Pittsburgh– Charlie Morton pitched six innings of one-run ball and Gregory Polanco hit his third career home run as the Pirates defeated the Diamondbacks 5-1 on Wednesday night.
The Pirates (44-40) got off to a fast start in the first against Diamondbacks starter Chase Anderson when Gregory Polanco hit a double off the Clemente Wall. The ball was misplayed by Gerardo Parra allowing Polanco to reach third. Starling Marte then knocked him in with a groundout to short.
The Pirates added on in the second when Pedro Alvarez and Jordy Mercer started the inning off with singles. Morton tried to put a bunt down, but the ball died in front of the catcher resulting in a 2-5-4 double play. The inning wasn’t a total bust however, as Polanco followed by golfing an ankle-high curveball into the Clemente seats to make it 3-0.
“I just stayed with the ball,” said Polanco. “It was a breaking ball, so I just stayed with it and hit it like a golf ball.”
Morton started off allowing four baserunners through two innings, but like Locke the day before, no damage was done. The Diamondbacks (35-51) were able to crack the scoreboard in the third. Paul Goldschmidt singled with one out and advanced to second on a swinging bunt. Aaron Hill followed with a RBI single to make it 3-1.
Morton recovered to retire nine of the final eleven batters he faced. Justin Wilson, Tony Watson and Mark Melancon (Save #16) each worked a scoreless inning to close things out.
When I got into a tight spot I made some good pitches,” said Morton. “I really didn’t get ahead of guys. I think when I did get in a situation where some pitches had to be made, I made some pretty good pitches.”
The Pirates are now four game above .500 for the first time this season and are six games behind the first place Brewers. They trail the Nationals for the second wild card spot by two games.
“We had a bad April and we dug a hole,” said manager Clint Hurdle. “We’ve been digging out and that’s all we’re doing right now is digging out.”
Worth Noting: Andrew McCutchen was removed from the game before the ninth after fouling a ball off of his foot in his at bat in the eighth inning. He continued the at bat and hit an RBI single which could have been an easy double had it not been for the injury. He was seen in the locker room after the game with an ice bag wrapped around his left foot.
“Looks like his left foot hurts,” said Hurdle. “That’s all I got.”
Final Score: Pirates 5, Diamondbacks 1
Starters Lines
Morton (W, 5-9): 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K’s, 1 WP. 93 Pitches (58 Strikes).
Anderson (L, 5-4): 3 2/3 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K’s, 1 HR. 88 Pitches (53 Strikes).
The Pirates will look for the three-game sweep tomorrow evening.
Tomorrow’s Starters
(RHP) Vance Worley (PIT): 2-0, 1.74 ERA
(RHP) Brandon McCarthy (AZ): 2-10, 5.11 ERA
First pitch is set for 7:05.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
