Francisco Liriano struck out a season-high 13 batters without issuing a walk as the pirates beat the Milwaukee Brewers 5-3 Thursday.
Matt Joyce hit a three-run homer in the first inning, and later added an RBI groundout. Gregory Polanco had two hits. Andrew McCutchen went 2 for 3 to snap out of a 1-for-16 slump.
The Pirates start a weekend series with the Phillies tonight.
Gerritt Cole makes his second start since returning from the DL with a right triceps strain. He allowed five runs in four innings in a loss to Washington on Saturday.
Zack Eflin takes the mound for the Phillies tonight. He’s 2-3 with a 4.14ERA.
You can hear tonight’s game on 1490 WESB. The pre-game show starts at 6:40 p.m.
On Thursday, the Phillies got hammered by the Miami Marlins 9-3. The Marlins had 16 hits.
Ryan Howard and Freddy Galvis homered for Philadelphia.