Eric Fryer donned the Pittsburgh Pirates catching gear for the first time since Sept. 10, 2012, and put forth his most effective offensive performance in the Major Leagues in five years as he helped his team come from behind to defeat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-2 Tuesday night.
This victory is the Pirates’ sixth in a row and the fifth during the streak that’s happened in come-from-behind fashion. The Pirates are now 43-41 on the season.
Fryer burned his former team with a career-high three RBI performance on a 2-for-4 day at the plate. In the fifth inning, he came up with one out against Cardinals’ starter Mike Leake and recorded an RBI single on an 0-1 single, which scored Pirates second baseman Josh Harrison and tied the game, 2-2.
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An inning later, Fryer doubled in third baseman David Freese and shortstop Jordy Mercer on a 2-1 sinker from Leake (5-7).
Lefty Steven Brault made his Major League debut Tuesday for the Pirates — and recorded his first career hit — but was undone by a high pitch count. Brault departed after four innings and 82 pitches. He allowed two runs, one of which was earned, while walking two batters and striking out another five.
Reliever Juan Nicasio (7-6) picked up the win, throwing two scoreless innings. He allowed a hit but struck out three batters and got two others to ground out. When Nicasio was moved to the bullpen, his ERA was 5.83; with Tuesday’s outing, it’s now 5.27. In 8.1 innings in the bullpen, he’s allowed just one run on three hits — while striking out seven batters.
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Closer Mark Melancon allowed a hit, but he struck out two batters in the ninth inning, earning him his 25th save of the season.
Injury update
A trio of injured Pirates advanced in their progression toward a full recovery.
Catcher Francisco Cervelli (broken left hamate bone) caught and hit off hitting coach Jeff Branson, who was pitching left-handed. Starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (right triceps strain) struck out six batters in three innings as part of a rehab start with Triple-A Indianapolis. He threw 45 pitches, 30 of which were strikes. Pitcher Ryan Vogelsong (facial fractures) threw 61 pitches in a simulated game through four innings — Cervelli caught the outing.
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Up next
Jeff Locke (8-5, 5.13 ERA) will throw for the Pirates against the Cardinals’ Jaime Garcia (6-6, 3.84 ERA). Locke is 2-4 with a 4.04 ERA in nine career starts against the Cardinals. He’s won each of his last three starts and seven of his past nine.
Image credit: Jeff Curry/USA TODAY Sports
