outing since April 13th that Archie gave up fewer than three earned runs.
• Frankie Liriano has made 28 appearances; he's given up two runs just once and sports a 1.21 ERA.
• 18,232 was the announced paid attendance today.