PITTSBURGH -- In describing his mindset on the mound, Tyler Glasnow often refers to various modes of pitching. When he's at his best, he's typically in "competitive mode." After a rough first inning at Wrigley Field on Saturday, he entered "do-whatever's-necessary mode" and finished with four strong frames.
The way he pitched for 4 2/3 innings in the Pirates' 6-3 win over the Yankees on Friday night at PNC Park? That was "survival mode," Glasnow said. His timing felt off, and he didn't have his best stuff.
"The biggest thing is you've got to brush all the stuff aside and compete," said Glasnow, sniffling and clearing his throat in his postgame interview as he battled the bug that's gone around the Pirates' clubhouse. "It didn't matter if you have your timing or you don't feel good. You've got to do what you've got to do."
Glasnow, the Bucs' No. 1 prospect per MLBPipeline.com, gave up three runs, but only one of them was earned. He allowed seven hits and walked two while striking out five. He threw a first-pitch strike to 14 of the 24 hitters he faced, but he fell into six three-ball counts. He retired eight batters on three pitches or fewer, but Yankees pitcher Carsten Sabathia accounted for two of those.
"There's a lot of wins for him to pick up," Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said, "and a lot of areas to improve."
Both were on display in the first inning. Jacoby Ellsbury was at second base, putting two men in scoring position, because he easily stole the bag. Ellsbury stole another off Glasnow and Francisco Cervelli in the third inning.
Still, Glasnow minimized the damage. Plagued by big first innings in two starts to begin the season, he stranded the two runners in scoring position by striking out Aaron Judge on a low, 95.4-mph fastball.
"I like the fight," Hurdle said. "The one thing that's still going to continue to get his attention is controlling the running game. They're just free bases. … That puts runners in scoring position, and there's not a whole lot of work involved to get there."
But Glasnow delivered strikeouts when he needed them most. With two men on in the third inning, Glasnow got Greg Bird to whiff at a curveball for the final out.
"He's definitely making strides in the right direction. Definitely competed his tail off tonight," first baseman Josh Bell said. "Sky's the limit for that kid. We'll see where he takes it from here."
Glasnow said his offspeed pitches were "not spectacular," but getting better each time out. The rookie right-hander called his curveball "decent" on Friday.
"I had it when I needed it," he said. "That's all I can ask for."
The Yankees pulled within a run with two outs in the fifth, when Bird hit a grounder past shifted second baseman Josh Harrison. Glasnow had thrown 102 pitches, and Hurdle called upon reliever Juan Nicasio to end the inning. The Bucs' bullpen took over from there, firing 4 1/3 scoreless innings to preserve the lead.

Glasnow didn't get the win, but with early run support and late-inning relief, "survival mode" was enough.
"I wanted to go in and give my team a chance to win," Glasnow said. "I'm glad that we ended up coming out with a W and getting by."