The Pirates end the first half of the season one game over .500 after their second straight win over American League West-leading Seattle.
Greg Brown recaps yesterday’s win.
Manager Donnie Kelly says the Pirates had to battle to get the win.
Ironically, while the Pirates are a game over .500, they are in fourth place in the National League Central Division, while in contrast, the Mariners are an even .500 and in first place in their division. Kelly likes the fight the Pirates have shown through the first 81 games, but he thinks they can improve over the second 81.
The Pirates are back to NL Central play tonight. The Cincinnati Reds come to PNC Park to face the Bucs’ Paul Skenes tonight. Skenes (6-7, 2.86 ERA) has not won in seven straight starts, going all the way back to May 12th. The Reds counter with left-hander Andrew Abbott (5-4, 3.83 ERA). The airtime is 6:15, with first pitch at 6:40 on WCCS.
Konnor Griffin made the short trip from Altoona to Pittsburgh yesterday to be evaluated after his first rehab start, on Wednesday for the Curve. And he had a surprise travel companion with him, infielder Jack Brannigan, who was called up to the Pirates from Double-A when first baseman Spencer Horwitz was placed on the injured list with discomfort in his left hamstring. Horwitz had an ultrasound and an MRI and was diagnosed with a strain.
Brannigan is batting only .235 with eight homers and eighteen RBIs after yet another lengthy stint on the Curve’s injured list, but he’s been hot lately, with four home runs and nine RBIs in his last six games.
