|
 However, the rookie catcher still had enough energy to produce
the winning RBI.
Left fielder Starling Marte had three hits, including a two-run
triple, and scored the winning run in the seventh inning on
Sanchez's single as the Pirates edged the Baltimore Orioles 9-8 on
Wednesday night in a game that saw 14 runs scored in the first two
innings.
"I'm tired and I'm sore," Sanchez said with a grin. "But
game-winning knocks always make the pain go away."
With the score tied 8-8, Marte started the winning rally with a
leadoff single against reliever Ryan Webb (2-1). Marte took third on
first baseman Ike Davis' single and scored on Sanchez's ground
single into right field with one out.
Sanchez has 12 RBIs in 21 games, ranking sixth on the team despite
having just 72 at-bats in the season's first 45 games.
"When you watch him catch, the way he's always moving around behind
the plate, the type of enthusiasm he brings to the job, you would
think he might be a little jumpy in the batter's box, but he's not,"
Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "He really stays calm in big
situations."
Reliever Bryan Morris (4-0) won despite being charged with one run
in one inning. Mark Melancon pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his seventh
save in nine opportunities.
The Orioles had tied the score in the seventh at 8 when shortstop
J.J. Hardy singled in a run against left-hander Justin Wilson and
pinch-hitter Steve Pearce singled in a run against Morris.
"Any loss is a loss," Orioles left fielder Nelson Cruz said. "We
have to focus on the positive. We gave ourselves a lot chances to
score and our pitchers the room to throw some innings."
Davis also had three hits and two RBIs and center fielder Andrew
McCutchen also had three of the Pirates' 12 hits, including two
doubles.
Cruz had three hits and three RBIs, including his 14th home run of
the season to start the second inning for the Orioles, who also had
12 hits.
Neither starter made it past the second. Baltimore's Chris Tillman
was torched for eight runs -- six earned -- and eight hits in
one-plus inning. Pittsburgh's Wandy Rodriguez was tagged for six
runs -- only one earned -- and seven hits in 1 2/3 innings.
Tillman threw his first career shutout in his previous start last
Friday against the Royals in Kansas City.
"Coming off a good one, you'd like to carry it over and get a good
rhythm going here," Tillman said. "It was tough. I battled and tried
to make adjustments, but they just didn't come."
Rodriguez has allowed 10 home runs in just 26 1/3 innings this
season.
"It has been very frustrating," Rodriguez said.
[to top of second column] |
The Pirates won for just third time in nine games and the Orioles
lost for the seventh time in 10 games.
The Pirates grabbed a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.
McCutchen doubled home a run, and Marte hit a two-run triple and
scored on Davis' single.
The Orioles answered with a six-run second, knocking Rodriguez out
of the game in the process. Cruz led off the inning with his home
run and capped the outburst with a two-run double.
The Pirates scored four more runs in the second to regain the lead
at 8-6 and chase Tillman. Third baseman Pedro Alvarez and Davis hit
RBI singles.
NOTES: Pirates RHP Jason Grilli threw a 20-pitch simulated game on
Wednesday. He is expected to be activated from the disabled list
Saturday. The closer has been out since April 21 because of a
strained left oblique muscle. ... Pittsburgh C Russell Martin could
also come off the DL this weekend as he continues his recovery from
a strained left hamstring that has sidelined him since May 11. ...
Baltimore C Matt Wieters, on the DL since May 11 with a strained
right elbow, has started catching bullpen sessions but has not been
cleared to throw. ... The Orioles open a four-game home series with
the Cleveland Indians on Thursday night with LHP Wei-Yen Chen (5-2,
3.69 ERA) getting the start. RHP Josh Tomlin was scheduled to pitch
for the Indians but was forced to work in relief on Thursday during
Cleveland's 13-inning victory over Detroit. ... The Pirates host the
Washington Nationals in a four-game series that begins Thursday
night as RHP Edinson Volquez (1-4, 4.71 ERA) faces RHP Blake Treinen
(0-1, 0.77).
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
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