McCutchen’s two home runs vaults the Pirates over the Nationals (Flickr.com/RJ Schmidt)
Scoring the most runs in a game since July 5th, the Pittsburgh Pirates staved off a late Nationals’ rally to defeat Washington 6-5.
Unfortunately, the victory is not the top story. Closer Jason Grilli left in the 9th with what Clint Hurdle described as “right forearm discomfort”. He did not provide any additional details.
Andrew McCutchen got the Pirates on the board in loud fashion with a two run shot off Dan Haren in the second inning after a Jordy Mercer walk. He would hit the replay button in the 3rd with another two-run shot to give the Buccos a 4-0 advantage. It was his 13th and 14th home runs of the season. The centerfielder is hitting .383 with five dingers in July.
“Andrew has a history of swinging the bat well here. He’s getting some pitches he’s not missing now. I’m very confident it’ll continue. He looks very, very confident and aggressive in the zone,” Hurdle said after the game.
Pittsburgh continued its offense in the 4th. Russell Martin singled to leadoff the inning and Garrett Jones doubled next to put runners on second and third. Gaby Sanchez brought Martin in on a groundout.
Dan Haren took the loss, giving up five earned in five innings. He struck out six.
The Pirates got another quality start from starting pitcher Charlie Morton. Over 6 2/3, he induced 12 groundballs including two double plays. He struck out five on 102 pitches.
He held the Nationals scoreless through four. Washington got on the board in the fifth off an Adam LaRoche home run to right center. Jayson Werth tagged Morton again in the seventh, with a two run shot to cut the Pirates’ to 5-3. Morton was pulled following the home run, allowing six hits and three earned.
Pittsburgh would get a run back in the top of the 8th. Pedro Alvarez broke an 0-20 slump with a leadoff single to left field. Russell Martin walked the following AB and Jose Tabata sacrificed them to second and third. With two outs, reliever Drew Storen threw a wild pitch past catcher Wilson Ramos, allowing Alvarez to score from third.
With the score still 6-3, Grilli came on for the save. He walked Adam LaRoche on five pitches to start the 9th. Werth hit his second home run of the day in the following at-bat, smashing a 401 foot homer into right field. Denard Span doubled down the right field line immediately after. Grimacing and flexing his right arm after multiple pitches, Grilli was pulled after a first pitch foul with two outs to Stephen Lombardozzi. Vin Mazzaro replaced him and got Lombardozzi to ground out to second, recording the save and securing the Pirates’ victory.
“We’ll wait and see where Grilli’s situation goes. Right now, it’s right forearm discomfort. That’s all I got, ” Hurdle added.
Gerrit Cole (4-3, 3.89 ERA) will take the hill tomorrow versus Taylor Jordan (0-2, 3.32 ERA). Game Two will begin at 7:05 PM.
NOTES: Pittsburgh improved to 58-37, 1.5 back of St. Louis after a Cardinals’ off day…Tony Watson pitched a scoreless 8th inning…Clint Barmes played in his 1000th game…Victor Black has 15 saves at AAA Indy, striking out 48 in 34 innings…Neil Walker is expected to come off the disabled list tomorrow.
