The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 5-1, ending the Rays' six-game win streak. Bubba Chandler excelled on the mound, while Oneil Cruz contributed with a crucial home run.
Photo provided by Eddie Provident
PITTSBURGH â The Tampa Bay Rays entered Fridayâs game with a six-game win streak, but the Pittsburgh Pirates, as has been the case since dropping the first two games of the season, refused to lose a second straight game.
Bubba Chandler pitched a gem and Oneil Cruz hit a big home run to lift the Pirates (12-8) to a 5-1 win over the Rays (11-8) at PNC Park.
Bottom 2nd, 1-0 PIT: Marcell Ozuna singled, advanced to second and scored on Spencer Horwitzâs double into the right field corner off Nick Martinez (0-1).
Top 6th, 1-1: Junior Caminero evened the score with an RBI single off Bubba Chandler with two outs. Chandler Simpson, who scored on the play, singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch.
Bottom 6th, 3-1 PIT: The Pirates took the lead right back in the bottom of the inning when Oneil Cruz lined a two-run home run off over the Clemente Wall in right field.
Bottom 8th, 5-1 PIT: Brandon Lowe padded the lead with a two-run double off the wall in right-center field against Yoendrys GĂłmez.
The final score was 5-1 in favor of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Bubba Chandler pitched exceptionally well, and Oneil Cruz hit a significant home run.
The Pirates bounced back to secure a win, refusing to lose a second consecutive game.
Yoshida's clutch hit leads Red Sox to a 1-0 win against Tigers!
See every story in Sports â including breaking news and analysis.
Bubba Chandler (1-1) escaped a two-on, two-out jam in the top of the sixth inning and the Pirates capitalized on a two-out chance in the bottom of the inning with Oneil Cruzâs home run on a 2-2 pitch.
Bubba Chandler tied a career-high with six innings and had a season-low one walk. He held the Rays to one run on three hits and got his first win of the season.
Spencer Horwitz, who went 3 for 3 with an RBI double off Nick Martinez, is now 10 for 10 with three doubles, a home run, four RBI and two walks in his career against the Rays right-hander.
Paul Skenes will start for the Pirates on his bobblehead day in the second game of the series on Saturday. RHP The Rays will have Drew Rasmussen (1-0, 1.13 ERA) on the mound. First pitch: 4:05 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh/93.7 The Fan.
The post Chandler Shines Bright in Pirates Win Over Rays; Cruzâs Impressive Breaks Tie appeared first on Pittsburgh Baseball Now.