James McDonald fades in fifth inning as Pirates lose
Both the Pirates and San Diego Padres provided a lot of offense, but it was the Padres who would prevail.
James McDonald had a solid outing but his fifth inning not only ruined a sure win for him but also brought the Padres back in the game.
McDonald would have a hiccup on the second pitch of the game allowing Alexi Amarista to round the bases for his fifth homer of the season.
Both McDonald and the Pirates would recover.
The Pirates starting scoring in the top of the second when a Starling Marte single scored Clint Barmes.
The Pirates would extend their lead to 2-1 the next inning when Jones hit a solo homerun into right field.
The Pirates piled onto the delight of their fans in the bottom of the fourth inning. Travis Snider would hit a three run home run which just cleared the centerfield seats and onto the Riverwalk. The homer was Snider’s first as a Pirates and the 800th the team has hit at PNC Park.
The Pirates would score two more runs in the inning to take a 7-1 lead on a single from Pedro Alvarez.
This should have been more than enough for James McDonald, but he would walk a batter with one out in the fifth inning but then allowed six consecutive base runners.
Jesus Guzman made his pinch hitting appearance count as his double would score Cameron Maybin and John Baker to pull the Padres within four runs.
Amerista, the next batter would single to add another run before the big blow a three run bomb from Chase Headley to tie the game.
This would be the end of the line for McDonald who would be taken out after 4 1/3 innings. He threw 87 pitches and the fifth inning did him in. His mound opponent Edinson Volquez last 3 1/3 innings and threw 91 pitches. It was not either’s game on this day.
All appeared to be forgotten as Chris Resop provided two solid hitless innings of relief and a Rod Barajas RBI single in the sixth inning gave the Pirates an 8-7 lead.
With the lead and Tony Watson on the mound, Headley came to the plate and much like Kubel Wednesday, he connected for a homer, this time a two run blast. Headley homered from both sides of the plate on this game.
The Padres were able to keep the lead and set the Pirates down in order in the bottom of the ninth although closer Huston Street limped off the field following the final out.
Winning Pitcher: Brad Brach (1-2)
Losing Pitcher: Tony Watson (5-2)
Save: Huston Street (21)
MVP: Chase Headley 2-4 2 HR 5 RBI
LVP: Neil Walker 0-5 K
Up Next: Saturday August 10 San Diego Padres @ Pittsburgh Pirates 7:05 PM EST
Jason Marquis 7-10 (5.47 ERA) vs AJ Burnett (14-3 3.19 ERA)
Of note: Pirates vs Marquis-
Andrew McCutchen 5-15 4 XBH (3 2B, 1 3B), 4 RBI
Neil Walker 5-7 2 RBI
Clint Barmes 0-11