Jordy Mercer continued to be among the most productive National League shortstops in recent weeks, hitting a game-winning walk-off double in the bottom of the 11th in a 4-2 victory for the Pittsburgh Pirates (51-46) over the struggling Colorado Rockies (40-57).
Charlie Morton tossed seven strong innings, but left trailing 2-1 after allowing a two-run home run to Carlos Gonzalez, his only blemish on the evening. Morton (5-9) allowed five hits, walked one and struck out three. He ended up with a no-decision on the night because Neil Walker drove home Josh Harrison in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game at 2-2, letting Morton off the hook.
The tying run came off Rockies relievers Adam Ottavino and Tommy Kahnle, adding to bullpen woes for the NL West’s worst club. The unit soiled a fine effort by start Brett Anderson (0-3), who made just his fifth start of the season and his third since returning from a three-month stint on the DL. He was denied his first win of the season despite seven innings and one run on four hits, a walk and eight strikeouts. He had only nine in his other four appearances entering the evening.
The only run Anderson allowed was due to back-to-back doubles by Walker and Gaby Sanchez in the fourth. The Gonzalez home run gave Colorado a short-lived lead before Walker’s hit scored Harrison to tie the game. Andrew McCutchen was thrown out at home plate trying to gain a 3-2 advantage for Pittsburgh at the time.
Mark Melancon and Justin Wilson pitched a scoreless ninth and tenth, respectively, and Jared Hughes threw a scoreless eleventh that ended on a nifty line drive double play hit right to Hughes, who doubled off a runner at third base to end a Rockies scoring threat.
In the home half of the last inning, Walker singled for his third hit of the day and was bunted into scoring position by pinch hitter Chris Stewart. Pedro Alvarez was then intentionally walked before Mercer hit the walk-off on a well-struck line drive past diving center fielder Charlie Blackmon. Hughes (5-2) earned the win and Chad Bettis (0-2) took the loss for Colorado.
Pittsburgh can complete a sweep to start the second half of the season Sunday afternoon at 1:35 when Jeff Locke (2-1) takes the mound. Lefty Tyler Matzek (1-4) will be the third consecutive southpaw to take on the Pirates lineup. The Pirates are now tied for third place in the crowded NL Central with Cincinnati, only 2.5 games back of Milwaukee and St. Louis.
