The Pirates’ Paul Skenes and the Cubs’ Shota Imanaga were locked in a big-time pitchers’ duel Saturday night, but Skenes suddenly fell apart in the fifth inning, and the Bucs were embarrassed in front of a sellout crowd.
Joe Block has the disappointing story.
The series concludes this afternoon. Braxton Ashcraft (9-4, 3.95 ERA) pitches for the Pirates against former Bucco Jameson Taillon (2-5, 5.38 ERA). Coverage begins with Pirates Insider, with general manager Ben Cherington, at 12:35. First pitch is at 1:35.
REHAB NEWS
Pirates catcher Endy Rodriguez began a rehab assignment with AAA Indianapolis on Friday, going 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI in a 6-3 loss at Lehigh Valley. He was not in the lineup for the Indians in a 9-0 win last night, a victory highlighted by winning pitcher Antwone Kelly’s five no-hit innings. Rodriguez was placed on the injured list on July 8th, retroactive to July 6th, with a left glute strain.
First baseman Spencer Horwitz (hamstring) continued his rehab stint with Class A Bradenton last night, going 1-for-2 with a home run and a walk in a 7-5 win over Dunedin. Reliever Chris Devenski, out since May with an undisclosed illness, was the winning pitcher for Bradenton after pitching a scoreless fifth inning.
