|
 Charlie Morton pitched one-run ball over six innings, and Polanco
helped stake him to an early lead with a double and a home run as
the Pirates beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-1 Wednesday night.
Manager Clint Hurdle did not start Polanco on Tuesday night for the
first time since he was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis on June
10, when he made his major league debut. The 22-year-old was
2-for-16 in his previous five games.
However, Polanco had a pinch-hit single during Tuesday's three-run
rally in the ninth inning that gave the Pirates a 3-2 victory.
On Wednesday night, Polanco doubled and scored in the first inning
and hit a two-run homer in the second as the Pirates took an early
3-0 lead against rookie right-hander Chase Anderson (5-4). Polanco
had two hits and two RBIs.
"You have to keep working," Polanco said. "Keep doing what I'm doing
and stay strong with my mind. I know this is the major leagues and
it's hard to hit here, so I'm just trying to keep doing what I'm
doing. Keep working hard and try to do better every day and adjust
to the league.
"This game is all about adjustments. You have to adjust quickly. The
faster you adjust, the better you do."
Morton (5-9) adjusted to not having his best stuff or command as he
allowed five hits, walking three and striking out five in his first
home start since June 9. He is 3-1 in his past five starts at PNC
Park.
"I was able to make pitches when I absolutely had to make them and
that's what made the difference for me," Morton said.
Left fielder Starling Marte drove in Polanco with a groundout in the
first, and he added an RBI double in a two-run eighth that pushed
the Pirates' lead to 5-1. Marte score on center fielder Andrew
McCutchen's single.
McCutchen fouled a ball off his left foot early in the at-bat and
began limping as he rounded first base. He was removed from the game
in the top of the ninth. There was no immediate word about his
status.
Shortstop Jordy Mercer went 3-for-3 with a walk for the Pirates.
McCutchen had two hits after being named the National League Player
of the Month for June earlier in the day.
Left-handers Justin Wilson and Tony Watson, and right-hander Mark
Melancon, each pitched one scoreless inning of relief.
The Pirates won their third straight game and won for the ninth time
in 11 games to move a season-high four games over .500 at 44-40.
[to top of second column]
|
Anderson (5-4) lost his fourth straight start after beginning his
career by winning his first five outings. He lasted just 3 2/3
innings and gave up three runs and eight hits while walking three
and striking out five.
"He didn't have command of his fastball," Diamondbacks manager Kirk
Gibson said. "I would have liked that he pitched longer but I
couldn't go any further with him."
Anderson has received just three runs of support in his four losses,
as the Diamondbacks scored fewer than four runs for the sixth
straight game. Arizona lost its third consecutive game.
Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt had three hits and is
5-for-7 in the first two games of the three-game series. He came to
Pittsburgh in a 1-for-19 slump that included 10 strikeouts.
"You've just got to keep putting the work in and just go out there
and try to have good at-bats," Goldschmidt said. "We haven't
consistently been able to do that. You've got to give their guys
some credit. They made some good pitches and they've got some good
arms, but you've got to find a way to score more than one run.
"And it's not a one-night thing -- it's the last week or 10 days we
haven't been able to every day put up the type of runs we'd like to
put up."
NOTES: Pirates LHP Francisco Liriano, who has been on the disabled
list since June 11 with a strained left oblique muscle, pitched a
four-inning simulated game Wednesday and will likely begin a rehab
assignment in the minor leagues early next week. ... Diamondbacks
manager Kirk Gibson said "there is no question" RHP Addison Reed
will remain in the closer's role despite blowing his fourth save in
23 opportunities Tuesday night. ... Arizona RHP Brandon McCarthy
(2-10, 5.11 ERA) faces RHP Vance Worley (2-0, 1.74) on Thursday
night in the finale of the three-game series. The Pirates reportedly
have interest in trading for McCarthy.
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
