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 The right-hander pitched into the eighth inning for yet another
September win, and left fielder Starling Marte homered as the
Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Boston Red Sox 3-2 Thursday night.
The Pirates swept the three-game series, ran their winning streak to
four games and won for the 11th time in their last 13 games while
keeping pace in the National League pennant race.
"Games like this are fun," Cole said.
The Pirates are now 3 1/2 games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers for
the second wild card and 2 1/2 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals
in the NL Central. Milwaukee visits Pittsburgh (82-70) for a pivotal
three-game series beginning Friday night.
Cole (10-5) won his season-best third consecutive start and is 7-1
in nine career starts in September. He worked seven-plus innings,
allowing two runs and six hits while striking out seven and walking
none.
"I've been in the major leagues two years and each year we've been
in a situation in September where every game is do or die," Cole
said. "These are the games you have to win."
Cole has pitched with poise well beyond his 24 years while winning
those games.
"He pitched with an edge and he had a real plan out there," Pirates
manager Clint Hurdle said. "He's been like that the last two
September. He's proven he can perform in big games. He's shown he
can be that guy."
Marte hit a solo shot in the fifth inning, his 13th of the season,
to put the Pirates ahead 3-1, and that proved to be the difference.
The left fielder had two hits for the Pirates, as did third baseman
Josh Harrison.
The Pirates caught a break in the ninth inning after the Red Sox,
down by a run, put runners on first and third with no outs against
closer Mark Melancon.
Third baseman Will Middlebrooks hit a chopper down the third base
line. The ball struck the back of pinch runner Jemile Weeks' left
leg as he dove back to the bag, and he was ruled out for being hit
by the batted ball.
Melancon then retired the last two batters for his 30th save in 34
opportunities.
"Sometimes you're just meant to win," Hurdle said.
Melancon, though, wasn't thinking about good omens at the time.
"It was nice to get that first out but the biggest thing was not to
lose sight of making sure you get the next two outs," he said.
Weeks said there was nothing he could have done to avoid being hit
by the ball.
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"There was a lot involved," he said. "The play was, if it's not a
double-play ball, make sure you get back. It wasn't a double-play
ball, got back, had to avoid getting tagged or creating a
double-play situation. That's what I did and the ball hit me on the
way back."
Red Sox right-hander Brandon Workman (1-10) lost his 10th straight
decision after giving up three runs (two earned) and seven hits in
five innings. He struck out six and walked three.
"With the exception of the solo home run to Marte, he pitched a
solid five innings for us," Boston manager John Farrell said.
Shortstop Xander Bogaerts' sacrifice fly in the eighth inning drew
the Red Sox to 3-2. Rookie catcher Christian Vazquez, Middlebrooks
and left fielder Daniel Nava each had two hits but Boston (66-87),
which is last in the American League East, lost for the eighth time
in their last 11 games.
NOTES: Boston DH David Ortiz returned to the team a day earlier than
expected after missing the previous two games while attending to a
family emergency and started at first base. The designated hitter
rule is not in effect in interleague games at National League parks.
... Boston INF/OF Brock Holt, out since Sept. 5 due to a concussion,
was cleared to resume baseball activities after being examined
Thursday by Pittsburgh-based head trauma specialist Micky Collins.
... Red Sox 1B Mike Napoli and LF Yoenis Cesepedes were both rested.
... Pittsburgh SS Jordy Mercer returned to the lineup after missing
two games with a lower back strain. ... Pirates C Russell Martin got
the night off, setting him up to play all three games of the pivotal
series against Milwaukee. ... Pirates LHP Jeff Locke (7-5, 3.66 ERA)
is scheduled to pitch Friday night against Brewers RHP Yovani
Gallardo (8-10, 3.59 ERA). ... Boston opens a three-game series
Friday night at Baltimore against the American League East champion
Orioles. Red Sox RHP Allen Webster (4-3, 6.02 ERA) is scheduled to
face Orioles RHP Kevin Gausman (7-7, 3.57 ERA).
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