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One day after Jameson Taillon gave the Pittsburgh Pirates five shutout innings and the bullpen shut the door in a 3-0 victory over Philadelphia, Wednesday seemed similar.
Despite allowing a two-run home run to Maikel Franco in the first inning and getting some unfavorable calls throughout the game from home plate umpire Larry Vanover , Gerrit Cole settled down the rest of the way to shut down the Phillies offense as the Bucs won 5-2. Cole allowed just the two first innings runs on seven hits while walking one and striking out eight.
It is not secret that Cole has had an up and down season. He endured a tough stretch of four consecutive bad starts, following it up with some better outings. In his last start against San Francisco, the veteran righty allowed seven earned runs in a game for the third time this season. He also surrendered 10 plus hits in a game for the fourth time this year.
It was a different story for Cole Wednesday. Yes, I know it was against a Phillies offense that ranks 25th in baseball – just ahead of the Pirates – in team batting average, but it was a nice way for him to close out the first half as the start is likely his last until after the All-Star break.
Pitcher that Rakes
Aside from going six strong innings for the Bucs, Cole also helped himself out at the plate Wednesday. After the Bucs tied the game in the fourth inning on a triple by Josh Bell and a sacrifice fly off the bat of David Freese, Cole had an opportunity to do some damage later in the frame. With bases loaded, Cole hit a 1-1 pitch up the middle to bring in Gregory Polanco and Francisco Cervelli to give the Bucs the lead they would not relinquish.
As a team, the Bucs didn’t hit exceptionally well against the Phillies. In fact, they were outhit 10-8, left eight runners in scoring position and were 2 for 11 with runners in scoring position.
The Pirates struggles have been evident this season and they take wins however they can get them. The offense did what it took to get the job done and Cole did the most damage when it was needed most.
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Baseball Talk on the Web
- Home Run Derby matchups were announced Wednesday.
- Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez responded to criticism from Rays first baseman Logan Morrison regarding Sanchez’s participating in the Home Run Derby.
- A Gateway High School freshman will compete at the 14-Under division of the Junior Home Run Derby at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Miami.
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