The Pittsburgh Pirates bullpen allowed another game to escape Thursday afternoon in a 7-6 loss to the San Francisco Giants. Rookie Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes left the game in the sixth inning with a 5-1 lead. Hunter Stratton allowed five straight hits, including a three-run home run to Giants third baseman Matt Chapman in the eighth inning.
The Pirates lost a game for the second straight day when they hit a grand slam home run. A day after Bryan Reynolds hit a home run with the bases loaded, catcher Joey Bart did the same in the fourth inning Thursday.
Prior to Thursday’s game, the Pirates sent struggling outfielder Jack Suwinski to Triple-A Indianapolis and brought up reliever Jose Hernandez. Suwinski was hitting .174 with four home runs and 13 RBIs in 138 at-bats this season. Hernandez allowed a run in relief of Paul Skenes in the seventh inning Thursday.
The Pirates open a three-game series with the Atlanta Braves tonight at PNC Park. First pitch is 6:40pm. Pre-game on WISR begins at 6:15pm.
–The Bucs and Braves play Saturday at 4:05pm. WISR pre-game is 3:40pm.
–Sunday’s game begins at 1:35pm. Pre-game on WISR is 1:10pm.
The Pirates are off Monday, then will visit Detroit for two games beginning Tuesday.