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 Friday's contest didn't get that far.
Shortstop Jordy Mercer doubled to right field with two men on and
one out in the 10th inning to push Pittsburgh to a 3-2 walk-off
victory over the Atlanta Braves.
It was an elated moment for the Pirates shortstop, who hit below the
Mendoza line through April and May, and is still hitting only .225
this season.
"The last couple weeks I've been hitting the ball so hard, seeing it
so well," Mercer said. "I'm in a good place and I know eventually
it's going to work out for me."
The Pirates played their 10th extra-inning game of the season. They
are now 3-7 in such games.
Center fielder Andrew McCutchen led off the 10th with a double to
left field off Atlanta reliever Jason Grilli (2-3), and left fielder
Starling Marte was intentionally walked. After first baseman Pedro
Alvarez struck out, Mercer delivered his game-winning hit.
"McCutchen knows my style," Grilli said. "I'm trying to get ahead,
(and) he's aggressive. Leadoff guy gets on. Sometimes you can create
a situation when a leadoff guy gets on."
Manager Fredi Gonzalez said the Braves walked Marte to face first
baseman Pedro Alvarez, who Grilli struck out. He thought they also
had a chance of getting Mercer to put a ball on the ground for a
potential inning-ending double play.
"We were up against it there," Gonzalez said. "Leadoff double to
McCutchen -- you've gotta pick your poison. We thought we had a
better chance at Alvarez tonight."
Pirates right-hander Mark Melancon (1-1) pitched a scoreless 10th to
pick up his first win of the season.
Pittsburgh left-hander Francisco Liriano was charged for two runs
and six hits in seven innings. He walked three out and struck out
three.
"Frankie gave us the length we needed, and Melancon continues to get
things done," manager Clint Hurdle said. "Very, very good volume of
work done off the mound for us tonight."
Atlanta scored first in the second inning as Liriano encountered
command issues.
First baseman Chris Johnson singled and advanced to third on Juan
Uribe's base hit with no outs. Liriano walked left fielder Jonny
Gomes to load the bases and then walked catcher Ryan Lavarnway to
force in a run with one out.
Atlanta starting pitcher Williams Perez popped out, and second
baseman Jace Peterson struck out to leave the bases loaded in the
inning.
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Liriano allowed runners to reach base in each of his first four
innings but induced three double play balls to avoid damage.
Perez did not make it out of the fifth after he was hit on the left
ankle with a line drive off third baseman Josh Harrison's bat. Perez
briefly lay face down in front of the mound but returned to his
feet.
After walking second baseman Neil Walker on four pitches, Perez was
called for a balk, then hit McCutchen and was replaced by
left-hander Luis Avilan. Marte reached base on an infield single and
Alvarez hit a two-run single to center for a 2-1 Pittsburgh lead.
"It did affect me after I got hit," Perez said. "I was a little
scared, a little timid to get on that foot, and that caused me to be
a little more erratic."
Perez was charged with two runs and four hits in 4 2/3 innings. He
walked two and struck out two, but said he wasn't frustrated his
solid start was cut short.
"Things like this happen," Perez said. "It's part of the game. I
dodged a bullet and I'm hoping to be out there soon."
Uribe tied the game in the sixth inning with a solo home run to pull
the Braves even at 2-2.
NOTES: Pittsburgh RHP Rob Scahill (forearm) was placed on the 15-day
disabled list and RHP Deolis Guerra was recalled from Triple-A
Indianapolis. ... Atlanta RHP Brandon Cunniff (groin) was placed on
the 15-day disabled list and RHP Sugar Ray Marimon was recalled from
Triple-A Gwinnett. ... Pirates LF Starling Marte returned the
starting lineup after he received a day off Thursday.
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