The Pirates scored eight runs over the final two innings to comeback and defeat the Diamondbacks 9-4 on Friday night.
Down 4-1 with one out in the eighth, the Pirates (58-51) started the comeback. Josh Harrison tripled and scored on an Andrew McCutchen RBI double. Pedro Alvarez then hit a pinch-hit 2 RBI double to tie things at four. They would be far from done as they put five more runs up in the top of the ninth. Jordy Mercer gave the Pirates the lead with a RBI double. Michael Martinez, Russell Martin and Travis Snider added with RBI hits to put the game out of reach.
Ernesto Frieri worked a scoreless ninth to close things out. His only blemish in the inning was a HBP to Paul Goldschmidt. The benches cleared postgame apparently due to the Goldschmidt incident, but no major scuffle occured.
Edinson Volquez was solid through four innings before experiencing location issues in the fifth. After allowing a single and HBP, Volquez served up a belt-high fastball to Ender Inciarte, who deposited the ball over the right field fence for a Diamondbacks (48-62) 3-0 lead. Volquez then walked David Peralta, who stole second and advanced to third on a Martin throwing error. He later scored on a Volquez wild pitch.
Tony Watson recorded his team-leading eighth victory with a perfect eighth inning.
Final Score: Pirates 9, Diamondbacks 4.
Starters Lines
Volquez (ND): 5 2/3 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K’s, 1 HR, 1 WP, 1 HBP. 100 Pitches (64 Strikes).
Nuno (ND): 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K’s. 91 Pitches (55 Strikes).
The Pirates will look to lock up at least a series split tomorrow evening.
Tomorrow’s Starters
(RHP) Vance Worley (PIT): 4-1, 2.54 ERA
(RHP) Chase Anderson (ARI): 6-4, 3.34 ERA
First pitch is set for 8:10 EST.
Follow @TBerardi_OVA
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
