Pittsburgh Pirates Down Giants Behind Francisco Liriano’s Latest Strong Start
Don’t look now, butFrancisco Lirianomay have returned to his 2013 form.
Liriano [3-7] threw seven innings allowing four hits and striking out 11 San Francisco Giants as part of a 3-1 victory Tuesday night.
The performance earned Liriano his third victory of the season and his second consecutive seven inning start. His effort also lowered his ERA to 1.96 for July. ManagerClint Hurdlecalled it Liriano’s best outing of the season.
“Everything was working tonight,” Liriano said to thePittsburgh Tribune-Review. “I was getting better location as the game went on. Pitching’s all about location.”
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The Pirates [57-49] once again scored their runs early in the game and all of them were scored via the home run.Josh Harrisonstruck first in the first inning on a 3-2 count off ofTim Hudson[8-8] for his eighth homer of the season.
In the top of the second inning,Ike Davisreached base on an infield single to third base.Travis Sniderthen made the Giants [57-50] pay with a second home run, almost exactly where Harrison’s landed on a 1-2 pitch to make the score 3-0 Pirates.
Liriano did surrender a lead off homer toMichael Morsein the bottom of the second inning but recovered to strike out the next three batters to end the inning.
Tony Watsonpitched the eighth inning and earned his 25th hold of the season. He surrendered a hit but got a double play to end the inning.Mark Melanconpitched the ninth inning to get his 20th save. Melancon allowed a hit but struck out two batters, including former PirateTravis Ishikawato end the game.
Charlie Morton[5-10 3.40 ERA] hopes to pitch the Pirates to a sweep as he facesTim Lincecum[9-7 3.96 ERA] on Thursday at 3:40 p.m. Eastern. In his past three seasons, Morton is 2.1 with a 1.99 ERA against the Giants.