Pittsburgh Pirates vs Philadelphia Phillies Box Score on Jul 04, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Jul 4, 2017

PHILADELPHIA -- Jameson Taillon struck out a career-high nine in five scoreless innings, and Andrew McCutchen homered twice to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 3-0 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday.

Taillon improved to 5-2 with a team-best 2.73 ERA. He extended his scoreless streak to 11 1/3 innings in his fifth start since his return to baseball after recovering from surgery to treat testicular cancer.

Pirates lefty Felipe Rivero notched his fourth save of the season, allowing the tying run to reach the plate in the ninth inning but finally getting Freddy Galvis to strike out looking to end the game.

Pittsburgh rebounded after being blanked on Monday night for the first time since May 30.

The Pirates opened the scoring in the top of the third with a sacrifice fly by John Jaso. Pittsburgh loaded the bases with one out after Phillies starter Mark Leiter Jr. walked Adam Frazier, hit Josh Harrison and gave up a line-drive single to McCutchen. Jaso popped out to center, scoring Frazier, but Harrison was caught trying to tag from third to end the inning.

McCutchen, the reigning National League Player of the Month whose name keeping popping up in trade rumors, continues to swing a hot bat. He sent a pair of solo home runs over the left field fence in the sixth and the eighth for his 14th career multi-homer game. He has 16 homers on the year.

Leiter, making his first career start at Citizens Bank Park, fell to 1-1 this season but lowered his ERA to 4.08. He worked 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs, striking out five and giving up four hits. He was lifted in the top of the sixth in favor of Luis Garcia after giving up the first solo home run to McCutchen and plunking David Freese, his second hit batter of the game.

Philadelphia threatened to get on the board in the bottom of the first inning. Galvis, who continues to swing a hot bat, doubled to right and later swiped third base. But, the Phillies failed to get Galvis home with one out.

The Phillies stranded three runners on third base in the first four innings against the Pirates, constantly threatening but not capitalizing on their opportunities in leaving 11 on base.

Philadelphia threatened a comeback in the bottom of the seventh, loading the bases with one out for outfielder Aaron Altherr. Pirates reliever Juan Nicasio got Altherr to ground into an inning-ending double play to quell the rally attempt.

The game entered a rain delay as a quick, heavy burst swept through in the bottom of the eighth inning. Play resumed 22 minutes later.

The rubber match between the teams is set for Wednesday night. Righty Gerrit Cole (6-7, 4.51 ERA) will take the mound for the Pirates against Phillies rookie righty Ben Lively (1-3, 3.72 ERA).

NOTES: Pirates OF Andrew McCutchen earned his NL monthly honor after hitting .411 with six home runs and 23 RBIs in June. ... Phillies RHP Pat Neshek was selected to the NL team for the All-Star Game. Thirty-three of his 35 appearances this season have been scoreless ... This is the first time the Pirates played on July 4 in Philadelphia since the teams played a doubleheader on Independence Day in 1963.