A controversial call, eighth inning defensive issues and ninth inning base running cost Gerrit Cole and the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 3-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals.
Starling Marte hit what appeared to be a home run in the second inning, however after video review the play was ruled a double. The ball hit near the top row of padding in left field and then landed in the Royals bullpen. The Root Sports broadcast clearly showed Marte surprised by the call. Manager Clint Hurdle looked for an explanation.
Root Sports asked for an explanation however it was issued a “no comment” from the video replay center in New York. MLB ended up later releasing a statement which explained that the ball struck below the top of the wall and bounced over. Had the ball struck the top of the wall and bounced over than a home run would have been awarded.
Marte ended up being stranded on third base.
With one out in the eighth inning Neil Walker committed an error allowing an Omar Infante ground ball to roll through his legs. Alex Rios then singled to center field and instead of hitting the cutoff man and keeping a potential double play as an option, Andrew McCutchen fired to third. Rios advanced to second and Infante was safe at third. Jarrod Dyson then singled both runners home.
Hurdle then came out to get Cole [13-4]. Cole tapped each of his infielders on the chest before he exited the game. Arquimedes Caminero then entered and after Dyson stole third base, he scored on an Alcides Escobar single.
Greg Holland pitched the ninth inning and allowed a leadoff single to Marte. Jung Ho Kang then doubled on the first pitch he saw as his fly ball past the outstretched glove of Lorenzo Cain. Running from first, Marte was waved home by third base coach Rick Sofield and the throw easily beat the Pirates left fielder to home plate.
The Pirates did score with two outs as pinch-hitter Travis Ishikawa singled in Kang. The rally continued as Chris Stewart and Sean Rodriguez each reached base, however Holland struck out Gregory Polanco to earn his 21st save of the season.
Wade Davis [6-1] picked up the win for the Royals who used five relievers in the game because Jason Vargas left in the second inning due to injury.
In the series finale Charlie Morton [6-4 4.34 ERA] will face Edinson Volquez [8-5 3.28 ERA]. Morton is 0-1 in one career start against the Royals having lost at PNC Park on June 28, 2009 after allowing three runs in five innings. Volquez is making his first start against his former team since departing via free agency following the 2014 season.
Photo credit: Ed Zurga/Getty Images
