As sharp as Paul Skenes was in limiting the Phillies to an unearned run and two hits over 7 2/3 innings in the Pirates' 2-1 win this afternoon at PNC Park, he's not one to ignore the plays that were made behind him. 

Whether it was Henry Davis and Isiah Kiner-Falefa combining to throw out Otto Kemp to end the fifth inning ... 

... or Ke'Bryan Hayes, the former Gold Glove Award winner, showing off his ability to provide Skenes-approved defense at third base ... 

... the overall performance in the field was worth admiring, especially given the small margin for error in a game in which the Pirates offense was limited to two runs or fewer for the 27th time in 66 games this season. 

"I gotta buy them a bottle of wine or something like that for some of the plays they made for me," Skenes said. "Even going back to the last game I pitched. Just gotta keep that going. I really appreciate it." 

Others made strong plays, too, for a team that, despite ranking in the bottom third of Major League Baseball in fielding percentage (22nd; .985) and errors (ninth-most; 35), ranks 10th in Defensive Runs Saved (18) and can occasionally pick it.

Jared Triolo made a sliding stop to complete a 3-1 putout in the fourth inning and a scoop to secure this throw from Nick Gonzales to complete the game-ending double play: 

It was a crucial play for Triolo, a Gold-Glove-winning utility player, to make in a big situation. Had he not reached out and snagged that low throw from Gonzales, Alec Bohm reaches and runners are on the corners with two outs for Nick Castellanos. That's a much more difficult situation for Braxton Ashcraft to navigate in his fourth career big-league appearance. 

"In those close ballgames, you definitely have to play good defense. You can kind of saw it in the ninth, when Braxton came in," Triolo said. "You look around our defense and everybody’s pretty solid. We take a lot of pride in it and put a lot of work in, for sure.”

While his throw wasn't exactly on the money, Gonzales' part shouldn't be overlooked. He didn't speed up in a high-pressure situation with the rain coming down more rapidly. He focused on first corralling the bouncer and made sure to step back on the bag before firing across. 

"That play that Ke' made, I don't even know how he got over there to catch it. Izzy with the tag, Henry with a strong throw down there," Don Kelly said. "Gonzo turning the inning-ending double play in the rain. Just a great team effort."

It was especially meaningful for Gonzales, considering he committed an error that allowed the Phillies to score their only run in the third inning: 

That's a double by Rafael Marchan that led to a Gonzales throw to second that appeared to ricochet off the second-base bag. It trickled far enough away that Brandon Marsh, who got things started with a one-out single, scored from third to tie, 1-1.

It was a broader showing that both Skenes and Ashcraft could appreciate. 

"Usually a lot of confidence to put the ball over the plate," Ashcraft said. "Just let the guys on the field make plays."