The Pirates have had their share of bad breaks over the course of the 2014 season and on Thursday night they finally had one fall their way as they held on to defeat the Red Sox 3-2.
With the Pirates (82-70) leading 3-2 in the ninth, the Red Sox (66-87) were able to put runners on the corners against Bucs closer Mark Melancon with no out. What happened next may have changed the complexion of the playoff race. Will Middlebrooks hit a grounder down the third base line. The ball then hit pinch-runner Jemile Weeks — who was diving back to third base in fair territory — for the first out of the inning.
“It played out perfect,” said a laughing Melancon. “The end result was a lot of fun, but those are the kinds of things you have to go through late in the game . Fortunately, we came out ahead.”
Melancon (30th save) then settled down to freeze Jackie Bradley Jr. on a 2-2 cutter for the second out of the inning. Christian Vasquez followed with a ground out to second to end the game.
The good luck helped save another solid September start by Gerrit Cole, who threw seven-plus innings of six-hit, two-run ball. Cole threw a perfect first two innings before the Red Sox played small ball in the third. Vasquez singled with one out in the inning and advanced to second on Sox starter Brandon Workman’s sacrifice bunt. Mookie Bettis then singled him home with a single.
Cole then shut down Boston over the next four innings before getting into a jam in the eighth with the Pirates leading 3-1. He allowed back-to-back singles to start the inning forcing manager Clint Hurdle to go to Tony Watson.
It was another strong September outing for Cole, who is now 7-1 in the month for his career.
“I pounded them hard early with fastballs,” said Cole. “I went to the secondary stuff in the middle and had the option to go either way late. I was just pushing the pace and staying out on top of them. Not thinking too much out there, just kept trying to attack the glove and the fastball was there, tonight.”
Watson got a shallow fly ball to right for the first out and Xander Bogaerts followed with a sacrifice fly to make it 3-2. Watson then faced David Ortiz and got him swinging to end the inning.
The Pirates offence was headed by a bases loaded walk by Ike Davis in the first. Davis then singled in the fourth and scored on a Chris Stewart RBI single.
Starling Marte ended up providing the game-winning hit with a solo shot to left in the fifth.
Final Score: Pirates 3, Red Sox 2
“I think sometimes you are meant to win games,” said Hurdle. “[Melancon] was able to finish it off after the play at third, but that was a big break for us.”
Starters Lines
Cole (W, 10-5): 7+ IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 7 K’s. 98 Pitches (66 Strikes).
Workman (L, 1-10): 5 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K’s, 1 HR. 95 Pitches (61 Strikes).
The Pirates sweep the series and move to within two games of the Giants for the first N.L. Wild Card spot.
The Brewers now come to town for the final home series of the regular season starting tomorrow evening.
Tomorrow’s Starters
(LHP) Jeff Locke (PIT): 8-10, 3.66 ERA
(RHP) Yovani Gallardo (MIL): 8-10, 3.59 ERA
First pitch is set for 7:05.
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(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
