Jonathan Sanchez lasted three innings but only allowed two runs as the Pirates took the four-game series from the Braves by a 4 – 2 margin.
The Braves got on the board in the second by scratching together four straight singles by Chris Johnson, Reed Johnson, Gerald Laird, and Andrelton Simmons to make it 2 – 0. The Pirates would immediately answer back in the bottom with three straight hits of their own. Pedro Alvarez led off with a single, Russell Martin would then hit an RBI double, and Clint Barmes would record his 800th career hit and first RBI of the season to tie the game at 2.
”It was definitely nice to get that first one out of the way and to just to find a hole was a pretty good feeling, as well” said Barmes. “At this point, I’m still showing up and throwing a uniform on. It’s always exciting to hit a milestone at whatever point it is and I’ll take every one of those I got.”
The score would remain that way until the 6th when the Pirates would take the lead. Neil Walker would lead off with a single. He would then advance to second on an Alvarez fly-out to left and score on Clint Barmes’ second RBI single of the day to make it 3 – 2. They would get another run in the 7th when Travis Snider singled, moved to third by way of small-ball, and scored on a Luis Avilan wild pitch to end the scoring at 4 – 2.
The Pirate bullpen was stellar, yet again, as Jeanmar Gomez, Justin Wilson first career Win), Jared Hughes, Tony Watson, and Jason Grilli (Save No. 7) shut out the braves over the final seven innings allowing four hits and three walks while striking out eight.
“Everybody threw something in” said manager, Clint Hurdle. “Everybody got big outs. It was a very well done game out of the bullpen.”
The Pirates finish their nine-game homestand with a 7–2 record as they will now travel to Philadelphia to start a 10-game road trip.
Starters Lines:
Sanchez (ND) 3 IN, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 5 K’s. 74 Pitches (41 Strikes)
Medlen (L, 1 – 2) 6 IN, 3 R, 3 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 6 K’s, 1 HP. 99 Pitches (64 Strikes
Photo Credits: Getty Images
