Pittsburgh Pirates defeat Philadelphia Phillies in comeback fashion

Apr 24, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Wandy Rodriguez (51) talks with catcher Russell Martin (55) during the fourth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Down 3-1 due to a solid pitching performance from Philadelphia Phillies starter Roy Halladay, the Pittsburgh Pirates battled against Antonio Bastardo and Mike Adams before breaking through to win 5-3.

The Phillies got off to a quick start when second baseman Chase Utley hit a solo shot, his fourth of the season off Pirates starter Wandy Rodriguez. The ball landed in the second deck.

Halladay had his strikeout pitch working as he got eight punch outs. In his six innings on the mound, he had one blemish and that was the only hit he allowed on the mound. Having walked Garrett Jones and hitting Neil Walker with a pitch in the fourth inning, Pedro Alvarez hit a single into shallow center field. This would plate Jones and even the game.

This did not last long as Ryan Howard homered, another solo shot, his second of the year. This homer also landed in the second deck. The Phillies padded the lead to two runs. Ben Revere reached base on an infield single and later scored when Kevin Frandsen singled. Frandsen was on to pinch hit for Halladay and this hit removed Rodriguez from the game. He had thrown 105 pitches in 5 2/3 innings.

Following this, the Phillies were prepared to turn to their usual end of the game routine: Bastardo, Adams and closer Jonathan Papelbon but they were unable to get there.

Bastardo faced Alvarez in a lefty on lefty match up and it was batter over pitcher this time. Alvarez hit his fourth homer of the season on a 1-2 count cutting the lead to one.

Still up one, the Phillies sent Adams out to the mound, and he failed to record an out. Pinch hitter Jose Tabata walked and Starling Marte reached on an infield single. That brought up Travis Snider. On the first pitch he intended to bunt but did not. Phillies catcher Humberto Quintero tried to throw out Tabata at second but narrowly missed. On the next pitch, Snider singled and the game was tied. Still there were no outs and runners on first and third.

Adams stayed in to face Andrew McCutchen however, he walked as well loading the bases and forcing Manager Charlie Manuel to make a pitching change, bringing in the lefty Jeremy Horst.

Horst first faced Brandon Inge who pinch hit for Jones. Inge was able to single giving the Pirates the lead while the bases remained loaded. Inge flashed a quick Zoltan following the hit. Still, Horst limited the damage to one run after Walker grounded into a double play and Alvarez grounded out to Utley.

Mark Melancon pitched the eighth and gave up a hit, however Revere grounded into a double play to end the threat.

Horst stayed in to pitch the eighth. Clint Barmes had a one out single and after Tabata moved him to second, Marte was up. Marte hit a bloop that Utley mishandled. Barmes scored easily and despite two outs, Marte motored to third base on the play, where he was stranded.

Jason Grilli again came in to close the ninth and hit pinch hitter Ezequiel Carrera with one out in the inning. Still Grilli enduced a big foul out from Rollins before striking out Utley to get his league leading ninth save. Vin Mazzaro picked up his first win as a Pirate. Mazzaro relieved Rodriguez pitching 1 1/3 innings and needed just 11 pitches to do so.

The Pirates try to take three of four from the Phillies tomorrow. James McDonald (2-2 4.12) faces Cliff Lee (2-1 2.83) and the game is set to begin at 1:05 ET.