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 Volquez continued his mastery of the Miami Marlins, allowing one
hit in seven scoreless innings, and Polanco, the rookie right
fielder, drove in four runs in the Pirates' 7-2 win Thursday night.
The lone hit off Volquez was a fifth-inning single by infielder
Donovan Solano, who was subbing for slumping third baseman Casey
McGehee.
The right-hander improved to 6-0 with a 1.64 ERA in seven career
starts against the Marlins. He struck out seven and walked three as
he won for the first time in four starts since the All-Star break
after winning his last four starts of the first half.
"Tonight was one of the best nights I've had with my fastball,"
Volquez said. "It was great for me because I was able to keep the
ball down and get a lot of ground balls. I was trying to get ahead
in the count the whole time and be aggressive in the strike zone."
Conversely, Polanco got ahead in the count 2-0 before hitting a
two-run opposite-field single to left field off rookie left-hander
Brian Flynn (0-1) that capped three-run fourth inning that broke a
scoreless tie.
Polanco also hit a two-run double in the eighth off closer Steve
Cishek, who was getting in some work after having not pitched since
last Saturday, to make it 7-0.
"I think that's the third time he's shown that ability to hit a ball
into left field off a left-hander so far this season and just to
stay on the ball and not try and get outside himself," Pirates
manager Clint Hurdle said. "Take what they're giving him. When
they're throwing down and away, he stayed out over the plate and
covered it."
The Marlins had a scary moment in the seventh inning when Pirates
shortstop Jordy Mercer hit a line drive off the right side of
left-handed reliever Dan Jennings' head. The ball struck Jennings
with such force that it popped into the air and was caught behind
second base by shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria.
Jennings tried to get to his feet but fell to his knees and was
attended to by athletic trainers from both teams. He raised his hand
to the crowd while being taken off the field on a cart and drew a
loud ovation.
Jennings was taken to a local hospital and a CT scan came back
negative. He was diagnosed with a concussion and is being held
overnight in Pittsburgh for observation.
"It's definitely scary," Marlins catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia said.
"I'd never been on the field when that happened. It goes past
baseball. You start thinking about life. He has a wife and a kid."
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Mercer was also shaken by the incident.
"You watch it unfold and you hope he gets up," he said. "You don't
want anything like that. I had the best seat in the house and it
wasn't pretty."
Right fielder Giancarlo Stanton hit his National League-leading 27th
home run, a two-out shot off rookie right-hander Stolmy Pimentel,
with two outs in the ninth inning to keep the Marlins from being
shut out.
Mercer had three hits, including a double to lead off a three-run
fourth inning that broke a scoreless tie, and a single during a
two-run fifth that extended the Pirates' lead to 5-0.
Polanco, catcher Russell Martin and center fielder Starling Marte
had two hits apiece. Martin extended his hitting streak to six
games.
NOTES: Pirates CF Andrew McCutchen missed his third consecutive game
with a fracture in his lower left ribcage. Manager Clint Hurdle said
there is a chance McCutchen could avoid going on the disabled list.
... Pittsburgh 2B Neil Walker sat out for the fourth time in five
games because of lower back tightness. He felt better after getting
treatment prior to Thursday night's game but likely won't return to
the lineup until Saturday. ... Marlins 3B Casey McGehee did not
start for the just the second time in 113 games this season. He
entered the day in a 7-for-54 (.130) slump, and he was 0-for-8 in
his career against Pirates RHP Edinson Volquez, who started. ...
Miami RHP Nathan Eovaldi (5-6, 4.22 ERA) will pitch against Reds RHP
Mike Leake (9-9, 3.46) on Friday at Cincinnati in the opener of a
three-game series. ... The Pirates begin a three-game home series
against the Padres on Friday with Pittsburgh RHP Vance Worley (4-1,
2.43) facing San Diego RHP Ian Kennedy (8-9, 3.59).
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