Chandler Fans Career-High But Defense Lets Him Down; Pirates Fall to Jays
Photo provided by Matt Lynch Bubba Chandler shattered a career-high with 11 strikeouts but was let down by the defense as the Pittsburgh Pirates fell 6-2 to the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre on Friday. Scoring Plays Top 1st, 1-0 PIT: Nick Gonzales barely missed his first home run of the season. Instead, his double set the Pirates (26-25) up with runners on second and third for Spencer Horwitz, who hit a sacrifice fly to deep center field off Kevin Gausman (4-3).
Bottom 3rd, 3-1 TOR: George Springer scored from third on a Spencer Horwitz throwing error from first to second base. The Blue Jays (24-27) took the lead on Yohendrick Piñango’s two-run double off Bubba Chandler (1-6). Top 8th, 3-2 TOR: With runners on second and third and nobody out, pinch-hitter Bryan Reynolds drove in a run with a ground out to second base.
Bottom 8th, Jesús Sánchez doubled home a run off Dennis Santana. Later in the inning, George Springer played two more with his own two-bagger. Key Moments Trailing by two runs, the Pirates had runners in the corners with no outs in the seventh and two in scoring position with no outs in the eighth but only pushed across one run.
Player of the Game Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman held the Pirates to one run on six hits with eight strikeouts in 6. 2 innings. Stat to Know Esmerlyn Valdez became the first Pirates player to make his MLB debut outside of the United States since Will Pennyfeather made his in Montreal on June 27, 1992.
Valdez finished 0 for 3 walk. Notable Performances RHP Bubba Chandler: 5. 0 innings, two hits, three runs (one earned), three walks, 11 strikeouts, 99 pitches/63 strikes Brandon Lowe: 2 for 3, one walk, two runs Nick Gonzales: 2 for 4 one double Endy Rodríguez: 2 for 4 Noteworthy Bubba Chandler struck out a career-high 11 batters.