Freddy Galvis Plays Hero as Phils Sink Pirates

Last night, the Phillies (67-76) trailed by just one run heading into the eighth inning, but pitching issues put them in a 6-1 hole to the Pirates (75-69) heading into the eighth. Though the Phils brought the game to within two at 6-4, they were unable to complete the comeback. Tonight, they were up against a tough starter in Edinson Volquez, who coming into tonight's game, posted a 4-1 record to go along with a 1.72 ERA against the Phils in his career. The Phillies looked to rookie David Buchanan to toss yet another solid outing after his early exit in his last start against the Braves.

The Game: The Phils struck first in this one in the bottom half of the opening frame. Maikel Franco hit a fly ball to right with one out and it managed to drop in between second baseman Neil Walker and right fielder Gregory Polanco. Franco made it to second with a double, hustling out of the box right when he made contact. Chase Utley followed with an RBI single to center, making it 1-0 Phils. 

David Buchanan gave up a two-out walk to Gregory Polanco in the second after Carlos Ruiz dropped a routine foul out. It came back to bite him as Jordy Mercer ripped a double to left, scoring Polanco to tie things at 1-1. 

Buchanan helped get that run back in the bottom of the second. Freddy Galvis hit a one-out double to right and Buchanan drove him in with an RBI single to center, giving the Phillies a 2-1 lead.

The Pirates wouldn't go away easily though. In the top of the third, Starling Marte drew a one-out walk and stole second during Andrew McCutchen's at-bat. Buchanan got McCutchen to go down swinging but walked Neil Walker and then gave up an two-run double to Russell Martin. Just like that, the Pirates have a 3-2 lead.

After already having a double, Freddy Galvis, not known for his offense, tied things with one swing of the bat, a solo home run to right field to tie things yet again, this time at three in the bottom of the fifth.

Fast forward to the seventh. Freddy Galvis led-off with his third hit of the night, an infield single to short. After Cesar Hernandez and Ben Revere both struck out, it was up to Maikel Franco to keep things alive. Galvis stole second during his at-bat and Franco smacked an RBI single to right field, good enough to score Galvis and give the Phillies the lead back, 4-3. 

Justin DeFratus, Ken Giles and Jonathan Papelbon didn't let another Pirate cross home plate, sealing a 4-3 win for the Phillies.

Notable Offensive Statistics:

• Maikel Franco: 2-4, 2B, R, RBI
• Freddy Galvis: 3-3, HR, 2B, 3 R, SB
• Chase Utley: 1-3, RBI, SB

Impact: David Buchanan wasn't sharp, but he did what he has done most of the year, which was keep the Phillies in the game. He threw six innings and gave up three runs, two earned. He has allowed three earned runs or less in his last 13 starts, longest streak by Phillies rookie since Bruce Ruffin 16 straight starts in 1986Freddy Galvis stole the show tonight, tallying three hits, scoring three runs, and hitting double and a homer. Maikel Franco hit second and looked more comfortable at the plate and also made a spectacular play at third to rob Andrew McCutchen of a hit in the fifth. Though his double in the first was a fluke play, Franco's single in the seventh scored the go-ahead run. He has now started five out of eight games since being called up from Triple-A. Justin DeFratus got the win after pitching a scoreless inning and Jonathan Papelbon earned his 36th save of the year. 

Up Next: The Phillies and Pirates play game three of their four-game set on Wednesday night at 7:05pm. Vance Worley (6-4, 3.05) makes his return to Philadelphia and will start for the Pirates. Jerome Williams (3-0, 2.84) gets the nod for the Philles.

Brandon Apter, Publishing Editor for Philliedelphia.com