Gonzales’ walk-off sac fly gives Pirates series opening win over Phillies
By NOAH HILES
PITTSBURGH POST GAZETTE
PITTSBURGH (TNS) — The Pirates opened their weekend home series against the Phillies on Friday evening with a dramatic 5-4 win thanks to a walk-off sacrifice fly from Nick Gonzales in the bottom of the ninth inning. David Bednar was the game’s winning pitcher, improving to 1-4 on the season. Jordan Romano suffered the loss, falling to 0-3 on the year.
The Phillies opened the scoring in the top of the first inning, thanks to a groundout from Nick Castellanos that plated leadoff hitter Trea Turner.
The Pirates responded in the bottom half, tying the game at one when Bryan Reynolds drove home Gonzales, who tripled the prior at-bat.
The back-and-forth continued as the game progressed.
Alec Bohm’s RBI single in the top of the third was matched by a Reynolds solo homer in the bottom half, tying the game at 2. The next inning, Turner’s two-RBI single in the top half was equalized by a two-run homer from Henry Davis, tying the contest at 4.
With both starters removed from the game by the end of the fourth inning, solid efforts from both bullpens brought the scoring to a halt until the bottom of the ninth, when Gonzales walked it off for the win. His sac fly scored Adam Frazier, who led off the frame
Berl/Getty Images/TNS with a single. Frazier advanced to second on a single to center by Jared Triolo, and then moved to third on a bunt single from Isiah Kiner-Falefa, setting the table for Gonzales’ heroics.
It was over when … Gonzales walked it off with a sacrifice fly to left field.
On the mound Following a dominant month of May, lefty Bailey Falter struggled in his first start in June, allowing four runs, all earned on five hits and two walks over 3 2/3 innings against his former team. Typically reliable within the zone, Falter struggled to hit his spots, resulting in a few free passes and even more hard contact. This marks just the second time this season Falter failed to finish the fourth inning.
At the plate The Pirates outhit the Phillies 11 to seven.
Reynolds, Davis and Frazier each provided multi-hit efforts for Don Kelly’s club.
Most valuable player Gonzales, who drove home the game’s winning run.
Up next The Pirates continue their three-game series against the Phillies on Saturday at PNC Park. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. Andrew Heaney (3-4, 3.39) will face Ranger Suarez (4-0, 2.72) on the mound.
