Pittsburgh Pirates Score Three In Ninth To Earn Rare Win In Milwaukee
May 3, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Starling Marte (6) singles against the Toronto Blue Jays during the seventh inning at PNC Park. The Pirates won 8-6. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Wins don’t come easily for the Pittsburgh Pirates in Milwaukee, so what they did Wednesday night was rather shocking.
Light-hittingChris Stewartsingled in the go-ahead run in the ninth inning against Brewers ace relieverFrancisco RodriguezandStarling Marteadded two more with a double, earning a 4-1 victory for the Pirates at Miller Park.
Pittsburgh, which lost 5-2 in the series opener Tuesday, is still 2-7 against the National League Central-leading Milwaukee, including 1-4 in Milwaukee. However, the Pirates (17-22) are now in position to sneak out of Wisconsin with a series win.
Francisco Lirianohad a lot to do with Wednesday’s result, as the Bucs lefty threw six innings of one-run ball while striking out seven.Bryan Morris,Tony WatsonandMark Melanconfollowed up with scoreless frames out of the bullpen, a welcome sight in an difficult early-season stretch for Pirates relievers.
Brewers starterWily Peraltadid Liriano one better, tossing seven innings and limiting the Pirates toJose Tabata‘s run-scoring fielder’s choice in the fourth. Jeff Biachi’s sacrifice fly knotted the score in the fifth; a pair of double plays started by third basemanPedro Alvarezhelped keep Milwaukee (25-15) from adding on.
In the top of the ninth,Ike DavisandJordy Mercerrapped back-to-back singles off Rodriguez with one out. Pirates managerClint Hurdlepinch-ranClint Barmesfor the plodding Davis, and the move paid off when Stewart lined a hit to center field. The play at the plate was close enough to justify using Barmes, who ended up playing first base in the bottom half.
Before that, though, Marte launched a high breaking ball from Rodriguez over center fielderElian Herrera‘s head and over the wall to make it 4-1 Pittsburgh. After Melancon danced around a two-out single from Bianchi, the Pirates had broken a two-game losing streak.
Alvarez and Ike Davis had two hits each for Pittsburgh; McCutchen reached twice and scored the Bucs’ first run after walking and advancing to third on Alvarez’ single.Khris Davisanswered back with a leadoff double in the fifth off Liriano, then moved to third on an error by Davis at first base.
Now winners of seven of 11, the Pirates sendWandy Rodriguezoff the disabled list and to the mound for Thursday’s 1 p.m. Eastern time start. The lefty will opposeYovani Gallardo.