Francisco Liriano threw six shutout innings and Andrew McCutchen put the only run on the board to help the Pirates beat the Braves 1-0 on Monday night.
Liriano had some control issues on the night allowing three hits and walking four, but was able to keep the Braves (76-80) off of the board. The only major threat came against him in the bottom of the first inning. Emilio Bonifacio walked to start the game and advanced to second and third on two stolen bases. Freddie Freeman then walked with one out. Liriano then got Justin Upton to strike out and Chris Johnson to ground out to end the inning.
The Pirates (85-71) were having their problems getting any offense going against Braves starter Aaron Harang getting only five runners on base through the first five innings. McCutchen finally broke the silence in the sixth taking a Harang 2-0 fastball into the left field seats for his 24th home run of the season. It would be the final hit recorded by a Pirate in the game.
The bullpen trio of Jared Hughes, John Holdzkom and Mark Melancon (Save #32) worked three scoreless innings to secure the shutout.
Final Score: Pirates 1, Braves 0.
The victory bumps the Pirates playoff magic number down to two. They can clinch a playoff spot in Atlanta tomorrow — exactly one year after clinching their first playoff spot in 21 years — with a win and Brewers loss in Cincinnati.
Starters Lines
Liriano (W, 7-10): 6 IP, 3 H, 4 BB, 7 K’s, 1 WP. 101 Pitches (57 Strikes).
Harang (L, 11-12): 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K’s , 1 HR. 117 Pitches (81 Strikes).
Tomorrow’s Starters
(RHP) Gerrit Cole (PIT): 10-5, 3.85 ERA
(LHP) Alex Wood (ATL): 11-10, 2.78 ERA
First pitch is set for 7:10.
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(Photo Credit: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
