The Pittsburgh Pirates appeared to have run away from the Los Angeles Angels after a five-run seventh inning, but the visitors plated four right after, and it was game on once again.
Despite this comeback, the Pirates came away with an 8-7 victory Saturday night.
Jeff Locke (5-3) helped the Pirates end a four-game losing streak, pitching seven innings and allowing no walks for the second consecutive start.
The Angels struck first for the second game in a row as Kole Calhoun hit a home run, his sixth of the game.
Nick Tropeano was scratched from this start and Jhoulys Chacin pitched in his place.
Jung Ho Kang put the Pirates in the lead with a two-run home run in the second inning. It was Kang’s eighth home run of the season.
After a Yunel Escobar RBI double to tie the game, Chacin struggled with his control.
Chacin was pitching on regular rest but walked four batters in five innings. One of those walks came to Andrew McCutchen and brought a run home.
In the sixth inning, Shane Robinson tied the game with his first homer of the season, a solo shot to left field.
Gregory Polanco broke the tie in the seventh inning and did not waste anytime doing so. His ninth home run of the season came on the first pitch Fernando Salas (2-2) threw.
It started a string of five Pirates runs which scored in the inning.
Josh Harrison added a single and Matt Joyce hit his sixth home run, a three-run home run to centerfield off Greg Mahle.
Tony Watson pitched the eighth inning and was able to get one out before departing. Watson was responsible for four earned runs on three hits.
Both Escobar and Calhoun drove in runs and Johnny Giavotella’s fielder’s choice put the Angels within an 8-6 score.
When Watson was pulled, Neftali Perez entered. Carlos Perez doubled in a run, charged to Watson, before the Pirates got out of the inning.
With the Pirates in a one-run game, Mark Melancon pitched the ninth inning and earned his 17th save of the season.
The third and deciding game of this series will be played Sunday afternoon. Gerrit Cole (5-4, 2.72 ERA) will face Hector Santiago (3-3, 4.96 ERA). Cole is 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA in his lone career start against the Angels.
Photo credit: @Pirates
