North Shore Nine

The Pittsburgh Pirates lose failing to hold the lead set by Reynolds. Jared Jones pitched six strong innings and Bryan Reynolds hit a Grand Slam to lead the Pirates. However they were unable to close it out in the 9th and threw the door wide open in the 10th, to lose 9-5.

Jared Jones was Jared Jones for the first three innings of the game. Over that frame he gave up one hit and one walk while striking out a pair. The Pirates tried to get it going against Blake Snell, getting men on base but being unable to push them across the plate.
In the bottom of the 4th the Pirates got and the board and chased Snell from the game. Oneil Cruz walked, Joey Bart singled, Jared Triolo flew out to RF, Michael A. Taylor then walked to load the bases. This brough Andrew McCutchen to the plate, where he earned a HBP to score the first run of the game. This brought up Bryan Reynolds, who deposited a ball over the Clemente wall for a Grand Slam! Giving the Pirates a 5-0 lead. Pirates put another two on base off a walk and a single, but left the inning still up 5-0.
Jones ran into a bit of trouble in the 5th. A leadoff double followed by a single made it 5-1 Pirates. Fortunately, Jones was able to settle in and complete the rest of the inning without another run scored.
Sadly the bottom of the 6th was not as easy. After a quick single a pop out left the man on 1st with one out. However, Matt Chapman then came to the plate and smoked a 2-run homerun to bring the score to 5-3. Jones was able though to get through the inning and finish his 6th inning with a relatively strong start.
Hunter Stratton came on for the 7th throwing 2 strikeouts and pitching a clean inning. Pirates did nothing in their half, bringing on Aroldis Chapman for the 8th. Who walked three without giving up an out. Colin Holderman came into the game and while allowing to score an inherited runner to score he shut it down in the bottom of the 8th, leaving the score 5-4 going into the bottom of the 8th. Pirates added no more in the 8th which brought Holderman back out for the 9th. He got two quick outs but a single with an error that turned into a double and a follow up single tied the game at 6 all. The Pirates were unable to win it in the 9th pushing the game to extras. In the top of the 10th, the Pirates could not keep the game in check, allowing four to go down 9-5. In the 10th the Pirates could not find repeat magic failing to score.

The Pirates will return to action tomorrow with Paul Skenes on the mound against TBD of the Giants. First pitch is scheduled for 12:35 PM.