The latest chapter of the Keystone State rivalry continues with another battle in the Steel City on the diamond. It’s the Philadelphia Phillies going on the road as they play the third game of a four-game set with the Pittsburgh Pirates Saturday night. In the opening game of the series Thursday night, Philadelphia built up a big lead but had to white knuckle their way to an 8-7 victory to draw first blood. Will the Phillies continue their climb in the NL playoff picture or can the Pirates throw a wrench in their plans? This article was published prior to the conclusion of the second game of this series Friday night at PNC Park.
Philadelphia won for the third time in four games as they managed to hang on for the victory despite another shaky bullpen performance Thursday night. The Phillies entered Friday third in the NL East, 9.5 games behind the Mets for the top spot in the division race. They were tied with the Cardinals for the final wild card spot in the National League. On Thursday, Philadelphia got three hits from Nick Castellanos (run, RBI) while four other players each added two to pace a 15-hit attack. Kyle Schwarber launched his 32nd homer of the season for the Phillies in the victory. Zack Wheeler (9-5) earned the win on the mound as he threw seven innings, allowing two runs on three hits with three walks and eight strikeouts. After Jeurys Familia gave up five runs in the ninth, Seranthony Dominguez came in and got the final two outs for his sixth save.
Ranger Suarez is on the mound to make his 18 th start of the season for the Phillies in this contest. He comes in 7-5 with a 3.84 ERA, a 1.393 WHIP, 34 walks and 72 strikeouts over 89 innings of work this season. Suarez didn’t factor in the decision in his last start, which came Monday at home against the Braves. He threw five innings, allowing three runs (none earned) on four hits with one walk and four strikeouts in a game the Phillies rallied to win 6-4. In his last three starts, Suarez is 1-1 with a 2.16 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP, three walks and 15 strikeouts over 16.2 innings of work. Suarez makes his fifth career appearance and second start against the Pirates in this contest. He has a 0-0 record, a 0.00 ERA, a 0.525 WHIP, no walks and 11 strikeouts over 13.1 innings of work. Suarez has a 1-0 record with a 0.00 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP, no walks and three strikeouts over two innings in his lone career appearance at PNC Park.