After a 6-5 loss yesterday, the Pirates wrapped up their two-game road series against the Tigers with a hard fought extra inning victory against the Tigers. The story of the game was pitching, and Rick Porcello and Jeanmar Gomez each looked brilliant on the mound tonight.
Porcello, who came into the game with an ERA over six, pitched one of the best games of his career. The 24-year old pitched eight scoreless innings, allowing only three hits, while striking out eleven batters. His strikeout total from tonight was more than the amount of strikeouts he collected in the month of April.
The only player in the Pirates lineup without a strikeout was Travis Snider, while Andrew McCutchen and Gaby Sanchez each had three strikeouts in the game.
Gomez has been phenomenal for the Pirates this season as a starter, and he continued his great success this afternoon. Perhaps the unsung hero of the Pirates this season, Gomez pitched seven innings of shutout ball. He only struck out two, but kept his pitch count at an unbelievable 73 pitches through seven innings.
Justin Wilson pitched great out of the bullpen, as he kept the game tied in the eighth and ninth inning. He was throwing some serious heat, and clocked 98 MPH a couple times.
Mark Melancon worked the bottom of the tenth and gave some Pirate fans a scare, as he put two men on with one out. He was able to work out of it to send the game to the eleventh inning.
As far as the offense goes, it was pretty much nonexistent. There were eight hits between both teams through the first nine innings, and the score was 0-0 as extra innings came around.
The Pirates had a good chance in the top of the eighth to get some runs on the board, but Clint Barmes killed the rally attempt by grounding into a double play. Early in extra innings the Pirates were able to get two more men on base, but Jordy Mercer failed to drive either of the runners in.
The only run scored in the whole game was put on the board in the top of the 11th, as Neil Walker picked up his third home run of the season off of Tigers reliever, Jose Ortega. The bomb came with one out and was on the first pitch of the at-bat.
Jason Grilli was called upon in the bottom of the 11th to close the game out, and had arguably the best outing of the season. He definitely faced his toughest challenge, as Torii Hunter, Miguel Cabrera, and Prince Fielder were due up first, second, and third. It was no problem for Grilli though, as he picked up his 21st save in his 21st attempt, striking out all three batters he faced.
The Bucs and Tigers will travel to Pittsburgh to open up a two-game series in Pittsburgh against each other. Anibal Sanchez (5-4, 2.38 ERA) will take the mound against A.J. Burnett (3-5, 2.57 ERA) as the first pitch should be thrown at 7:05 P.M.
