Connor Phillips racked up nine strikeouts over five-plus innings of three-run baseball in a tough-luck no-decision against the Pirates on Saturday.
The right-hander scattered five hits on the evening while issuing three walks. He had allowed just one run through the first five innings — an RBI single to Alfonso Rivas in the fourth inning — but ran into some trouble when he returned for the sixth. There, he allowed two singles to start the inning before turning the ball over to the bullpen — and both inherited runners ultimately scored. The 22-year-old right-hander got 13 swings and misses on 99 pitches on the night, registering a CSW of 33 percent. He’ll attempt to further improve upon his 5.66 ERA and 1.35 WHIP when he takes on the Cardinals in St. Louis on Friday.