Despite Tommy Pham hitting .440 over his last seven games, Don Kelly pinch-hit Adam Frazier to face right-hander Phil Maton in the eighth inning of a tie game tonight at PNC Park and it paid off.
Frazier doubled down the right-field line for the Pirates' third of four hits, moved Ke'Bryan Hayes to third and set up Henry Davis' eventual game-winning sacrifice fly in the Pirates' 1-0 win over the Cardinals, their fifth straight.
“Extremely tough call," Kelly said afterward. "Tommy’s been swinging to the well. We just liked the matchup with Fraz’ better and, you know, he was able to come through with a huge hit.”
Frazier was 2 for 6 with two strikeouts against Maton coming into tonight. Pham was 0 for 5 with one walk and one strikeout against him, but has slashed .300/.375/.500 over his last 15 games with two home runs and 12 RBIs.
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
THE ASYLUM
Greg Macafee
3:15 am - 07.02.2025NORTH SHOREKelly's 'tough call' pays off
Despite Tommy Pham hitting .440 over his last seven games, Don Kelly pinch-hit Adam Frazier to face right-hander Phil Maton in the eighth inning of a tie game tonight at PNC Park and it paid off.
Frazier doubled down the right-field line for the Pirates' third of four hits, moved Ke'Bryan Hayes to third and set up Henry Davis' eventual game-winning sacrifice fly in the Pirates' 1-0 win over the Cardinals, their fifth straight.
“Extremely tough call," Kelly said afterward. "Tommy’s been swinging to the well. We just liked the matchup with Fraz’ better and, you know, he was able to come through with a huge hit.”
Frazier was 2 for 6 with two strikeouts against Maton coming into tonight. Pham was 0 for 5 with one walk and one strikeout against him, but has slashed .300/.375/.500 over his last 15 games with two home runs and 12 RBIs.
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
We’d love to have you!