Pirates come back to down Marlins and complete sweep
By Larry Snyder
The Miami Marlins scored first in the final game of their three-game series at PNC Park, but it was the Pittsburgh Pirates who scored last in the bottom of the 10th to win the game 5-4 and sweep the series this week.
Russell Martin singled on a ground ball to left field that pushed Josh Harrison across the plate to improve the Bucs’ record to 70-44 and keep them in first place in the National League Central. It was Martin’s fourth game-winning hit this season at PNC Park.
Pittsburgh has won five straight games after dropping two in a row and have gone 14-5 in their last 19 games. It should also be noted that 20 of the last 28 games played by Clint Hurdle’s crew has been decided by one or two runs. The loss extended Miami’s losing streak to five games.
The Bucs offense got rolling in the bottom of the fifth when with one out Neil Walker singled, scoring Starling Marte. Pedro Alvarez singled to right field, scoring Alex Presley with still one out. On the play, Walker was out at home on a throw by right fielder Giancarlo Stanton.
Aug 8, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Russell Martin (55 center) is mobbed by teammates after driving in the game winning run against the Miami Marlins during the tenth inning at PNC Park. The Pittsburgh Pirates won 5-4 in ten innings. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
In the bottom of the seventh, Walker’s sacrifice fly to right field scored Jose Tabata with one out. Pinch-hitter Gaby Sanchez’ sacrifice fly to right field scored Starling Marte with two out. The Pirates had now brought the game even, 4-4.
Pittsburgh’s Gerrit Cole allowed four earned runs on six hits. He issued one walk and four strikeouts on 73 pitches for the afternoon. The Bucs’ ensuing rally into a tie removed the righthander from the hook and resulted in the first no-decision of his 11 major league starts.
Miami starter Jose Fernandez went five innings, giving up two earned runs on five hits while striking out five. The young righthander saw his record drop to 8-6 this season.
In the top of the first, the Marlins got on the scoreboard when with one out Stanton doubled to right field to score Christian Yelich. Then, Placido Polanco singled to center field scoring Stanton with two out.
Yelich belted a two-run home run in the top of the fifth with one-out that scored Jeff Mathis. The Marlins had built up 4-0 lead at the half-way point of the contest.
The 33,646 in attendance at PNC Park for the Thursday finale against the Marlins, was the second-largest crowd for a 12:35 p.m. weekday game in the park’s 13-year history. The largest crowd this season was 39,173 on July 13 when Pittsburgh took on the Mets.
Pittsburgh heads to Denver for a three-game series with Colorado beginning at 8:40 p.m. on Friday. The Rockies (52-63) will send lefthander Jorge De La Rosa (10-6, 3.31 ERA) to the mound while the Pirates will go with lefthander Francisco Liriano (12-4, 2.02 ERA).
The 29-year-old Liriano will be making his 17th start of the season on Friday; he has a decision in each of his first 16 starts and he has gone 6-1 in his last seven outings. The game will be broadcast on ROOT Sports Pittsburgh.
From The Clipboard: Pittsburgh has gone 24-18 in day games this season…Walker has reached base safely in 11 of his last 12 games…The Bucs have won each of their last five series played at home and are 14-5-2 overall in series played at PNC Park this season…Thursday’s game with Miami was the final regular season action against teams from the National League East division. In 2013, the Bucs have gone 20-14 against the East.