The pressure was on the Pittsburgh Pirates as a loss would result in a drop to third place in the National League Central. Instead, the Pirates defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers Saturday night by a 3-2 score.
It has not been an easy week for the Pirates as the team lost four in a row and could not defeat Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta and Zack Greinke. Saturday, the Pirates drew Clayton Kershaw.
An eighth inning Aramis Ramirez double, allowed for the Pirates to defeat Kershaw [14-7]. Kershaw entered play with a 2.12 ERA, however in two starts against the Pirates this season, his ERA is 4.84.
One Pirate was able accomplish a milestone, as Mark Melancon earned his 47th save of the season, a single-season best for the team while extending his Major League-lead in the statistic.
“It’s really special but it’s a team effort,” Melancon said to Root Sports following the game. “I get the S but all of those guys [the bullpen] got me here. You have to win to get that S and boy these guys are playing hard.”
Francisco Liriano [11-7] got the win and at one point set down 16 Dodgers in a row.
“Frankie pitched an outstanding game,” manager Clint Hurdle said to assembled media after the game. “There were two really strong pitching performances and Frankie gave us just what we needed.”
Things unraveled a bit for him in the seventh inning as the Dodgers scored a run to tie the contest at two. Adrian Gonzalez led off the inning with a single to end Liriano’s 16 consecutive batters retired streak. Alex Guerrero then grounded into a fielder’s choice, a ball Jordy Mercer attempted to turn into a double play. The inability to do so haunted the Pirates later in the inning.
Corey Seager walked on a 3-2 pitch which pitch tracker showed was strike three. The next batter, A.J. Ellis, hit a first pitch changeup just past Ramirez’s outstretched glove allowing Guerrero to score.
Ray Searage paid Liriano a mound visit after he intentionally walked Chris Heisey to set up a potential inning-ending double play. Hurdle elected to keep his starting pitcher in the game, and the move paid off as pinch-hitter Austin Barnes grounded into the double play.
“The way he pitched tonight, it was his game,” said Hurdle.
For the fifth time in six games, the Pirates allowed a first inning run as Howie Kendrick singled in Justin Ruggiano.
The Pirates took a 2-1 lead, when Andrew McCutchen doubled in Jordy Mercer and Liriano giving him 95 RBI on the season. This was the first time the Pirates led in 17.2 innings.
Gregory Polanco led off the eighth with a double, his 30th of the season and this knocked Kershaw out of the game. Pinch-hitter Neil Walker advanced Polanco to third with a ground out against Chris Hatcher, the new Dodgers pitcher.
Hatcher elected to intentionally walk McCutchen to set up a double play, however the move backfired as Ramirez picked up the go-ahead RBI with his 29th double of the season. Hatcher then elected to intentionally walk Marte setting up another double play opportunity. Sean Rodriguez hit a ground ball which just crossed home plate. Rodriguez thought the ball was foul and remained in the box as Ellis stepped on home plate to record one out before throwing on to first base to complete the double play.
Tony Watson pitched the eighth and with one out, Ruggiano hit a ball to deep right field. Polanco was able to run down the ball as his momentum carried him to the wall where he was greeted by some Pirates fans who acknowledged his effort.
Melancon retired the side in order as part of a 10-pitch ninth inning.
The Pirates now have 88 wins which ties last season’s mark and the team’s magic number to clinch a playoff spot is four games. Watson recorded his 37th hold of the season, a league-best.
This victory places the Pirates within four games of the St. Louis Cardinals for the NL Central lead. The Cardinals clinched a playoff berth earlier Saturday. The Chicago Cubs remain a game behind the Pirates for the top NL Wild Card Spots.
Sunday, the Pirates will give Gerrit Cole [16-8 2.60 ERA] the ball against Mike Bolsinger [6-3 3.13 ERA]. Cole is 2-0 with a 4.50 ERA in three career starts against the Dodgers.
Photo credit: Chris Carlson/AP Photo
