Gerrit Cole provided another quality start and the offense produced timely hitting as the Pirates (24-29) took the first game of a four-game set from the Dodgers (29-26) 6-3.
The Pirates used most of their lineup to get the job done as five different players scored and recorded RBI’s in the contest via the long-ball and small-ball.
Pedro Alvarez started the scoring with a solo home run to right in the second to tie things at one and Russell Martin hit one out in the sixth with the game tied. The trio of Clint Barmes — who went 3-for-4 on the night –, Gerrit Cole and Josh Harrison provided most of the offense as Barmes singled, Cole sacrificed him to second and Harrison singled him home twice in the contest. The first time coming in the fifth to tie the game at two and the second time coming in the seventh to give the Bucs a 4-3 lead.
Neil Walker then singled and Gaby Sanchez provided a pinch-hit double off of Paul Maholm for some insurance in the seventh.
Cole did what was needed of him going 6 1/3 innings of solid baseball while allowing the three runs. Yasiel Puig hit a bloop double over the head of Neil Walker in the first, Dee Gordon singled up the middle for a RBI in the second and Hanley Ramirez followed a Puig double with a RBI single in the sixth.
Tony Watson, Mark Melancon and Jason Grilli (Save #6) threw 2 2/3 innings of no-hit ball to close things out in a game that the Pirates really needed after a disappointing series in New York.
The win snaps a nine-game losing streak in Chavez Ravine.
Final Score: Pirates 6, Dodgers 3.
Starters Lines
Cole (W, 5-3): 6 1/3 IN, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K’s. 88 Pitches (57 Strikes).
Haren (ND): 6 IN, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 K’s, 2 HR. 97 Pitches (62 Strikes).
These two will be back at it tomorrow night in the second game of the four-game set.
Tomorrow’s Starters
(LHP) Francisco Liriano (PIT): 0-5, 5.06 ERA
(RHP) Josh Beckett (LAD): 3-1, 2.43 ERA (1st start since his no-hitter against the Phillies.)
First pitch is set for 10:10.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
