Phillies take series opener, snap Pirates' win streak

July 2, 2013

Box Score (From ESPN.com)

By Mike Patterson

The Phillies faced the Pirates in Pittsburgh on Tuesday night in game one of the three-game series. The Phils won 3-1 to snap the Pirates nine-game winning streak.

Brandon Cumpton started the game for the Pirates and cruised through the top of the first, only facing four batters.

Jonathan Pettibone started out the game strong for the Phils and put down the Pirates in the first. 

The game was uneventful for the next five innings, as neither team was able to string together more than one hit.

The Phils offense finally got it together in the top of the sixth inning. Michael Young kicked off the inning with a single to center.

He was forced out at second, however, due to a grounder hit by Utley, who safely reached first.

Jimmy Rollins came up and hit a single to the gap in right. Utley advanced to second. 

Howard kept the streak going with an RBI single to center to score Utley and advance Rollins to third.

Rollins also came around to score and take a 2-0 lead on a sacrifice fly hit by Dominic Brown. 

Delmon Young hit a deep double to left center, which scored Howard to take a 3-0 lead. He reached third on a throwing error by Pirates’ shortstop, Mercer. 

The Pirates brought out Wilson to relieve Cumpton, who successfully got out of the inning without allowing another run.

Pirates’ first baseman, Garrett Jones, homered to center in the bottom of the sixth to cut into the Phils lead, 3-1 and mark the end of the line for Pettibone, who was relieved by Diekmen. 

The Phillies used numerous relievers throughout the next three and a half innings to keep the Pirates at bay.

There were signs of trouble in the eighth when the Pirates loaded the bases with two outs. Finally, the third reliever of the inning, Justin De Fratus, struck out Mercer to end the inning. 

Jonathan Papelbon successfully closed out the game for the Phils, putting down all three batters faced to win the game. 

The Phillies and Pirates will face off again Wednesday night in game two of the series. Lannan and Gomez are expected to start for the Phils and Pirates, respectively. 

(Image from ABC News.com)