The Pirates led St. Louis by just a half-game as they tried to prevent falling into last place in the NL Central last night. The Bucs put a little distance between themselves and the Cardinals with a win at PNC Park. Here’s Joe Block.
Manager Derek Shelton says the win was important for the Pirates, especially since he got nine innings from Thomas Hatch and Bailey Falter.
With about 40 members of the Palacios family in the stands watching Joshua play for the Pirates and his brother Richie play for the Cardinals, Shelton says it was a special night.
Joshua Palacios said this game, with his brother on the other side, was even bigger than his 28th birthday game, when he hit a walkoff 10th inning home run.
Palacios was in right field for the Pirates because rookie Henry Davis had been placed on the 10-day injured list earlier in the day with a hand injury, which he said was a jammed thumb suffered while sliding into a base. Infielder Vinny Capra was recalled from Indianapolis to replace Davis on the roster.
If you have tickets for the Altoona Curve’s game on Saturday night, you’re in for a treat. The Pirates have promoted top overall draft pick Paul Skenes to the Curve and he will likely make the start for Altoona Saturday against Akron. In three appearances since being drafted, Skenes has allowed one hit and walked none, giving up no runs in four innings, most recently with Low-A Bradenton.
The Curve start their series with Akron tonight, with left-hander Nick Dombkowski on the mound.
