In 2014 Pittsburgh Pirates fans were used to giving Edinson Volquez standing ovations. Wednesday night however, it happened at Kauffman Stadium and for the opposing Kansas City Royals following a 5-1 victory.
The Pirates and Charlie Morton [6-4] were undone by a four-run seventh inning.
In the inning, catcher Salvador Perez led off with a walk. It appeared as though the big inning would be avoided on the next play as Omar Infante’s sacrifice bunt attempt was quickly read by Travis Ishikawa who threw to second and got Perez out. This however ended up being a temporary reprieve.
Alex Rios following the Infante at-bat with a single advancing the lead runner to third base. Jarrod Dyson also attempted a bunt which Ishikawa again fielded quickly. The Pirates first baseman, made the throw home to Chris Stewart however Infante was ruled safe and the call repeated when Stewart tried a tag again in case Infante missed the base.
Manager Clint Hurdle discussed the play with the umpires and the play ended up going under review. After further review the call stood.
Morton looked as though he would get out of the inning with minimal damage after striking out Alcides Escobar, however once again the momentum was short lived as Mike Moustakas hit a three-run home run his 10th of the season. He did so on a 3-0 count with a pitch that was in the high and inside portion of the strike zone. Morton was then removed from the game and Antonio Bastardo got the last out.
The Pirates scored first in the top of the third inning when Neil Walker hit a sacrifice fly which scored Jaff Decker who led off the inning with a walk.
Eric Hosmer responded in the fourth inning with a one-out home run, his ninth of the season which tied the score at one.
Morton’s loss is his third in four starts. Volquez improved to 9-5 on the season.
The Pirates will return home following a 1-5 road trip to play a four-game series against the National League East leading Washington Nationals.
Francisco Liriano [5-6 2.98 ERA] will face Doug Fister [3-5 4.30 ERA]. Liriano was cleared for the start after missing his last outing with neck tightness. He has a 1-2 record with a 4.42 ERA in three career starts against the Nationals.
Of note: Prior to Wednesday’s game, the Pirates called up Pedro Florimon while Wilfredo Boscan will be sent back down to Triple-A Indianapolis. Florimon was in contention for the final major league roster spot in Spring Training and will be used to improve depth at third base and shortstop with Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer both currently injured. To allow Florimon onto the 40-man roster the Pirates designated Jayson Aquino for assignment. Aquino was acquired in May during a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Photo courtesy: Ed Zurga/Getty Images
