Pittsburgh Pirates See ‘Drive For Five’ Fall Short Again, This Time In Philadelphia
Sep 8, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Russell Martin (55) rounds third on his way to scoring a run during the eighth inning of a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Pirates defeated the Phillies 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
This is getting strange.
For as well as the Pittsburgh Pirates have played in spurts this season, they have yet to win five in a row. That odd trend continued Tuesday night, when they fell 4-3 to the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park to cut their winning streak at four games.
Pittsburgh held a brief 3-2 lead afterRussell Martin‘s two-run double in the third inning Tuesday, but the Phillies scored single runs in the fifth and seventh to earn a home victory. The Pirates (75-69) have claimed four straight wins on six occasions this year, but they haven’t had a longer burst yet – and time is running out.
With 18 games remaining in the season, the Pirates maintained a slim lead over their nearest pursuers for the National League’s second wild card, the Braves and Brewers. If the Bucs manage to make the playoffs without winning five in a row, they would make MLB history: no team has done so since the wild-card era began in 1995.
Pittsburgh’s “drive for five” got off to a rocky start in Philly, as a first-inning popup by rookieMaikel Francodropped for a double behind Pirates second basemanNeil Walker, who lost the ball in the twilight. Franco came around to score onChase Utley‘s line-drive single offEdinson Volquez, putting the Phillies (67-77) up 1-0.
The Pirates responded in the second by taking advantage of a Phillies’ mistake. CatcherCarlos RuizdroppedGregory Polanco‘s two-out foul pop, and Polanco eventually drew a walk from starting pitcherDavid Buchanan.Jordy Mercerthen ripped a double into the left-field corner that barely got the speedy Polanco home from first base.
But Volquez, who seemed a bit off with his command all night, handed the lead right back in the bottom half.Freddy Galvis, filling in at shortstop for injured veteranJimmy Rollins, smacked a double off the wall in right and scored on pitcher Buchanan’s surprising single up the middle.
The pendulum swung back in the Pirates’ favor in the third whenStarling MarteandNeil Walkerearned walks ahead of Martin’s long drive overMarlon Byrdin right. Byrd fumbled with the ball long enough for Walker to sprint all the way home with two outs, putting the visitors ahead for the first time.
Marte appeared to extend the lead in the fifth, but his shot off the top of the wall in deep left-center was ruled a double upon video review; it was initially called a home run. Marte ended up stranded at third when Franco made a diving stop onAndrew McCutchen‘s sharp grounder down the third-base line.
Galvis, who went 3 for 3 on the night, blasted a solo homer to knot the game in the bottom of the fifth, taking advantage of a fat fastball from Volquez. The Phillies threatened in the sixth, but Volquez harnessed his sharp breaking ball to strand a pair of runners.
Pirates managerClint Hurdlewent to the bullpen in the seventh, perhaps spooked by Volquez’s erratic sixth inning. The right-hander struck out five, allowed six hits and walked two while tossing 92 pitches. Volquez, usually cheerful with the media, expressed displeasure with Hurdle’s decision during a post-game interview session.
Although relieverJustin Wilsonfanned two in the seventh and otherwise looked strong, Galvis hit an infield single to shortstop, stole second and scored on Franco’s grounder that squirted past first basemanIke Daviswith two outs.
Pittsburgh threatened in the ninth againstJonathan Papelbon, with Polanco tapping a leadoff single and taking second on Mercer’s bunt. However, pinch-hitterAndrew Lambobounced out andJosh Harrison– back on the field after three games off due to a sprained ankle – struck out on a pitch in the dirt to end the game.
McCutchen went 0 for 3, ending a run that saw him collect nine hits in three games. Martin and Marte had two hits each to pace the Pirates’ attack, which finished 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position.
Game 3 of the four-game set at Citizens Bank Park is scheduled for 7:05 Wednesday night.Vance Worleywill share the mound with Philadelphia’sJerome Williams.