PNC Park — Francisco Liriano turned a shaky 1st inning into a solid start as he allowed only one run in a Pirates series-clinching victory over the Brewers 7 – 1.
The Brewers struck first in the 1st when Jean Segura singled, stole second, and scored on a Jonathan Lucroy RBI single to make it 1 – 0 after an inning. Thinks could have been worse for Liriano had it not been for Russell Martin and Andrew McCutchen.
Nori Aoki walked to start the game, but was thrown out by Martin. After the Segura single, Ryan Braun sent a ball deep to center where Cutch made a jumping catch at the wall to take away a sure double. From there, Liriano shut the Brewers down striking out 5 after the first (6 total) and allowing only four hits until he was removed for Justin Wilson with 2-out in the sixth. “It was a professional outing.” Said manager, Clint Hurdle. “We helped him in the first. The last strikeout to end the first inning helped a little bit and from the second on, his rhythm on the mound improved.”
The Pirates had a tough time trying to get to Brewers pitcher, Hiram Burgos, until the 4th when they were able to tie the game up in odd fashion. Pedro Alvarez walked with two out and proceeded to steal second (3rd SB of his career). He would then score on a Clint Barmes RBI double off the bottom of the left field wall. Ryan Braun had a chance of catching the ball, but he slowed up in fear of collision with the wall.
They would get the lead in the 5th. Starling Marte would lead the inning off with an infield single and Travis Snider would follow with a blast over the right-center field seats, off the river walk, and into the river for a 3 – 1 Pirate lead. It was his first homer since August 10th of last season. “It’s really, for me, not how far it goes, it’s just getting it over the fence.” Said Snider. “It’s been a struggle for about nine months now so just keep taking it one day at a time and invest in the routine and keep working hard.”
They wouldn’t be finished, though as they tallied 4 more in the 6th against the Brewers pen. Barmes would lead the inning off by reaching due to a Segura throwing error. He would go to third on a Marte double. The Pirates would then score by way of 4 straight RBI singles by Snider, McCutchen, Garrett Jones, and Neil Walker to make it 7 – 1.
The bullpen would take it from there as Justin Wilson, Bryan Morris, and Jose Contreras would blank the Brewers over the final 3 1/3 to lock up the victory. Pirates make it 3 in-a-row and take their fourth straight 4-game series. Final Score: Pirates 7, Brewers 1. “Figure the odds of that.” Said Hurdle. “Lose the first game and win the next three, okay. You do it for a second series, alright. You do it a third series and a fourth series that’s kinda’ crazy, but that’s the beauty of going out and playing the game. You gotta go play it on the field.”
Starters Lines:
Liriano (Win): 5 2/3 IN, 1 R, 1 ER, 6 H, 3 BB, 7 K’s, 1 WP. 98 Pitches (62 Strikes)
Burgos (Loss): 5 IN, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K’s, 1 HP, 1 HR. 85 Pitches (57 Strikes)
Tomorrow’s Starters:
(RHP) Jeanmar Gomez (PIT) 2 – 0, 2.28 ERA
(RHP) Jordan Lyles (HOU) 1 – 1, 8.36 ERA
The Pirates will be back to action tomorrow night against the Houston Astros in interleague play. First pitch is set for 7:05.
(Photo Credit: Gene J. Puskar)
