Pirates beat the Phillies behind Ortiz's 7 scoreless

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) - Behind Luis Ortiz's seven scoreless innings, the Pirates beat the Phillies 4-1 and take the season series against them.

Ortiz improves to 5-2 and lowers his ERA to 2.57 on the season. He has made four starts this season and has not allowed more than 4 hits in a game and has only given up 3 earned runs in those starts.

Dating back to September 28 2023, Ortiz has gone 5 or more innings with 4 or fewer hits in 5 straight starts. That's the 2nd longest streak in franchise history. Francisco Liriano did it 6 straight starts.

He pitched 7 scoreless, allowed 3 hits, no runs, and struck out 2.

"It took seven shutout against that lineup. You have to be able to execute pitches and he executed all of them probably about as well as we have seen him," said Derek Shelton. "He's been good over this stretch, since he's moved into the rotation. Tonight he had everything going and kept one of the best offenses in baseball off balance."

Bryan Reynolds continues his amazing streak since the month of June. Reynolds went 2-3 in the game with a run scored and is now 11 for his last 16. He has 20 hits since July 5, that's the most in the MLB during that span. He's hitting .341 since June 1.

"Professional hitter, continues to be consistent with everything he does. All of his at bats are consistent. I'm glad Bryan Reynolds is a Pirate for a long time," said Shelton.

Andrew McCutchen opened up the scoring in the bottom of the sixth inning with a solo blast that went 431 feet. Kevin Young called it on the TV broadcast when he said "It almost feels like Andrew McCutchen is about to do something here. He's dressed like a super hero."

Oneil Cruz doubled home Nick Gonzales from first base on a line drive off the right field wall against the left handed Christopher Sanchez, to make it 2-0 Pirates headed to the seventh inning.

In the bottom of the eighth, Cruz gave the Pirates insurance with a two run blast to center field off another lefty, Matt Strahm, to make it a 4-0 Pirates lead. He is hitting .333 in the month of July.

"This kid likes the lights. I think we've seen that the last two nights. He's kind of stepped his game up, he's healthy now and I think before the break he wasn't healthy. It's been very much needed and it's fun to watch," said Shelton.

Aroldis Chapman struck out the side in the top of the 8th inning and David Bednar slammed the door in the 9th. He allowed one run on a Bryce Harper solo home run.

The Pirates improve to 50-48. They have won six straight games which is the longest active streak in the MLB and sit just a half game out of a Wild Card spot. They look to sweep the Phillies Sunday when Marco Gonzalez takes the mound vs Tyler Phillips. First pitch is at 1:35 on the Fan. The North Shore Tavern Leadoff Show kicks things off at noon and the Ben Cherington show starts at 12:35.