Late-game heroics push Pittsburgh Pirates past Seattle Mariners
By Todd Boyer
Jun 21, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates short stop Jordy Mercer (10) hits a home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the second inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
The Pittsburgh Pirates wrapped up a 7-2 road trip with a 4-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday afternoon at Safeco Field. The Pirates swept the two-game series and have won a season-high six in a row to move to 48-30 on the season.
In the top of the ninth, Jordy Mercer hit an RBI single with two outs, giving the Buccos a 3-2 lead. Later, Travis Snider scored on a Yoervis Medina wild pitch, giving Mark Melancon a cushion to record his second save of the season.
The Bucs opened the game up in the fourth, when Neil Walker hit a two-run homer off Mariners ace Felix Hernandez, giving Pittsburgh a 2-0 lead. Hernandez fanned 11 Pirates in seven innings of mostly-effective work.
In the bottom of the fourth, Seattle’s Michael Saunders hit a sacrifice fly to score Raul Ibanez, cutting the Pirates lead to 2-1 with an unearned run. Pittsburgh starter Jeanmar Gomez, who was activated off the disabled list Wednesday, threw five innings of three-hit ball, striking out five.
In the bottom of the sixth, Ibanez homered off rookie reliever Justin Wilson to tie the game at 2-all. Vin Mazzaro held the Mariners (34-45) off the board in the seventh and eighth, setting up the Pirates’ late rally.
Pedro Alvarez extended his hitting streak to nine games with a 2-for-4 day. Walker and Mercer had two hits apiece.
The Pirates have Thursday off as they travel back to Pittsburgh to open a six-game homestand. The Bucs will face Milwaukee over the weekend, with first-year sensation Gerrit Cole getting his fourth MLB start Friday night at 7:05.