After finally reaching the .500 mark for the first time since April 8th, the Pittsburgh Pirates looked for another accomplishment that had not happened since 1993, go into south Florida and sweep the Miami Marlins.
Unfortunately, former Pirate Casey McGehee had other ideas.
The Marlins (35-33) were led by McGehee’s three hit, three RBI performance as the Marlins came back to thwart the Pirates attempt at the sweep in 10 innings, 3-2.
Starter Vance Worley was exceptional making his debut for the Pirates (34-35) after being acquired from the Minnesota Twins this Spring. The former Phillie standout tossed seven scoreless innings, scattering five hits and striking out five. However, it was not enough as once again the Pirates bullpen was unable to hold a late inning lead.
The Pirates opened the scoring in the third inning compliments of a Starling Marte’s RBI double, scoring Gregory Polanco, who showed his tremendous speed running the bases on the play. Josh Harrison continued the scoring in the fourth inning with an RBI single, giving the Pirates a 2-0 lead.
Worley cruised through the next four innings out dueling Henderson Alvarez (3-3) and leaving after seven innings, and hoping for the bullpen to come through for Worley’s first win in over a year.
The Pirates bullpen once again struggled to hold a late lead, squandering another quality start along the way. Reliever Tony Watson gave up consecutive hits on Jeff Baker’s infield single and then Rafael Furcal followed with a seeing eye single to put men on first and second with no outs.
Watson then struck out Reed Johnson to set up a match up with Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton. Watson was up to the task, striking out Stanton with a beautiful change up. However, former Pirate Casey McGehee’s third hit of the game, a two-out double to deep left field, knotted the game at 2-2 and once again, wasted a terrific showing by a Pirates starter.
Pedro unable to handle Osuna grounder in the 9th but was ruled a hit. Hughes able to strike out Donavan Solano to end the 9th and send the game to extra innings.
In the top of the 10th, Marte and McCutchen continued their torrid streak with Marte drawing a walk and a McCutchen single of Marlins reliever A.J. Ramos. McCutchen then stole second to put men on second and third with nobody out. Ike Davis then walked to load the bases, bringing Russell Martin up with a chance to put the Pirates back on top.
Martin then proceeded to hit into a double play, and then Ramos then intentionally walked Alvarez, bringing Clint Barmes up with the bases loaded and two outs. Barmes then struck out and the Pirates wasted a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 10th.
In the bottom of the 10th, Jared Hughes (3-2) gave up a lead off single to Furcal, and then Ed Lucas pinch ran for Furcal. Reed Johnson sacrificed Lucas to second, and Hughes would then give Stanton his second intentional walk of the game.
With McGehee at the plate, a Hughes wild pitch allowed Stanton and Lucas to advance to second and third. McGehee then hit a deep fly to right field, pushing the winning run across the plate.
It was not a good weekend for the Pirates bullpen. As the group allowed 11 runs from the 8th inning on in the three game set.
The Pirates will head home to begin a 3 game series with their division rivals, the Cincinnati Reds. Alfredo Simon (9-3, 2.95) faces Edinson Volquez (4-5, 3.89)
