Pirates at Phillies
The Pittsburgh Pirates began the season 11-4 but have since seen their offense go very cold during a stretch of five losses in six games. The Pirates will try to string together some hits and avoid a four-game sweep when they visit the Philadelphia Phillies for the series finale on Sunday.
Pittsburgh scored two or fewer runs in each of its last five losses and totaled three runs in dropping the first three games to the Phillies. The Pirates finally got some production from the top third of the lineup on Saturday as Sean Rodriguez, Gregory Polanco and Starling Marte combined to go 4-for-12, but those three also accounted for five of the team's 11 strikeouts. The Phillies improved to 8-1 at home with Saturday's 6-2 triumph, moving six games over .500 behind a thriving pitching staff and a young offense led by Rhys Hoskins - who homered and drove in four runs on Saturday. Philadelphia will try to polish off the sweep behind right-hander Nick Pivetta while the Pirates counter with Trevor Williams.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, NBCS Philadelphia
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Trevor Williams (3-1, 1.93 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Nick Pivetta (1-0, 2.49)
Williams absorbed his first loss last time out, when he was reached for two runs on four hits and three walks over six innings against the Colorado Rockies in a 2-0 setback. The 25-year-old, who worked six hitless innings in his first start on April 1 at Detroit, has yet to allow more than two earned runs in an outing. Williams lost his only start against Philadelphia last season, surrendering three runs and four hits in 5 2/3 frames.
Pivetta is rolling along as well and allowed two or fewer runs in each of his last three turns. The Canada native did not factor in the decision in either of his last two turns despite holding the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves to a total of three runs in 12 frames and owns 21 strikeouts with just two walks in 21 2/3 total innings. Pivetta is making his first career start against the Phillies.
WALK-OFFS
1. Phillies CF Odubel Herrera reached base safely in 22 straight games dating back to last season.
2. Pittsburgh RHP Kyle Crick has yet to allow a run in four appearances covering 3 2/3 innings.
3. Philadelphia 1B Carlos Santana scored a pair of runs on Saturday but is batting .159.