North Shore Nine

The Pittsburgh Pirates fell in the Angels getaway game today 5-4 to the Los Angeles. Unable to hold the lead they fought to obtain in the 5th they fell to 17-21 on the season. Martin Perez almost got in trouble in the 1st inning being unable to put batters away on 2 strike counts. However even after the leadoff double he was able to bear down and get the next three batters out. The Pirates in their half got a pair of 2-out singles from Oneil Cruz and Connor Joe, but a 3 pitch Rowdy Tellez strikeout ended the frame.
After an easy 2nd for Perez he ran into trouble in the 3rd. A leadoff home-run Jo Adell broke the scoreless tie. Fortunately a follow up single was immediately erased by a double play. Followed by a strikeout of Cole Tucker to end the top of the frame. Perez got back on track in the 4th throwing an easy 1-2-3 frame.
In the 5th Perez gave up another run, but was able to escape further damage with a strikeout and a ground out. In the bottom of the frame the cavalry appeared. After loading the bases with 2-outs Oneil Cruz hit a bases clearing double. This was followed by a Joe single to extend the lead to 4-2.
The lead didn’t last long. Three singles in a row and a double tied the game at 4-4 putting men on 2nd and 3rd with no outs. A Willie Calhoun Sac-fly have the Angels the lead back at 5-4. Thankfully, a groundout and a fly-out stopped the bleeding. The Pirates could not do anything to answer bring the game into the 7th.
Aroldis Chapman came on the the 7th struck out two walked one and then promptly picked him off first. The Pirates once again went quietly in their half of the inning. Colin Holderman came in and pitched a quick 1-2-3 8th, making way for the heart of the Pirates lineup. Who also managed to go 1-2-3. Chris Stratton came in for his own 1-2-3 inning bring the Pirates up down one into the bottom of the ninth. A fly out, a strikeout and another strikeout ended the Pirates afternoon.

The Pirates return to action Friday against the Chicago Cubs. The game will be at 6:40 PM at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA. Jared Jones will pitch for the Pirates with Jameson Taillon going for the Cubs.