The Philadelphia Phillies dropped their fifth straight game Sunday, falling 2-1 to the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. The Pirates completed a three-game sweep, with Andrew McCutchen’s go-ahead single in the eighth sealing the win and sending the Phillies to their ninth loss in ten games.
Paul Skenes dominated on the mound for Pittsburgh, holding Philadelphia to just one unearned run over 2/3 innings and lowering his ERA to.88. He racked up seven strikeouts and allowed only two hits before Braxton Ashcraft came in to secure his first major league win. Jared Triolo gave the Pirates an early lead with an RBI double in the second inning.
Phillies starter Cristopher Sánchez pitched well, striking out nine and allowing two runs over seven innings, but the offense continued to sputter. The Phillies have scored just one run in four of their last five games and are hitting .189 during their recent 10-game slide.
Next up, the Phillies return home to face the Cubs, with Zack Wheeler set to start Monday. The Pirates open a series against the Marlins, sending Mike Burrows to the mound.