Pirates lose yet another extra-inning game, drop series to Arizona
By Matt Gajtka
Aug 18, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Adam Eaton (6) doubles in two runs to win the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the sixteenth inning at PNC Park. The Diamondbacks won 4-2 in sixteen innings. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
It’s not quite panic time, but there is cause for concern regarding the 2013 Pittsburgh Pirates.
With their third extra-inning loss of the week, a 4-2 16-inning defeat to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday afternoon, the Pirates have dropped seven of their last nine games and are in danger of giving away their lead in the National League Central by late Monday.
Pittsburgh (72-51) is now just one game ahead of second-place St. Louis (71-52), with the Bucs scheduled to head west for a seven-game trip that starts Monday night in San Diego. Cincinnati (70-54) has also inserted itself into the Central conversation, climbing to within 2 1/2 games behind the Pirates.
Additionally, after losing two out of three to the Diamondbacks (64-58), the Pirates have to at least be cognizant of their lead on the second NL wild-card spot decreasing to 7 1/2 games. There are two teams (Cardinals, Reds) between Pittsburgh and Arizona, but the topic must be raised following another difficult-to-take defeat.
As happened twice in St. Louis this week, the Pirates failed to score a single run once the game got beyond regulation. In fact, Pittsburgh didn’t plate a run over the last 13 innings of Sunday’s ballgame, a shortcoming that wasted a spectacular major-league debut from lefty pitcher Kris Johnson.
Aug 18, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Russell Martin (55) reacts after making the last out of the inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the twelfth inning at PNC Park. The Diamondbacks won 4-2 in sixteen innings. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Johnson, called up to help spell a bullpen that was heavily taxed in Saturday’s blowout loss, threw five scoreless innings to give the Pirates every chance to earn their 10th walkoff victory of the season. The D-Backs finally got to Johnson in his sixth frame of work, as Adam Eaton’s two-out liner fell in center field for a two-run double.
The Pirates put two runners on in the bottom of the 16th with two outs, but with Johnson replacing outfielder Andrew Lambo on the roster, he had to hit for himself against Arizona’s J.J. Putz. Johnson struck out swinging to disappoint what was left of another sell-out crowd at PNC Park.
Pittsburgh’s best opportunity to win came in the 12th, when a Neil Walker single and walks to Jordy Mercer and Andrew McCutchen loaded the bases for Russell Martin with two outs. However, Josh Collmenter retired Martin on a popup to shallow right field to keep the game going.
Collmenter (2 1/3 innings) carried the biggest load out of the Arizona bullpen after starter Wade Miley completed his eight-inning outing. Heath Bell, Eury De La Rosa and Brad Ziegler also held the Bucs off the board in high-leverage situations.
Martin and Mercer blasted RBI doubles in the first and third innings, respectively, to support Pirates starter Charlie Morton. The tall righty allowed two runs on seven hits while going one inning fewer than his Arizona counterpart.
Morton struck out six and walked three. Pirates relievers Tony Watson (eighth, ninth) and Mark Melancon (10th) bridged the gap to Johnson, who was scheduled to start for Triple-A Indianapolis before his recall.
The Diamondbacks got both of their runs in the sixth, when Aaron Hill singled in one and Gerardo Parra pushed across another with a double-play grounder. Otherwise, Morton was near his best for most of the day, inducing 12 groundball outs to just three through the air. Miley was just as good, posting a 12-2 GB-to-FB ratio.
Arizona posted 15 hits, with Hill and Eaton getting four each. The Bucs could only muster nine in 16 innings; Mercer had a team-high three.
For the second time in a week, the Pirates will look to lefty ace Francisco Liriano as they try to snap a losing streak. San Diego starter Andrew Cashner will oppose Monday night at Petco Park. First pitch is set for 10:05 Eastern time.