PNC Park — In a season series that has been high scoring, tonight’s matchup turned out to be a pitcher’s duel as Wandy Rodriguez and Yovani Gallardo combined for only 3 earned runs as the Pirates squeaked out a 3 – 1 victory.
Rodriguez worked his way out of a couple of jams in the 3rd and 4th innings. In the 3rd, he had first and second before getting Aramis Ramirez to fly out to end the inning. He would, then, allow a lead-off triple by Jonathan Lucroy in the 4th, but got two pop-ups and an Alex Gonzalez groundout to end that threat. “I used my breaking ball in that situation and it was good for me that I got two infield popups.” Said Rodriguez.
His only blemish would be in the 7th when Ricky Weeks hit a solo-shot into the upper- right field bleachers for the Brewers only run. “He picked it up and laid it down for us and then he battled from start to finish. Good 3-pitch mix. The curveball, the changeup, the fastball to both sides. He was very aggressive and the only tarnish mark was the first-pitch changeup to weeks.” Said manager, Clint Hurdle. “It was the start we needed, he pitched a little bit better than their guy and their guy was pretty good.”
The Pirates were able to break onto the scoreboard in the top of that inning when Starling Marte led off with a double. He would advance to third on a wild pitch setting up a walk for Andrew McCutchen. McCutchen would then steal second easily opening up first base, yet again, for Gallardo to pitch around Gaby Sanchez to load the bases.
Neil Walker would then come up and make Gallardo pay with a 2-RBI single to put the Pirates up for good. The score after seven would be 2 – 1 Buccos. “It’s another one of those games where we scratch and claw and take advantage of the opportunities that we had.” Said Walker. “We had two great at bats by Cutch and Gaby and I was able to take advantage of a pitch out over the plate.”
The Pirates would add insurance in the 8th. Travis Snider hit a 1-out pinch-hit single, then moved to second on a wild pitch. Cutch would hit a grounder to third where Snider would get caught in a rundown allowing Cutch to reach second, he would then steal third. Gaby Sanchez would then walk and Neil Walker would ground to Weeks, who made a lunging grab but was off on the throw allowing Walker to reach and Cutch to score. 3 – 1 Pirates.
The duo of Mark Melancon and Jason Grilli (Save #16) would then come in to shut the Brewers down over the final 2 innings to the count of 3 strikeouts and no hits. Final Score: Pirates 3, Brewers 1.
Starters Lines:
Rodriguez (Win 4 – 2): 7 IN, 1 R, 1 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 5 K’s, 1 HR. 97 Pitches (63 Strikes)
Gallardo (Loss 3 – 3): 6 IN, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 H, 4 BB, 5 K’s, 1 WP. 97 Pitches (54 Strikes)
Tomorrow’s Starters:
(LHP) Francisco Liriano (PIT): 1 – 0, 1.69 ERA
(RHP) Hiram Burgos (MIL): 1 – 1, 6.86 ERA
These two will meet for the final game of the 4-game set tomorrow night at 7:05.
(Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)
