Walk-Off Win for Pirates
Lowe's 10th-Inning Walk-Off Single Lifts Pirates Past Diamondbacks 3-2, Ties Wild-Card Race
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Brandon Lowe delivered a walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th inning Monday, lifting the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 3-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to CBS Sports. The victory pulled the Pirates even with Arizona for the National League's third wild-card spot.
The win snapped a tough stretch for Pittsburgh, which has struggled for much of the season. For Arizona, it was their fifth loss in the last 15 games, Newsday reported.
Lowe's Walk-Off Ends a Tense Extra-Inning Battle
Lowe's single came in the bottom of the 10th inning, scoring the winning run in dramatic fashion. The Pirates had been tied at 2-2 heading into extras. Pittsburgh now sits level with Arizona in the wild-card race, making every remaining game critical for both clubs, according to WGAL.
The hit capped a back-and-forth game that neither team could put away in regulation. Lowe's clutch at-bat gave Pittsburgh a series-opening win and momentum heading into Tuesday's matchup.
Montgomery Escapes Bases-Loaded Jam to Save Game
Mason Montgomery was the unsung hero for Pittsburgh. He worked into serious trouble after third baseman Nick Gonzales committed an error, loading the bases for Arizona. Montgomery escaped the jam without allowing a run, preserving the tie and keeping Pittsburgh alive, per Yahoo Sports.
The relief performance was one of the key turning points of the game. Had Montgomery allowed even one run to score, the Diamondbacks would have taken a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the inning instead.
Rookie Esmerlyn Valdez Exits Early With Hand Injury
The game came with a significant cost for Pittsburgh. Promising rookie outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez left the game with a left-hand injury, according to Winnipeg Free Press. The severity of the injury has not yet been confirmed.
Valdez had been one of the brighter spots for a Pirates team still searching for consistency this season. His status heading into Tuesday's game remains uncertain, which could affect Pittsburgh's lineup options.
Pfaadt and Chandler Set to Face Off Tuesday
The two teams meet again Tuesday night in Game 2 of the series. Arizona will send Brandon Pfaadt to the mound, while Pittsburgh counters with Bubba Chandler, per CBS Sports. Both pitchers will face lineups hungry for a wild-card edge.
With both clubs now tied for the third wild-card spot, Tuesday's game carries serious weight. A split or sweep in this series could shift the NL playoff picture heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
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