Archie Effective, Pirates Break It Open Late To Take 6-3 Win Over San Diego

Lotta pitches (21) but good opener for Archie with a single, whiff, and two grounders. Kevin Newman singled to start up the Bucs v Chris Paddack, but a force and 5-4-3 DP by Starling made it an easy inning. The last two Friar batters in the second got ahead 3-0; Arch came back to K one and get a grounder from the other. There was no noise by the Buccos. The hurlers exchanged walks in the third. Manny Machado bopped the second pitch of the fourth over the wall in left; he did the same in the fourth yesterday. The Padres got two more walks, one intentional, before it ended. Bryan Reynolds doubled after working the count full in a pro at-bat to leadoff; Starling also worked it and drew a 3-2 walk. J-Bell picked up a free pass on five pitches as the Pirates are showing some discipline the second time around. Redbeard popped out foul, then Corey D went after an ankle-high 2-2 change, rolling into a 4-6-3 DP. Another golden goose bites the dust.

Arch wasn't efficient but he was effective - image Pittsburgh Pirates

It was a clean fifth for Archer, who's up to 85 pitches. The Bucs broke through thx to an unlikely pair - Jake Stallings singled with an out and Joey O, hitting for Arch, drilled a homer into the right center bleachers to make it 2-1 good guys. Reynolds added another knock to no avail. Ric Rod got the sixth inning wave, and posted two whiffs with a walk and more importantly, another zero. Brad Wieck gave up an infield knock to J-Bell; Colin bounced into a 4-6-3 DP followed by a K as the Bucs keep shooting themselves in the foot. Frankie Liriano came on in the seventh; a double, bunt single and sac fly tied the game. Trey Wingenter toed the rubber, and Jake singled with one gone; Jason Martin ran for him and was wild-pitched to second. K-Man walked with two gone, But Reynolds fanned, swinging through a 97 MPH heater. Kyle Crick was the eighth inning arm. He struck out the side, with a walk and single sprinkled in to add some fuss to the frame.

Fraze was clutch - image Pirates calendar

Craig Stammen was greeted by a leadoff opp-field triple by Starling and a walk to J-Bell. Colin tapped back to the hill, first pitch swinging at sinker away and almost in the dirt. An intentional walk loaded 'em up for Fraze, who bounced a two-run single up the middle, yay RISP success! Eli ripped a prime cut 3-0 sinker into center to plate another and send Fraze to third. JHK fought back from 0-2 to lift a sac fly, making it 6-2. Michael Feliz got the ninth inning beckon. A walk scored on a Manny Machado two-out, two-strike single, and that brought in Felipe Vazquez, as it's now a save situation. It took five pitches to raise the Roger as he K'ed Hunter Renfroe.

Great start to the series, though the Bucs made it harder than it should've been by crapping out in the fourth. But it's nice to see the formula the Pirates were counting on - take a game into the late innings and ride the bullpen - working. Arch looked good, if not very efficient; like Big Joe last night, he pretty much scrapped the sinker today. The brooms will be a'waiting tomorrow's match.

Notes:

• Bryon Reynolds and Jake Stallings each had a pair of raps. J-Bell reached three times with a knock and two walks.
• The Nightmare has converted 19-of-20 save opps this year. The rest of the team (six other guys have gotten save opps) is 2-of-14.
• The Buc pitchers fanned 12 Padres today. Frankie was the only twirler among the six Clint used without a whiff.
• There were 26,919 in the yard today, as the weather is finally cooperating with the club.