Paul Skenes, Braxton Ashcraft hurl Pirates to sweep of Phillies

Paul Skenes and rookie Braxton Ashcraft combined to allow just one run on three hits and lead the host Pittsburgh Pirates to a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday afternoon.
Pittsburgh won its third in a row and swept a series for the first time this season while handing the Phillies their fifth consecutive loss and ninth in their past 10 games.
The Pirates swept the Phillies in Pittsburgh for the first time since 2015.
Oneil Cruz drew a walk from Philadelphia starter Christopher Sanchez (5-2) to begin the bottom of the eighth. Orion Kerkering replaced Sanchez on the mound. Cruz then stole second — his 23rd stolen base of the season — and scored the eventual winning run on a broken-bat single to right by Andrew McCutchen.
The Pirates loaded the bases with two outs after Nick Gonzales walked and Adam Frazier was hit on the right knee by a pitch. Frazier left the game and was replaced by Alexander Canario.
Pittsburgh couldn’t add on as Ke’Bryan Hayes struck out.
Ashcraft (1-0) surrendered a one-out double to Trea Turner in the ninth and intentionally walked Kyle Schwarber. But after a mound visit, Ashcraft needed only one pitch to induce a game-ending ground ball to short from Alec Bohm that the Pirates turned into a 4-3 double play.
Skenes did not factor in the decision, but delivered another stellar start, allowing one run on two hits and one walk while striking out seven over 7 2/3 innings and 97 pitches.
Sanchez gave up two runs on six hits and two walks and struck out nine over seven innings and 100 pitches.
The Pirates took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second when Hayes singled and Jared Triolo doubled to center.
The Phillies tied the game in the top of the third on a double by Rafael Marchan, which scored Brandon Marsh after he singled with one out.
McCutchen, Hayes and Triolo each had two hits.