PITTSBURGH (AP) — In a tightly contested matchup on Friday night, the Pittsburgh Pirates triumphed over the Los Angeles Angels with a score of 1-0. Jared Jones showcased his pitching prowess, throwing six strong innings, while Jake Mangum contributed with a crucial RBI double in the second inning.
The Angels, currently sitting at the bottom of the MLB standings with a record of 53-88, have now suffered their tenth defeat in eleven games. Conversely, the Pirates are experiencing a resurgence, having won five of their last six games, highlighting a significant turnaround in their performance.
Jones, who improved his season record to 3-6, delivered an impressive outing, allowing just three hits while striking out nine batters and walking one. This victory marked his first win in eight starts, the last being against the Cleveland Guardians on July 18. His efficiency was evident as he threw 63 of his 91 pitches for strikes, effectively keeping the Angels' offense at bay.
Following Jones, Wilber Dotel pitched two innings, and Mason Montgomery closed out the game with a perfect ninth inning, completing the four-hitter and securing the Pirates' ninth shutout of the season. Montgomery earned his ninth save, further solidifying the team's strong bullpen performance.
On the other side of the diamond, Ryan Johnson was the hard-luck loser for the Angels, allowing just one run and four hits over six innings. He recorded six strikeouts and two walks, maintaining a commendable 1.67 ERA over his last six starts, during which he has allowed one run or fewer in five of those outings. Despite his efforts, the Angels were unable to capitalize on their scoring opportunities.
A notable highlight for the Pirates was the return of prized rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin, who had been sidelined since July 6 due to surgery for a torn tendon in his left ring finger. Griffin made an immediate impact upon his return, scoring the game's only run after reaching first base and advancing on Mangum’s one-out double to right field.
The Angels attempted to rally in the second inning with back-to-back singles, but Jones demonstrated his skill by striking out both Jose Siri and Adam Frazier after getting Christian Moore to foul out. This shutout marked the twelfth time this season that the Angels have been blanked, underscoring their struggles at the plate.
Looking ahead, the Angels will send left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, who holds a 0-5 record with a 5.65 ERA, to the mound against the Pirates' right-hander Braxton Ashcraft, who boasts a 14-5 record and a 3.59 ERA. This matchup will take place on Saturday night as the teams continue their series.
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