Gregory Polanco had a .170 average batting 15-for-88 against left-handed pitching. That did not matter.
“He held his ground, got some good looks, took some pitches,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “Basically he got a pitch and just went with it, he didn’t do too much and stayed within himself. It was a really good at-bat.”
Polanco’s single off Phil Coke provided the go-ahead run in a 5-4 victory against the Chicago Cubs which ensured the Pittsburgh Pirates a series split.
“It arguably was one of the best team wins since I’ve been here with what we had and what we went out with and how we were able to battle,” said Hurdle.
The Cubs struck first in the second inning with a 2-run triple for Jonathan Herrera who hit a fly ball that left fielder Sean Rodriguez was unable to track down.
Rodriguez did hit his first home run of the season on a 2-1 pitch that was deposited into the Pirates bullpen.
Addison Russell recorded his first career RBI with a double to right field in the fourth inning.
Jeff Locke struggled with his command in the fifth inning loading the bases with one out. He walked in a run with a walk to Bryant. He then got Starlin Castro to ground into a double play, a sequence Hurdle said may have cost the Pirates the game were it not to happen.
“It’s funny because you don’t really always think about needing a play to be made in the fifth inning to help give your team a chance to win,” Locke said. “An inning can explode at any time.”
Locke was removed from the game after five innings allowing seven hits, four runs, three walks and seven strikeouts in 93 pitches.
Josh Harrison opened the sixth inning with a double and advanced to third on Andrew Lambo’s ground out. Harrison scored on a Polanco double which removed Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks from the game.
Edwin Jackson entered the game and he battled Neil Walker for eight innings and lost as the Pirates drew within one on a single. Jordy Mercer would tie the game in his first start since Sunday with a single of his own.
Harrison once again doubled in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Cubs brought in Coke who intentionally walked pinch hitter Corey Hart. This was done because of Polanco’s batting average against left-handed pitching. Polanco battled back from 0-2 down in the count to get the go-ahead single.
Radhames Liz pitched the sixth and seventh innings allowing one hit and striking out two batters.
“Any success breeds and bodes confidence for any player,” Hurdle said. “For Radhames today that was what we needed, what he needed. It was very timely.”
Arquimedes Caminero pitched the eighth inning and struck out an additional two batters.
Mark Melancon came in to close the game and earned his third save of the season.
The Pirates now will take to the road as part of a 9-game road trip. They will face the Arizona Diamondbacks over the weekend. Gerrit Cole [2-0 2.65 ERA] will face Josh Collmenter [1-2 3.38 ERA] Friday in a game set to begin at 9:40 p.m. EST.
Notebook:
Andrew Lambo made his second start of the season in Thursday’s game and made some hard contact to the opposite field. His first inning fly ball required a diving catch by Chris Denorfia, his hit was a single to left field and his final plate appearance was a ground ball to second that advanced a runner 90 feet to third base.
“I’ve been having great at-bats and you can’t get hung up on results over here, especially at this level, you’ve just got to feel,” Lambo said. “I’ve just not been getting the results, but the more you continue to stay stubborn, stay hard headed and stay positive, good things are going to happen.”
Photo credit: Keith Srakocic/AP
