Phillies best first place Pirates with 3-1 win

The Phillies ended the Pirates nine game winning streak on Tuesday with a 3-1 win over the Bucs in the opener of their three game series.

A three run sixth and a strong combined effort from the starting pitching and relief helped the Phils to the win after a rough weekend in Los Angeles.

Another stellar outing for Pettibone

The young right-hander dazzled again on Tuesday, this time against the top team in baseball. Pettibone lasted 5 2/3 innings, and held Pittsburgh scoreless until a solo home run from Garrett Jones put the Pirates on the board. He allowed just the one run on three hits and struck out six in the game. Three walks contributed to a higher pitch count, which is why he was ousted in the sixth, but nonetheless he still dominated Pirates hitters.

This is Pettibone’s third straight outing of three or fewer runs, and his tenth such start of 14 this year. His ERA is once again under four, sitting at 3.99 after today’s start.

Bullpen comes through

It got dicey at times, but the bullpen was able to hold the 3-1 lead, as six pitchers combined for 3 1/3 scoreless innings. Jake Diekman, Justin De Fratus, Antonio Bastardo, and J.C. Ramirez all tossed a third of an inning, while Phillippe Aumont and Jonathan Papelbon both threw a full scoreless inning apiece.

Papelbon earned his 16th save, while all other relievers earned holds in the game.

Howard breaks slump, Delmon stays hot on road trip

Ryan Howard had been struggling badly on the road trip, with no hits in his last 22 trips to the plate. He broke out of the slump with a clutch RBI single in the sixth to give the Phillies a 1-0 lead.

Delmon Young also drove in a run with an RBI double in the Phillies’ three-run sixth. Young’s road trip has been the complete opposite of Howard’s. In seven games now on the trip for Young, he has 11 hits in 25 at bats (.440) with three doubles, a homer and nine runs batted in.

Up Next…

The Phillies will look to win the series against the Pirates as early as tomorrow. They will send lefty John Lannan to the hill, owner of a 1-2 record and 4.82 ERA. He will be opposed by fellow lefty Jeff Locke, whose start was pushed back one day. He is 7-1 with 2.06 ERA this season. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m.