Neil Walker leaped and was able to track down a Yadier Molina line drive that looked to be a sure two run double. What followed next was the first 4-5-4 triple play in Major League Baseball history.
“That was fun to watch,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “I’m not sure [Jung-ho] Kang [was ready for it] at the end, I was just hoping he didn’t flip the ball up into the stands. We got his attention in time to finish it off, there’s a lot of confusion that can go on. Everybody was in there yelling to him in multiple languages.”
The Pirates beat the NL Central leading St. Louis Cardinals by a 7-5 score in front of a sellout crowd of 38,068. This was the second sellout of the season.
For the third consecutive game, it was the Pirates who scored first and it was a three-run second inning for them. Pedro Alvarez led off the inning with a walk. Jung-ho Kang continued the inning with a single. He scored on a wild pitch during Jordy Mercer’s at-bat. Mercer then hit an RBI ground out. The next batter was pitcher Vance Worley who recorded his second hit of the season with a double.
“I was just looking for a pitch in the zone, didn’t try to do too much of it and swung,” Worley said.
In the second inning, the Cardinals threatened with both Jhonny Peralta and Jason Heyward reaching base. Molina then came up to the plate and lined out to Walker who threw on to Kang. Kang initially thought this was the end of the inning but threw the ball back to Walker to ensure the triple play.
“It was very emotional,” said Worley. “After the ball was caught I didn’t know what Walker was going to do with it but it was very exciting. It’s very awesome to see in person and be a part of it.”
The Cardinals would not be denied in the fourth inning scoring all five of their runs and batting around the lineup.
Kolten Wong led off with a single, a feat matched by the next batter Matt Holliday. After a fielder’s choice on a Matt Adams grounder, Peralta picked up his second RBI of the series with a single. Heyward then doubled down the right field line and Molina added a double of his own.
Worley was removed from the game after five innings allowing five runs on nine hits and walking three in 83 pitches 54 of which were strikes.
Rob Scahill [1-2] pitched a clean sixth inning and ultimately earned the win. It was his first since Jul. 30.
The Pirates came back with a three run bottom of the sixth inning. Sean Rodriguez who replaced Starling Marte in the fourth inning singled and Alvarez worked a full count walk. Cervelli then walked loading the bases. This ended Carlos Martinez’s [3-1] night. Mercer then picked up another two RBI with a double off the wall off new pitcher Seth Maness. Mercer clapped his hands on the base after the hit.
“It’s good personally but it’s even better for the team, that’s what I was clapping for,” Mercer said. “We showed a lot of character today getting out on a lead, they scored five on us and we bounced back.”
Pinch-hitter Corey Hart then flew out. Cervelli scored although Mercer got caught in a rundown. Mercer got stuck in the rundown long enough to ensure that Cervelli crossed home before a tag was made.
Jared Hughes and Tony Watson pitched shutout seventh and eighth innings respectively. Mark Melancon picked up the save his sixth of the season. It also was his 55th save as a Pirate which puts him one behind Bill Landrum for eighth in team history.
Each Pirates starting position player reached base except Marte who was removed from the game after three innings because of severe dizziness.
This series concludes Sunday when Jeff Locke [2-2 4.85 ERA] takes on Tyler Lyons [0-0 6.23 ERA]. Locke is 2-2 with a 3.76 ERA in five career starts against the Cardinals. Lyons has made three career appearances against the Pirates, two of which are starts and he is 0-2 with a 4.20 ERA over the course of 15 innings.
Photo courtesy: Gene J. Puskar/AP
