The Pittsburgh Pirates (37-39) defeated the Tampa Bay Rays (37-40) 4-3 on Saturday afternoon in Pittsburgh. The win snaps Tampa Bay's winning streak at three games.
The Rays scored in the top of the first when Brandon Lowe scored on a groundout from Josh Lowe. The Pirates answered with a solo homer from Oneil Cruz in the bottom of the first, before getting three runs in the third off Zach Eflin (3-5, 4.20).
All told Eflin finished the game allowing four earned runs on five hits in seven innings in which he struck out six and walked one. That would prove to be enough, as the Rays offense added one in the fourth and another in the ninth but could not overcome and Pittsburgh would earn the 4-3 win.
The Rays will now try to take the series from the Pirates when the two teams meet in the series finale on Sunday afternoon. Aaron Civale (2-5, 5.42) will get the start for the Rays opposed by Paul Skenes (4-0, 2.29) for the Pirates. First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 PM - pregame coverage begins with Chris Adams-Wall hosting This Week In Rays Baseball at high noon on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES