[July 24, 2014]PITTSBURGH -- Francisco Liriano has
been nowhere near the ace he was last year, when he won 16 games and
helped lead the Pittsburgh Pirates on a magical run to their first
winning season and postseason berth since 1992.
However, the left-hander got a win Wednesday night, and that has
to be considered progress.
Liriano won for just the second time in 17 starts this season and
Josh Harrison's two-run double capped a four-run first inning as the
Pirates beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-1.
Liriano (2-7) allowed only one run and four hits in seven innings,
with four strikeouts and two walks.
"I think I just get ahead in the count and go deep into games and
get in quick innings and get better location," Liriano said. "I'm
not at the point I want to be yet, but everything is getting better
and everything is moving forward."
The left-hander's other win this season also came against the
Dodgers, when he pitched 5 2/3 shutout innings May 30 at Los
Angeles.
"To me, he's a tough guy to get ready for," Dodgers manager Don
Mattingly said. "You know he doesn't throw that many strikes but he
throws enough and his offspeed stuff is really, really good. He's
all over the place. He's not a good guy to hit off of."
Harrison, subbing at third base for the injured Pedro Alvarez
(discomfort in left knee), had two hits. His double gave the Pirates
a 4-0 lead just seven batters into the game against Dodgers
right-hander Dan Haren (8-8).
"We had him in the first inning throw quite a few pitches and had
runners in scoring position," Harrison said. "You want to get as
many runs early as possible. When we get on base, we know we can
make things happen."
Travis Snider, who started in left field because Starling Marte was
placed on the seven-day concussion list before the game, had two
hits, including a home run in the second inning that pushed the
Pirates' lead to 5-0.
Catcher Russell Martin also had two hits for the Pirates (54-47),
who have won five of six games since the All-Star break. They also
won for the 15th straight time when scoring in the first inning.
Pirates left-hander Justin Wilson and right-hander Jared Hughes each
pitched one scoreless inning to complete the five-hitter.
An ugly July continued for Haren, who allowed five runs and four
hits in five innings while striking out six and walking three. He
has lost all four starts this month, with an ERA of 9.47.
"It's just really gotten away from me the last four times out,"
Haren said. "I was having a great year. I felt great about
everything, the way I was throwing the ball, but now everything has
snowballed and everything that could have gone wrong has gone
wrong."
The Dodgers (56-47) lost two of three in the series while two of
their stars -- right fielder Yasiel Puig and shortstop Hanley
Ramirez -- were missing because of hand injuries suffered last
weekend when they were hit by pitches in St. Louis.
Puig did pinch-hit in the eighth inning Wednesday and drew a walk.
He stayed in the game in center field -- the first time he has
played the position this season. Mattingly said Tuesday that he was
thinking of making Puig the Dodgers' regular center fielder once he
got healthy.
Third baseman Juan Uribe had two hits for the Dodgers, who dropped 1
1/2 games behind the Giants in the National League West and open a
three-game series with them Friday night at San Francisco.
NOTES: INF Brent Morel was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis as LF
Starling Marte went on the seven-day concussion disabled list. ...
Dodgers RF Yasiel Puig and SS Hanley Ramirez both were out of the
starting lineup with sore left hands. Puig is expected to start
Friday night but manager Don Mattingly isn't as certain about
Ramirez. ... Los Angeles C A.J. Ellis was rested after starting the
first five games after the All-Star break. ... Pittsburgh RHP Gerrit
Cole, on the disabled list since July 5 with a strained right lat,
said he felt good after throwing a 70-pitch simulated game. ...
Dodgers RHP Zack Greinke (11-6, 2.90 ERA) will face Giants RHP Tim
Lincecum (9-6, 3.65) on Friday ... The Pirates open a three-game
road series at Colorado on Friday night with RHP Charlie Morton
(5-9, 3.28) opposing Rockies LHP Brett Anderson (0-3, 4.00).
However, the left-hander got a win Wednesday night, and that has
to be considered progress.
