Vance Worley pitched like a man trying to keep his job as he went the distance shutting the Giants out in a Pirates 5-0 victory on Monday night.
Worley had a perfect game through four innings until Pablo Sandoval broke it up with a leadoff single to start the fifth. He would be erased by a highlight-reel double play where Jordy Mercer ranged to his left and flipped the ball to Neil Walker with his glove. Walker barehanded the ball while leaning away from the base and immediately spun around and threw a strike to Gaby Sanchez to complete the double play.
Worley allowed baserunners in the next two innings, but both were erased –one by caught stealing and one by double play. He faced two batters over the minimum while only throwing 100 pitches — one pitch too many for a Maddux — for the Pirates first complete game shutout of the season.
The Pirates were able to get to Madison Bumgarner right away in the first loading the bases with no out. Gaby Sanchez, Walker, Russell Martin and Gregory Polanco then recorded RBI for a quick 4-0 lead.
Josh Harrison added a solo home run in the second to finish the scoring.
Final Score: Pirates 5, Giants 0.
The win puts the Pirates two games behind the Brewers for first place in the NL Central.
Starters Lines
Worley (W, 4-1): CG, SHO, 4 H, 1 BB, 3 K’s. 100 Pitches (71 Strikes).
Bumgarner (L, 12-8): 4 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 K’s, 1 HR. 90 Pitches (62 Strikes).
The Pirates will look to take the series tomorrow evening.
Tomorrow’s Starters
(LHP) Francisco Liriano (PIT): 2-7, 4.18 ERA
(RHP) Tim Hudson (SF): 8-7, 2.65 ERA
First pitch is set for 10:15 EST.
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(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
