Josh Harrison entered the fourth inning of Tuesday’s game without a home run in 62 at-bats and without an RBI in 10 days. Both of these streaks changed.
With two runners on base, Harrison swung on the first pitch he saw from Sean O’Sullivan [0-2] and placed it in the left field seats. His and Andrew McCutchen’s third homers of the season allowed the Pittsburgh Pirates to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies by a 7-2 score.
The third inning started when Starling Marte was hit by a pitch and Pedro Alvarez singled. Harrison’s home run was the first he hit while not batting first as well as his first career three run homer.
“You just want to be able to come in every day and contribute to the team. Tonight I had a chance in the fourth inning and put a good swing on the ball and it ended up going over the fence,” Harrison said. “It’s just a testament of what I’ve been doing the past week or so just finding my groove and staying within myself.”
McCutchen also was in a drought. He had not hit a home run since April 12, a span of 98 plate appearances. He would connect for a two-run home run his third of the season. It was his first home run to left field.
A.J. Burnett [2-1] pitched out of a jam in the fifth inning allowing two runners on with one out, however Carlos Ruiz lined out to Neil Walker who flipped the ball to Jung Ho Kang to complete the double play.
The Phillies were able to plate two runs in the sixth inning cutting the deficit to 3-2. Pinch-hitter Andres Torres doubled to start the inning and Ben Revere hit an RBI double. He advanced to third base on an error by Gregory Polanco. The next batter, Freddy Galvis, hit a line drive that Kang made a leaping grab on. Revere would score on a Chase Utley RBI groundout
“That’s probably the first time I’ve seen him jump with that much adrenaline going that was a nice play, a big time play,” manager Clint Hurdle said of Kang’s play.
The Pirates scored four runs in the seventh inning off Luis Garcia. Garcia walked his first two batters and Burnett was able to lay down a successful sacrifice bunt. Polanco was able to take a 2-1 pitch to the opposite field for a single which scored two. The other two runs came on McCutchen’s first home run in a month. Garcia came into his appearance with a 2.93 ERA and left with a 3.94 mark.
Burnett pitched seven innings allowing six hits, two runs [one earned], one walk and five strikeouts on 95 pitches, 65 of which were for strikes. Burnett is the first Pirates pitcher to allow two or fewer runs in each of his first seven starts in 1988 when Bob Walk accomplished the feat.
“That tells you that I’m keeping my team in the game,” Burnett said. “All I want to do is limit them and try to get to the dugout as fast as I can.”
On the 14th anniversary of Burnett’s no-hitter, Burnett threw as many strikes as he did on that 2001 night. Hurdle was quick to give praise to his starting pitcher.
“To his credit this man has paid attention his entire career,” said Hurdle. “He has worked to become a master craftsman and worked to get better every year. We’ve been able to reap some of the benefits of that experience and drive and determination he has.”
The Pirates are now above .500 for the first time since May 1.
“We know what we’re capable of doing and we’re going to go out there and things are going to work for us,” McCutchen said.
Seven of the team’s eight position players reached base including catcher Francisco Cervelli who tied his career high with two doubles in this game.
In Wednesday’s contest, it was be a battle of left-handed starters as Francisco Liriano [1-2 2.79 ERA] takes on Cole Hamels [2-3 3.68 ERA]. Liriano won his lone start against the Phillies striking out 12 batters in eight scoreless innings. Hamels is 2-2 with a 2.76 ERA in seven career starts against the Pirates.
Photo credit: USATSI
