Francisco Liriano was unable to play stopper as he allowed nine runs –seven earned– over four-plus innings of work as the Braves extended the Pirates losing streak to seven with a 11-3 victory over the Bucs on Tuesday night.
The Braves (66-60) jumped on Liriano early and often as they scattered five runs against him over 4 innings of work. Justin Upton provided most of the damage with a three run home run to left in the third. Aaron Harang and Jason Hayward also provided RBI.
The Braves knocked Liriano out of the game in the fifth after loading the bases with and no out and a run across. Brandon Cumpton then came in and allowed 2-RBI singles to Jason Heyward and Justin Upton to extend the Braves lead.
“I was just missing my spot a lot and it was one of those nights where anything I threw, they were going to hit it,” said Liriano. “I just have to put this one behind me and get ready for my next start.”
Aaron Harang went into the ninth holding the Pirates to three runs on nine hits. The only real threat coming in the back end of his start inning up 10-2. With runners on the corners and one out in the eighth, Andrew McCutchen grounded into a double play to end the inning. The Pirates then knocked him from the game with one out in the ninth with a double, single and RBI single by Ike Davis.
Harang allowed more than one batter on base only twice in the game in the eighth and ninth innings.
“Tonight there might have been a couple times where we could have pushed Harang more and we weren’t able to do that,” said manager Clint Hurdle. “He’s a guy that I think a lot of people take for granted, but if you look at the volume of work this year, he has thrown some very good ballgames and he’s pitched deep into ballgames.”
Andrew McCutchen went 0-for-4 in his return to the lineup while Jordy Mercer went 1-for-3 with a single. McCutchen said he “felt good” after the game and experienced no setbacks.
“This is all about the beauty and the challenge of a 162 game season and it’s up to us to get it turned back around,” said Hurdle.
Starters Lines
Liriano (L, 3-10): 4+ IP, 10 H, 9 R, 7 ER, 3 BB, 4 K’s, 1 HR. 88 Pitches (55 Strikes).
Harang (W, 10-7): 8 1/3 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 K’s. 114 Pitches (77 Strikes).
The Pirates will look to salvage a game in the series tomorrow night.
Tomorrow’s Starters
(RHP) Gerrit Cole (PIT): 7-4, 3.78 ERA
(LHP) Alex Wood (ATL): 9-9, 3.07 ERA
First pitch is set for 7:05.
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(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
