PNC Park– Brandon Cumpton did what was asked of him as he went 5+ innings while only giving up three runs. The Pirate offense did the same, as Travis Snider hit a game tying homer with one out in the ninth to force extras, but in the end, the Dodgers would pull it out in extras, 5 – 3.
Cumpton’s first time through the Dodger lineup was nearly perfect as Cumpton struck the first four and finished the first three innings with five knockouts and one walk (to Kershaw). The highlight, for him, was the first inning when he struck out the side; “I was trying to throw strikes early, throw strikes with everything I had and I got some swing and misses and that helped me out a little bit.”
After the amazing start to his day, he was able to take it in a little during the Pirates half of the inning;”I had everything running through my mind. I was just trying to take it all in and just enjoy the moment.”
The Pirates took the lead early against Clayton Kershaw as they got the lead-off man across in the first. Alex Presley started with a shot down the left field line for a double. Jordy Mercer would bunt him to third and he would score on a Russell Martin fielders choice to make it 1 – 0.
Cumpton would start getting hit the third time around as the Dodgers were able to put three up in the fifth and sixth innings. A.J. Ellis singled and was moved to second on a Kershaw sac bunt. He would then score on a Skip Schumaker single to tie things up at 1.
The Dodgers would take the lead in the sixth when Adrian Gonzalez started with a double. Hanley Ramirez would then single to set up first and third and Andre Ethier would hit an RBI single and Mark Ellis would hit a sac fly to make it 3 – 1. Cumpton wouldn’t make it out of the 6th, but Clint Hurdle said it was what he was looking for; “I thought he did a really, professional job. He came out of the chute for a guy that pitches to contact. He got swing and misses early, it had to be a thrill in the first inning for him. He did a very professional job, I’m very proud of him.”
The Buccos would get something going against the Dodger pen in the eighth. Jordy Mercer led-off with a single over the outstretched glove of Ramirez. Cutch would then work a walk to set up first and second. Gaby Sanchez would then strikeout looking, Russell Martin would do the same, but Neil Walker would come through with a RBI single to cut it to 3 – 2.
They would then be down to their final two outs against closer, Kenley Jansen, when Travis Snider sent a 2 – 2 fastball deep into the right-center field seats to tie things up and force extras.
In extras, the Pirates had a prime chance to end it when Russel Martin walked with two-out. Neil Walker would follow with a double down the right field line, but Martin would be held at third. The throw would be up the line and wouldn’t have gotten him. The Dodgers would then walk Pedro Alvarez and pinch-hitter, Michael McKenry would fly out to right on the first pitch to stop the threat.
The decision to hold Martin would be costly as the Dodgers scored twice in the top of the eleventh. Andre Ethier would lead-off with a double, advance to third on a Mark Ellis sac bunt, and score on an Uribe RBI single. Uribe would then score with two out on a Nick Punto pinch-hit double. The Pirates would get the tying run on second against Brandon League, but Cutch and Sanchez would be unable to get them in to end it. Final Score: Dodgers 5, Pirates 3 / 11
It is still unsure if Cumpton will get another shot with the Pirates, Clint Hurdle and management will discuss that over the next couple days.
These two will be at it in the rubber match of this series at 1:35 tomorrow afternoon.
Starters Lines:
Cumpton (ND): 5+ IN, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K’s. 76 Pitches (50 Strikes)
Kershaw (ND):7 IN, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 8 K’s. 113 Pitches (72 Strikes)
Tomorrow’s Starters:
(RHP) Gerrit Cole (PIT) 1 – 0, 2.84 ERA
(RHP) Zach Greinke (LAD) 3 – , 3.68 ERA
Follow Travis on Twitter @TBerardi_OVA for Pirate news and in-game updates.
(Photo Credit: Keith Srakocic / AP)
