After being shut down all day by Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Alex Wood [5-5], the Pirates finally got on board with a two-out ninth inning double by Jordy Mercer that scored Francisco Cervelli, but former Pirates closer Jason Grilli struck out Gregory Polanco to secure a 2-1 Atlanta victory.
The Pirates were looking for their first sweep against the Atlanta Braves since 1994.
The Braves scored single runs in the fifth and seventh innings.
With two outs in the fifth, Cameron Maybin singled and then he advanced to second base on a passed ball. A Nick Markakis single to right field scored Maybin.
This was the lone run allowed by Pirates starter Jeff Locke [4-4] who also surrendered five hits while walking three and striking out an additional five batters. Locke threw 94 pitches and 56 were strikes.
“A lot of long at-bats but we were able to get them to put the ball on the ground when we needed them to and I was able to get a strikeout pitch going,” Locke said of his outing. “It seemed we got away with a lot.”
Vance Worley pitched the seventh inning, and the first batter, Jace Peterson, homered to right-center field. It was Peterson’s third homer of the season. Worley has allowed two runs since transitioning into a relief pitcher, and both are against the Braves.
Down 2-0, the Pittsburgh Pirates had two runners on base and were attempting to come back with Francisco Cervelli, the team’s best hitter against left-handed pitching up at bat.
Cervelli bunted both runners into scoring position, however Jordy Mercer struck out and Sean Rodriguez popped out, ending the seventh inning threat.
Cervelli leads the team in batting average against left-handed pitching, and his decision to bunt surprised the Braves.
“I anticipated in the dugout and said that if there were two guys on then I’m going to do it for a hit,” Cervelli said. “I wish I had Marte’s speed but I don’t and I tried. Jordy been swinging really good, so why not?”
Manager Clint Hurdle agreed with Cervelli’s decision.
“I thought it was a good baseball play,” said Hurdle. “I trust my guys to go out and play.”
Following the incomplete rally in the seventh inning, pinch-hitter Neil Walker doubled off the left field wall with one out in the eighth inning. This knocked Braves starter Wood out of the game. Walker however was stranded at second base.
Jason Grilli pitched the ninth inning and got two quick outs. He then walked Cervelli once again bringing Mercer to the plate. Mercer’s well-struck ball died on the warning track where Maybin and left fielder Eury Perez collided. Perez was injured and removed from the game. Polanco, in the game as a pinch hitter, then struck out on a full count and Grilli earned his 21st save of the season. It was his first save in eight days and both Grilli and catcher A.J. Pierzynski pumped their fists after the final out.
This is the Pirates first loss at home against an NL East opponent placing them at 11-1 and now 10-1 in home contests played in the afternoon.
The Pirates have an off-day Monday and then will travel for a three game series against the Detroit Tigers. Tuesday Gerrit Cole [11-3 2.16 ERA] will pitch against a starter that has not yet been announced. The vacancy expected to be filled by Justin Verlander [0-1 6.17 ERA]. Cole is 1-0 in one career start against the Tigers.
Photo credit: JK Aller/Getty Images
