The speed of Andrew McCutchen and the power of Russell Martin helped push the Pirates past the Phillies 6-3 Wednesday night to keep their 1 1/2 game lead in the National League Wild Card race.
With the Pirates (76-69) trailing the Phillies 3-2 in the fifth inning, Andrew McCutchen showed everyone his rib injury isn’t affecting him as he hit a deep fly that hit off of the heightened wall in left-center field. The ball took an odd bounce towards center allowing McCutchen and his speed to complete the 360 foot journey standing up in a little over 15 seconds for an inside-the-park home run to tie the game. Two batters later, Russell Martin hit a Jerome Williams first pitch fastball of the park to give the Pirates the lead for good.
Williams had a rough start to his night before settling down until the fifth. He plunked Josh Harrison and Starling Marte to start the game off. McCutchen followed with a single to load the bases and Martin scored two on a lined single to left. Williams then allowed only two singles over the next three innings before the two home runs in the fifth.
The Phillies (67-78) took the lead on Pirates starter Vance Worley in the fourth. Ryan Howard walked to start the inning and moved to second on a Cody Asche one out infield single. Both moved up 90 feet on a Freddy Galvis two out walk and Williams helped himself out with a 2 RBI single to right field to take a 3-2 lead.
Worley recovered to throw a perfect fifth inning to qualify for his seventh win of the season. The bullpen then took over with Bobby LaFromboise, John Holdzkom, Tony Watson and Mark Melancon (Save # 28) throwing four perfect innings with six total strikeouts to close things out.
Harrison and Marte each added an RBI in the sixth inning for insurance purposes.
Final Score: Pirates 6, Phillies 3.
The win accompanied with a Cardinals loss puts the Pirates only 3 1/2 games out of first place in the National League Central. The Brewers, Giants and Braves all won keeping the Wild Card picture the same.
Starters Lines
Worley (W, 7-4): 5 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3ER, 2 BB, 4 K’s, 1 WP. 92 Pitches (54 Strikes).
Williams (L, 5-6): 5 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 8 K’s, 2 HBP, 2 HR. 91 Pitches (62 Strikes).
The Pirates will look to take the four-game series tomorrow night.
Tomorrow’s Starters
(LHP) Francisco Liriano (PIT): 4-10, 3.74 ERA
(RHP) A.J. Burnett (PHI): 8-15, 4.29 ERA
First pitch is set for 7:05.
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(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
