PHOENIX -- The Pirates' approach to taking down a Cy Young candidate and one of the National League's most dominant pitchers over the last two seasons was the inverse of the conservative looks given during the mid-week series at Los Angeles.
In the opener of the final series prior to the All-Star break, going after NL wins leader Zac Gallen backfired. He coasted through seven innings while not allowing a walk and showing precise command of the strike zone as the Pirates dropped the opener to their three-game set to the Diamondbacks, 7-3 at Chase Field Friday night.