It took a while for Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer to hit his first home run of the season, however his second came in Wednesday’s 5-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants and represented the winning run.
This is the first Pirates sweep in San Francisco since May 14-16 2004 and the third sweep in the past four series. The Pirates have won 11 of their past 13 games and at 29-24 are a season best five games above .500.
As was the case in the first two games, it was the Giants who scored first as Joe Panik singled on a line drive to left field which scored pitcher Tim Hudson. Hudson [3-5] hit a ground-rule double earlier in the third inning.
The Pirates scored single runs in the fourth and fifth innings.
In the fourth Andrew McCutchen and Neil Walker each hit one-out singles. After a Pedro Alvarez line out, Jose Tabata came to the plate. Tabata made his second start of the season in this game and his single to center field scored McCutchen.
Mercer’s home run came on a 1-1 center that was sent over the wall in left-center field.
After allowing the run on three hits in the third inning, Pirates starter Francisco Liriano [3-4] settled down allowing two base runners in his other six innings of work. Liriano also struck out six batters in his 102 pitches, 68 of which were strikes.
Jared Hughes pitched the eighth inning and allowed two singles to open the game. Angel Pagan then stepped to the plate and lined out on a ball caught by a leaping Mercer. Mercer then raced to second base doubling up Nori Aoki. One batter later Buster Posey grounded out to first base ending the threat.
The Pirates added an additional three runs in the ninth inning. With former Pirate Hunter Strickland on the mound, Tabata singled. Starling Marte then pinch-ran and stolen second. He advanced to third during the same sequence when Giants catcher Andrew Susac committed a throwing error. Francisco Cervelli singled him home and knocked Strickland out of the game.
Sergio Romo then came on in relief and Mercer would double, once again on a 1-1 pitch. Jung Ho Kang then came in to pinch-hit and Romo fell behind 3-0. After getting two strikes Romo threw a 79 mile-per-hour slider which Kang was able to hit for a two-run double. The hit snapped an 0-for-14 hitless streak.
Rob Scahill came in to pitch the ninth however allowed three one-out singles and was removed from the game. He was replaced by Mark Melancon who recorded two ground ball outs, one of which scored a run. Melancon earned his 16th save in 17 opportunities.
The Pirates are off Thursday however they will begin a three-game road series with the Atlanta Braves Friday when Charlie Morton [2-0 1.93 ERA] takes on Williams Perez [1-0 2.66]. Morton is 0-2 with a 2.57 ERA against his former team.
Of note: Radhames Liz has cleared waivers and will report to Triple-A Indianapolis. Liz was designated for assignment so that Morton could rejoin the Pirates. Manager Clint Hurdle doubted that this would be the end result of the 10-day process. Liz is 1-3 with a 3.63 ERA in his time this season with the Pirates,
Photo courtesy: Eric Risberg/AP
