Edinson Volquez threw six solid innings of one run ball and the Pirate offense but up another complete effort as they swept the Tigers in the Pittsburgh portion of a four-game home-and-home series with a 4-2 victory on Tuesday night.
Volquez didn’t have the most efficient start to his evening allowing three one out hits in the first inning to put the Tigers (63-54) ahead 1-0. With runners still on first and third, Victor Martinez sent a chopper back up the middle. Volquez — who was looking away from the ball — stabbed his glove in the direction of the ball where it stuck in his glove. He then quickly threw home to get the runner breaking for the plate.
“I have no idea how I caught that ball,” said Volquez. “I found out I got the ball when the ball hit my glove and I turned around and was supposed to throw to second base, but I was surprised the ball came back to me and I threw it home.”
The highlight reel web gem seemed to calm Volquez down as he allowed two hits, one being an Alex Avila solo home run in the fourth, over his final five innings of work while walking two.
“I just tried to stay focused in what I tried to do and try to keep the ball down,” said Volquez. “That was a pretty good team right there. I was able to keep my sinker down and get a lot of ground balls.”
The Pirates bullpen was even more effective than Volquez as Justin Wilson and Tony Watson worked perfect innings while recording a strikeout each. Watson’s strikeout was a big one as he worked Miguel Cabrera to a 3-0 count before fighting back to get a swinging strikeout. Mark Melancon worked the ninth and allowed the tying run to reach base with one out on back-to-back hits before getting a fly out to right and a groundout to third to end things.
The Pirates (64-55) took the lead for good in the second inning when Russell Martin led the inning off with a double and Gaby Sanchez knocked him home with a double for himself. Travis Snider followed with a routine fly ball to the left center field gap where Rajai Davis and Ezequiel Carrera miscommunicated allowing the ball to drop, Sanchez to score and Snider to reach second safely.
Jordy Mercer contributed the game winning RBI with a single in the third and Ike Davis added insurance with a pinch-hit RBI double in the sixth.
Final Score: Pirates 4, Tigers 2.
Pirate fans came out in forces as PNC Park averages 33,464 over the eight game homestand.
“Our guys love playing in front of our fans,” said manager Clint Hurdle. “We love watching them respond to our guys when they play, when they do well and Edinson coming off the mound. They take care of their pitchers when they come off and standing up. It’s special. It’s what you envision it to be and it’s great here.”
Starters Lines
Volquez (W, 10-7): 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K’s, 1 HR. 104 Pitches (64 Strikes).
Ray (L, 1-2): 5+ IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 K’s, 1 WP. 94 Pitches (56 Strikes).
The series now moves to Detroit as the third game of the four-game set begins tomorrow night.
Tomorrow’s Starters
(RHP) Vance Worley (PIT): 5-1, 2.30 ERA
(RHP) Buck Farmer (DET): Major League Debut
First pitch is set for 7:08.
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(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
