The last two nights have been quiet ones for Brent Morel, however in the bottom of the sixth inning, that changed.
In what could be his final at-bat before being designated for assignment– Aramis Ramirez is expected to be added to the roster this weekend — Morel hit an RBI double that scored Francisco Cervelli from first base and gave the Pittsburgh Pirates a lead that they would not relinquish, and they held on to defeat the Washington Nationals by a 7-5 score on Friday night.
“I was just battling and going into the two-strike approach and have a good at-bat really,” Morel said. “I was fortunate to come through there and give us a big run there.”
An inning earlier, with the Pirates down 4-2, pinch-hitter Jaff Decker battled Nationals starter Max Scherzer for an eight-pitch walk.
“I’m trying to be aggressive and not miss a pitch that he leaves over the plate,” Decker said. “I’m trying not to worry what he’s trying to deal with and stick to my plan and get on base. It worked for me tonight.”
Gregory Polanco stepped to the plate having reached base in 14 consecutive games, but was 0-for-2. What followed was a 12-pitch battle, which was won by Polanco, who homered over the Clemente Wall in right field to tie the game at 4-4. Scherzer threw Polanco an 82 mile-per-hour curveball.
“I was trying to fight it off, they were hard pitches, I had to stay with my approach,” Polanco said. “When I got two strikes I tried to hit the ball more to the left and tried to protect the zone.”
Neil Walker followed Polanco’s home run with a solo shot of his own on the very next pitch, clearing the seats in right-center field. It was the second ball that found the Allegheny off a Pirates’ bat.
In the bottom of the second inning, Pedro Alvarez hit his second home run in as many days. His 460-foot home run brought home Jung Ho Kang, who had singled for the first Pirates hit of the game. Alvarez’s home run cleared the right field seats and bounced into the Allegheny River. It was Alvarez’s second river ball of the season and fourth of his career.
Pirates starter Jeff Locke had a no-hitter through three innings. However, a four-run fourth inning placed the Nationals back in the lead.
Following walks to Danny Espinosa and Bryce Harper, Wilson Ramos singled to center field scoring a run. Ray Searage then made a mound visit before Locke issued his third walk of the inning and game to Ian Desmond. Tyler Moore followed with his 10th double of the season to center which scored Harper and Ramos. McCutchen’s attempted throw to third fell well short.
Locke threw 42 pitches in the fourth inning.
Scherzer appeared to be on his way to his team-leading 11th win however a three run fifth inning put the Pirates in front and gave Locke a chance at the victory instead. As Decker earned the walk followed by home runs from Polanco and Walker. Scherzer earned a no-decision and departed the game following the Pirates big inning.
“It’s really frustrating when you get that four-run inning and you’re not able to close it down,” Scherzer said. “That’s the stuff I relish and want to do for my team and I wasn’t able to do that tonight. I just didn’t locate the ball on some pitches as well as I needed to and they made me pay for it.”
Vance Worley came on in relief in the top of the sixth inning and immediately surrendered a solo home run to Desmond, his 10th of the season on a 1-1 count. The ball landed in the Nationals bullpen.
In the bottom of the sixth with one out, Cervelli came up. Early in his at-bat, he fouled a ball off his toe, and though he was checked out by trainer Ben Potenziano and Pirates manager Clint Hurdle, he was able to stay in the game and hit an opposite field single. With two outs, Morel came in to pinch-hit and his double placed the Pirates back in front. The next batter, Polanco, then came through for a second consecutive at-bat with a single, scoring Morel and giving Polanco 3 RBIs.
“I’m getting comfortable and trying to make my swing shorter and drive the ball and put the barrel to the ball,” said Polanco.
Jared Hughes pitched the seventh inning and allowed two runners reached base with two outs. With the announced crowd of 38,371 doing the wave, Hughes struck out Ramos on a 2-2 sinker to end the threat.
Tony Watson pitched a clean eighth inning and earned his 22nd hold of the season.
Mark Melancon pitched the ninth inning and allowed a lead0ff bunt single, but a double play and a ground ball ended the inning and allowed Melancon to regain the league lead in saves with 31. He earned his club-record 29th consecutive save opportunity that was successfully converted. He entered the evening with a 0.24 ERA in his last 38 appearances and has now made 21 straight scoreless appearances at PNC Park.
Vance Worley [4-5] picked up the win, while Sammy Solis [1-1] was saddled with the loss.
“We needed to get some work done… guys went up there did the best they could and we battled,” Hurdle said. “It was fun to watch.”
The four-game series continues Saturday night as A.J. Burnett [8-3 2.44 ERA] will take on Gio Gonzalez [7-4 3.93 ERA].
Photo courtesy: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images
