The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Seattle Mariners 5-1 Thursday afternoon to take two of three games in their series. Brandon Lowe hit his 19th home run of the year, a two-run shot in the first inning. Henry Davis hit his sixth home run, also a two-run shot in the third inning. Bubba Chandler earned his third victory of the season while pitching into the sixth inning. He allowed one run on five hits. Chandler walked three and struck out four.
Four Pirate relievers closed the final 3-2/3rd innings with scoreless baseball.
The Pirates are now 41-40 as they reach the half-way point of their season. It is the first time since 2015 that they are above .500 at that half-way point.
The Bucs remain 9-1/2 games behind first-place Milwaukee. The Brewers have the second-best record in baseball, behind the defending world champion Los Angeles Dodgers. The Pirates are 2-1/2 back in the chase for a National League Wild Card.
Thursday’s victory was the 100th in the young managerial career of the Pirates Don Kelly. He is now 100-105 in his tenure with the Bucs.
The Pirates open a three-game series with the Cincinnati Reds tonight at PNC Park. First pitch is 6:40pm. Pre-game on WISR begins at 6:15pm. Paul Skenes will start for the Pirates. He is 6-7 this season with a 2.86 ERA.
Saturday’s game will have a 4:05pm start time. Pre-game on WISR begins at 3:40pm. Jared Jones is the scheduled starting pitcher.
Sunday’s game begins at 1:35pm. WISR pre-game begins at 12:35pm. Mitch Keller will start for the Pirates.
The Bucs head to Philadelphia to begin a four-game series Monday night.
The Pirates had to place first baseman Spencer Horwitz on the Injured List Thursday with a hamstring issue. The team brought up infielder Jack Brannigan from Double-A Altoona. It could be a quick stop for the 25-year old Brannigan, as the Pirates are expecting the return of Konnor Griffin from the Injured List within the next week.
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