The game began as a pitchers' duel with Mitch Keller and Lucas Giolito suppressing offense and a diving grab by Rafaela preventing damage in the second. The fifth inning became chaotic: a Horwitz ground-rule double, a pick-off by Gio, then three walks and a wild pitch produced a run. The Pirates then faltered defensively, allowing Roman Anthony to tie it and Jarren Duran to hit a line drive that eluded outfielders and resulted in a stand-up inside-the-park home run. Rafaela added an infield single for insurance, Justin Slaten surrendered a solo homer, Garrett Whitlock avoided a big mistake, and Aroldis Chapman closed the game. The win, coupled with a Yankees loss, tightened division and Wild Card positioning. Duran delivered a much-needed offensive burst and Chapman provided a decisive save, while Trevor Story endured a rough day at the plate.
A fielding error and a ground rule double set things up for Roman Anthony to at least tie the game on a groundout. Alex Bregman gets hit by a pitch and Keller looks rattled. Here comes Jarren Duran. Line drive base hit, gets past Oneil Cruz and Alexander Canario and goes alllll the way to the wall. The Angry Lizard does what the Angry Lizard does. Flies all the way around the bases and a stand-up inside-the-parker.
This really felt like a game of two games within the same one. It started up being a pitcher's duel between Mitch, Keller and Lucas Giolito- well really just a lack of offense on both sides. Giolito definitely got bailed out in the top of the second inning with a fantastic diving grab by Rafaela in centerfield. The 5th is where things got dicey.
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