Josh Harrison continued his breakout season going 3-for-4 with a double, triple, RBI and a run scored while making three pivotal late-inning defensive plays to help the Pirates comeback and defeat the Reds 2-1 on Friday night in front of a sellout crowd at PNC.
Harrison picked up Pirates starter Edinson Volquez numerous times throughout the game allowing Volquez to keep a no-hitter into the seventh inning.
Harrison also kept the shutout alive in the sixth after Billy Hamilton walked with one out and advanced to third on a stolen base and throwing error by Russell Martin. Volquez then struck out Todd Frazier before Brandon Phillips sent a sharp liner down the third base line. Harrison dove towards the line and corralled the ball to end the threat.
The Reds (65-70) finally got into the hit column in the seventh after back-to-back singles to start the inning. Kristopher Negron then sent a grounder down the third base line. Harrison made another diving stop, tagged third from his stomach, then fired to first to complete the double play nixing another Reds rally.
“As I dove for the ball, my instincts kicked in and my right hand was closer. It would have taken longer to get back up and step on the bag or touch the bag with my glove and I know Negron can run a little bit,” said Harrison. “I knew the quickest way was to get it, smack the bag and get up and try to make an accurate throw.”
Volquez wasn’t as lucky in the eighth. Hamilton singled with one out and stole his second base of the game. Volquez then got the second out on a groundout to short before hitting Phillips on the hand ending his night.
“I was more focused tonight,” said Volquez, “I threw a lot of good pitches at the bottom of the strike zone. I was too relaxed in the past, but I stayed focused, tonight.”
Tony Watson (10-1) came in to try and keep the game tied, but allowed a RBI bloop single to left by Devin Mesoraco. The ball was misplayed twice by Starling Marte and Jordy Mercer before it got to the hands of Harrison, who threw home in time to get Phillips at the plate to keep the game 1-0.
The Pirates (70-64) couldn’t get anything going against Reds starter Mike Leake, who allowed six hits through seven innings in only 82 pitches. He was, however, pinch-hit for in the seventh bringing on Jonathan Broxton to work the eighth.
Andrew Lambo — who was called up from AAA Indianapolis earlier in the day — started the Pirate rally with one out singling off the glove of first basemen Todd Frazier. Harrison followed with a RBI triple off of the Clemente wall to tie things at one. Jose Tabata then hit a chopper past a drawn in infield to give the Pirates the 2-1 lead.
“I was just looking for something I could handle,” said Harrison. “He gave that to me first pitch and a lot of times with relievers, let alone starters, in an at bat you might only get one pitch and late in the game, you don’t want to let that one go.”
Mark Melancon (Save #25) worked a perfect ninth to secure the victory.
Final Score: Pirates 2, Reds 1.
“You can watch a lot of Major League baseball games and you would be hard pressed to find a better all-around game than Josh had on both sides of the ball,” said Hurdle.
Volquez added on to the praises of Hurdle.
“For me, [Harrison] is the MVP of the league,” said Volquez. “The way he’s playing right now is something unbelievable.”
Starters Lines
Volquez (ND): 7 2/3 IP, 3 H, 1 R,1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K’s, 2 HBP. 114 Pitches (71 Strikes).
Leake (ND): 7 IP, 6 H, 1 K. 82 Pitches (54 Strikes).
The Pirates will look to continue their win streak tomorrow afternoon.
Tomorrow’s Starters
(RHP) Vance Worley (PIT): 5-4, 3.14 ERA
(RHP) Alfredo Simon (CIN): 13-8, 3.26 ERA
First pitch is set for 4:05.
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(Photo Credit:Getty Images)
