The hits keep coming for the Pittsburgh Pirates following a 6-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Not only did the Brewers battle back and spoil Jeff Locke’s start, but Jordy Mercer was removed from the game in the second inning.
Mercer was injured trying to tag Carlos Gomez to start a double play. Gomez stepped on Mercer’s leg well short of second base and the Pirates shortstop went down in pain. After being checked out by Todd Tomczyk and Ben Potenziano was placed on a cart. Pirates PR stated that he was removed from the game with pain in his left lower leg.
Following the game it was revealed that Mercer will fly back to Pittsburgh and there will be examined by team doctors.
Sean Rodriguez took his spot in the lineup and moved to third base while Jung Ho Kang slid over to shortstop.
Locke [5-6] was dominant at times with a five-pitch first inning, an eight-pitch fourth inning and a nine-pitch fifth inning. He also helped his own cause with a walk and an RBI single in the fifth inning. This came after Jaff Decker hit his first career major league triple.
The Pirates held their lead until the bottom of the seventh. Locke led off the inning walking Gomez. With one out, Aramis Ramirez singled and advanced Gomez to second base. Khris Davis then doubled, his 11th of the season and scored Gomez. Starling Marte’s relay throw was slow to get to Neil Walker and as a result Ramirez scored all the way from first base.
It was the eighth inning that put the game out of reach. With the Pirates trying to use the least amount of bullpen arms as possible, Locke came back out to open the inning. He was removed two batters in when Jonathan Lucroy singled.
Jared Hughes then entered the game and allowed singles to Ryan Braun and Gomez to load the bases. This brought up Adam Lind who earlier hit the ground ball that ended up being Mercer’s last play. Again he hit a ground ball that Travis Ishikawa went fair. First base umpire C.B. Bucknor ruled the ball fair and Lucroy scored. Manager Clint Hurdle went out to get an explanation from home plate umpire Adam Hamari, however the ruling stood and the play was not able to be reviewed.
The inning continued with Ramirez hitting a sacrifice fly to make the run differential three. Pinch-hitter Shane Peterson then hit an RBI double to score the final two runs. He advanced to third on a Decker error. This knocked Jared Hughes out of the game and Arquimedes Caminero had to get the final out.
Taylor Jungmann [5-1] picked up the win.
On Monday the Pirates will begin a three-game road series against the Kansas City Royals. A.J. Burnett [7-3 2.11 ERA] will face Yordano Ventura [4-6 4.73 ERA]. Burnett is 5-3 with a 2.69 ERA in 11 career starts against the Royals.
Of note: With four relievers available [Vance Worley threw 81 pitches Saturday, Deolis Guerra was considered a “911” situation and Hurdle wanted to try and rest Antonio Bastardo], the Pirates once again called up Wilfredo Boscan. The corresponding move was to place Gorkys Hernandez on the 15-day disabled list with left shoulder discomfort.
Photo credit: AP Photo/Morry Gash
