Pirates escape Diamondbacks late comeback 6-5 in the Desert

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) - The Pirates bend but don't break in a 6-5 thriller against the Diamondbacks.

Arizona scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to open up the scoring against Mitch Keller. Keller pitched seven innings and allowed two runs on two hits. He struck out six in his no decision.

"Mitch was really good, the ability to execute the sweeper was really elite. He kept a really good offense at bay," said manager Derek Shelton.

Diamondbacks starter Yilber Diaz was yanked after five innings of shutout baseball and seven strikeouts. Lefty Joe Mantiply entered the game in the top of the sixth to face Oneil Cruz. Cruz cranked one 408 feet into the right field seats to get the Pirates on the board.

In the top of the ninth, Rowdy Tellez pinched hit and ripped a double to right field to get the tying run in scoring position. Then with two outs and the tying run on second base, Joey Bart hit a line drive off Diamondback closer Paul Sewald to right field, bringing home the tying run.

Jared Triolo would make a diving catch in the bottom of the ninth inning after he was placed in right field, sending the game to extras.

"He hadn't played right field since college. He played center field for a bit in the minor leagues," said Shelton. "The kid's a baseball player and made a really nice play."

The Pirates loaded the bases with nobody out in the top of the tenth inning, putting them in great position to score multiple runs. Andrew McCutchen grounded out to shortstop Geraldo Perdomo, who threw the ball home to erase the runner at the plate. Originally the call was safe but after review, they ruled Triolo out.

With the bases still loaded, Diamondbacks pitcher Justin Martinez threw a wild pitch between the legs of catcher Jose Herrera to break the tie. After that wild pitch, they put Oneil Cruz on by way of an intentional walk to load the bases again. Martinez drilled Alika Williams with a pitch to bring home another run, giving the Pirates a 4-2 lead.

Josh Palacios grounded into a fielders choice out at home, keeping the game a two run Pirates lead. With the bases still loaded, Ke'Bryan Hayes singled to left field, scoring two runs and gave the Pirates a 6-2 lead headed to the bottom of the tenth.

"Huge hit, big hit by Key, I mean he had better at bats today but that's a game changer for us right there," said Shelton.

The bottom of the tenth was anything but easy. Colin Holderman entered the game with a four run lead. Eugenio Suarez immediately got Arizona on the board with a two run home run to left field. The play was reviewed for fan interference but not enough evidence was shown to overturn the call.

After recording back to back outs, Lourdes Gurriel pinched hit for Herrera and homered to left field, cutting the Pirate lead to just one run. Corbin Carroll then ripped a triple to right field putting the tying run 90 feet away from home.

Holderman was able to compose himself and get the final out when he got Perdomo to bounce out to first base to end the game.

"I think this is our biggest victory. To comeback with where we're at, the way Mitch pitched, just to continue to grind through it, to be down to two strikes, and then at the end Holdy had to battle through it. We were able to get the final out which was really important," said Shelton.

Paul Skenes takes the mound against the Astros in Houston Monday night at 8:10. Our coverage on the Fan starts at 7:10 with the North Shore Tavern Leadoff Show presented by Pella Windows. The Pirates are 53-52 and two game back from the third Wild Card spot with the trade deadline less than 48 hours away.