The Atlanta Braves defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 last night at PNC Park. Pirates starting pitcher Ivan Nova allowed a two-run home run in the fifth inning and took the loss. He allowed just the two runs on four hits over six innings. Reliever Michael Feliz allowed three more runs in the seventh. It was the first time in five games the Pirates bullpen allowed runs. The Pirates lone run came from a Gregory Polanco solo home run in the ninth inning, his 20th of the season. The Bucs host the Braves for the series finale tonight at 7:05pm. Pre-game on WISR is 6:40pm.
Pirates centerfielder Starling Marte did not start again last night. Manager Clint Hurdle said he had a doctors appointment. Marte was a late inning replacement in the game.
The Pirates have won three of their past 10 games, and have fallen back below .500 at 63-64 overall. They are 6-12 games back in the Wild Card.
The Washington Nationals, who are a half-game in front of the Pirates in the Wild Card race, have apparently thrown in the towel on their season. The Nationals traded second baseman Daniel Murphy to the Chicago Cubs for a minor league infielder, and sent former Slippery Rock University stand-out Matt Adams to the St. Louis Cardinals for cash. Adams began his professional career with the Cards. Washington had also placed outfielder Bryce Harper on waivers in an attempt to trade him to the Los Angeles Dodgers, but a deal could not be finalized.
The Altoona Curve defeated Binghampton 9-2 last night in the Double-A Eastern League. The Curve remain a half game behind first-place Akron who defeated Erie last night.
All of the games at the Little League World Series in Williamsport were rained out Tuesday.
The post Pirates hitting woes continue in loss to Braves appeared first on ButlerRadio.com – Butler, PA.
