Buc Bombs Overcome Early Hole, Pirates Rally For 5-4 Victory

Good start for Jeff Locke, tossing a clean, 12 pitch first frame. Cutch and Gregory singled with an out off Rubby De La Rosa, then Starling reached via a boot on a chopper to juice the bags. Freeser whiffed and S-Rod smoked a liner to third; *sheesh* the Bucs and bases loaded! More problems; there was a delay between innings. Plate ump Chris Guccione took a foul off the mask earlier and apparently was feeling the aftermath, leaving the game to crew mate Sean Barber and two base umps.

Lamb walked on four pitches after two were gone in the second, and it cost when Chris Owings bounced a changeup down the line for a double. Then Yasmany Tomas golfed another change of pace, inside and low, deep into the LF seats to make it 3-0. Both pitches were decently located two strike offerings; give the Snake 7-8 hitters credit, they were prob sitting on the change. Stew doubled with an out and moved up on Jeff's tapper. He became the Pirates fourth stranded runner and the club is already 0-for-5 w/RISP.

S-Rod homered and flashed some leather tonight (photo Dave Arrigo/Pirates)

Nick Ahmed opened the third with a first pitch single. Two pitches later, a 6-4-3 DP mopped that up, started by a great glove play by Jordy, to key a quiet frame. Gregory slapped a heater to left with an out; he stole second as Marte whiffed chasing a shoe-top slider. Polanco became another base statistic when Freeser bounced out. The D-Backs had back-to-back one out singles in the fourth; then go figure -  Locke got Owings and Tomas on changeups. S-Rod solved the LOB conundrum by drilling a hung curve into the second deck to make it 3-1.

With two gone in the fifth and two strikes on Rickie Weeks, Locke hung a changeup and watched it bang high off the LF foul pole. Jeff needs a finishing pitch; every big bop tonight has been with two strikes. JJ opened with an opp field rap, and Cutch followed with a knock. Gregory doubled home a run; the last two hits were with two strikes, and it's De La Rosa's turn to flop at finishing batters. Starling's grounder plated Cutch, then Freeser sent a two strike slider, down the middle, thigh-high, into the Bucco bullpen 451' away to give Pittsburgh the lead. Exit Rubby; Jake Barrett came in to close down the frame.

It was a clean sixth for Locke, a great follow after the Bucs big inning. Then he legged out an infield knock with one away against Barrett, tho dying at first. With an out in the seventh, Tomas caught an elevated change (Locke's first of the frame) and doubled, the ball just eluding Polanco. Clint tried to get seven out of Jeff w/o Watson; it didn't work and in came Jared Hughes. Two grounders silenced the Snakes. Zac Curtis gave up a two out walk before finishing up the frame.

David Freese's long ball was the game winner (photo Marty Morrow/Pirates)

Neftali Feliz took the ball in the eight against the 2-3-4 D-Back hitters. Weeks opened with a knock, then Neftali blew 98 MPH heat past Paul Goldschmidt. He had Wil Castillo whiffed too, but the ump missed the call. It proved a blessing as the next pitch was lined to S-Rod at second; he flipped to first to double off Weeks. Tyler Clippard gave up a two out, two bagger to Matt Joyce, but Jaso couldn't chase an insurance run home.

It was up to The Shark in the ninth, with Clint shifting Freeser to first and bringing JHK in to man the hot corner. With two gone, Owings just missed tying it, hitting one high off the Clemente Wall for a double. But Mark had one more out left in him and retired Tomas for save #16.

Jeff used his change a ton tonight, and a couple of times it bit him. He also was a bit snake bit; Tomas' homer was closer to bouncing off his shin than crossing the plate and Weeks' ball hit the pole. But for the sixth time in seven starts, he's given the Bucs six competitive frames or better. And the Pirate bench continues to dazzle; S-Rod and Freeser homered while Joyce doubled. Nice team win, and another series is in the bag with a possible sweep tomorrow afternoon.

• Gregory Polanco has had three-hit outings in four of his last nine games. He went 3-for-4, and with Cutch combined for a 5-for-8 evening.
• Jordy's eight game hit streak ended. 
• The Pirates have won 8-of-10.
• A couple of sources posted that Ryan Vogelsong underwent surgery for his facial fractures today, although there's been no official word from the Pirates.
• Congratulations to Tony & Cassie Watson on the birth of their son, Theodore.
• Tim Williams of Pirates Prospects wrote that Jameson Taillon is due back on the hill Sunday.

Late Notes: Josh Out, Beanballin', MiLB News

Couple of late notes:

• Josh got ill during the afternoon and was a late scratch; S-Rod replaced him at second and in the six hole in the order. 

Josh is feeling poorly; no word if he'll be available off the bench (photo Dave Arrigo/Pirates)

• Last night's 'Zona beanball victims thankfully seem to be recovering OK. Nick Ahmed is back in the lineup, while Jean Segura said that he passed his concussion protocol and that Arquie texted him to let him know it wasn't intentional. Caminero, who went on the DL today, told the trainers about his quad discomfort after the game and will stop throwing completely for awhile.
• Tony LaRussa (he's a Snake suit now) gave his usual yap to the Sporting News - didn't think the beanings were intentional, rules make it tough to retaliate, but intimidation is a big part of the fame, so...
• Tim Williams of Pirates Prospects reported that LHP Justin Masterson is done with his extended spring training stint and will start for Class A Bradenton, likely this weekend.
• C Elias Diaz is close to resuming throwing a baseball after his elbow surgery.
• 1B/OF Jake Goebbert, who went to camp with the Bucs and was later claimed by Texas, was DFA'ed by the Rangers.

Wednesday: Jeff Locke v Rubby De La Rosa, Lineup, Notes (Tony, Arquie Out; Scahill, Lobster In)

Tonight: It's a 7:05 start that will be on Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan. MLB Network will also show the game for out-of-market fans.

Pitchers: Jeff Locke (2-3, 5.00) toes the rubber in the middle game against Rubby De La Rosa (4-4). Four of Jeff's last five starts have been solid; he, like Frankie, got clobbered by the Cubs. he hasn't seen the D-Backs since 2014; in his three starts against them, he's basically been pounded. Rubby already has a 2016 Pirates notch in his belt; he went six innings in April, giving up a run on three hits with six K.

Jeff was strong against the Braves in his last outing (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

Lineup: John Jaso 1B, Cutch CF, Gregory Polanco RF, Starling Marte LF, David Freese 3B, Josh Harrison 2B, Jordy SS, Stew C, Locke P. JHK gets another R&R day; we'd expect some down time during his return. Odd for Fran to get back-to-back nights off; prob all those little bruises adding up.

• The Pirates placed Tony Watson on the paternity list and sent Arquimedes Caminero to the 15-day DL with a left quad strain, hmmmm. Rob Scahill and Kyle Lobstein were recalled from Indy.
• Pittsburgh has won 7-of-10 contests and are five games behind the Cubs and two ahead of the Cards.
• Five qualifying Pirates are hitting .300+: Starling Marte .325, Josh Harrison .314, Gregory Polanco .307, Jordy Mercer .307 and John Jaso .306. 
• August Fagerstrom at Fangraphs has a detailed piece on Frankie's season so far; it's based on locattion, location, location and batters being patient.
• Snake skipper Chip McHale chimed in on Arquimedes Caminero, telling the media that if didn't bean his guys on purpose, he doesn't deserve to play at this (MLB) level because of his control issues As for the players clocked, Nick Ahmed seems OK, with a bruise on his jaw, while Jean Segura was being checked for concussion-like symptoms. It'll be interesting to see if there's any blowback tonight.

5/25: Babe's Blasts; Casey's Bird; Kiner #300,Bunning #200, Rhoden #100; Brawlin' & More..

• 1906 - Martin Dihigo was born in Matanzas, Cuba. Best known for his play in the Mexican League, he spent time in the Negro Leagues and in 1927-28 with the Homestead Grays. Dihigo was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1977. The multi-talented Dihigo played all nine positions as a pro, usually as a pitcher or second baseman. He’s the only player ever to be inducted to the American, Cuban, Dominican, Mexican and Venezuelan Halls of Fame.
• 1919 - Casey Stengel, who had been traded to Pittsburgh by the Brooklyn Dodgers, returned to Ebbets Field for the first time and his old fans gave him the razzberries. Bowing to the grandstand, he doffed his cap to the 18,000 present, and out flew a sparrow (described as "irate but much relieved") that he had somehow picked up in the outfield. That prank was the highlight of Stengel’s day as he went 0-for-4 against Sherry Smith in a 5-0 loss.
• 1935 - Babe Ruth hit his 714th and final home run off Guy Bush at Forbes Field in an 11-7 Boston Braves loss to the Pirates, a career record that would stand for almost 40 years before Hammerin' Hank claimed the crown. The Bambino went 4-for-4, hitting three home runs and driving in six runs. The final drive, launched in the seventh inning, cleared the right field roof, the first time that feat was ever done. Per local lore, the Babe’s ball didn't quit rolling until it stopped in Panther Hollow. 

• 1940 - The Bucs broke an 18-for-21 losing spell with a 12-7 win over the Cubs at Forbes Field. Arky Vaughan had a HR, 3B, four runs scored and three RBI to lead the Pirate charge. Although he was roughed up, Joe Bowman went the distance for the win. Despite the dismal streak, the Pirates did end up with a 79-74 record at season’s end.
• 1953 - Ralph Kiner became the 12th MLB player to hit 300 HR with a three-run, fifth-inning blast off the NY Giants Al Corwin in a 6-3 loss at Forbes Field.
• 1958 - One of the largest bench clearing brawls in Bucco history erupted when manager Danny Murtaugh charged the mound after Ruben Gomez began headhunting. Orlando Cepeda, the Baby Bull, joined the melee with a bat before he was tackled by teammate Willie Mays. The bad blood was carried over from some beanballing in the prior visit to Candlestick Park. It apparently fired up the G-Men more than Pirates as they swept the doubleheader at Forbes Field 5-2 and 6-1.
• 1969 - Jim Bunning won his 200th game, scattering five hits and striking out eight in a 2-1 victory over Gaylord Perry and the Giants at Candlestick Park. It was a good day for the Bucs as they also took the nightcap of the twinbill by a 6-2 score behind Bob Moose.

Jim Bunning 1969 Topps

• 1979 - Due to fog, the Buc-Met match ended in a 3-3 tie after 11 innings and a 73-minute delay. The umps gave up when Bill Robinson lost a routine fly ball in the Shea Stadium mist.
• 1983 - In the third inning of an eventual 6-0 loss to the Braves at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Pirates' starter Jim Bibby (4) and reliever Jim Winn (3) combined to walk seven consecutive batters to tie a major league mark set back in 1909.
• 1985 - Rick Rhoden won his 100th game and SS Bill Almon hit his first grand slam while driving in five runs as the Pirates thumped the Braves 8-2 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.
• 1993 - Steve Cooke threw the first shutout of his big league career, only giving up four hits, in the Pirates 2-0 victory over the Florida Marlins at TRS. It was truly Cooke’s day as he also hit a two-run double, providing the Pirates with their only scoring.

Steve Cooke 1993 Donruss

• 2007 - The Pirates erupted for eight runs in the tenth inning as they banged out six hits and took advantage of a hit batter, walk and error. They sent twelve players to the plate in a 10-4 victory over the Reds at Great American Ballpark. Ronny Paulino and Xavier Nady each had a pair of RBI in the extra frame, while Nady and Jay Bay added earlier homers. Jonah Bayless picked up the win after facing two batters in the ninth. 2009 - The Pirates beat the Cubs, 10-8 at Wrigley Field. Freddy Sanchez went 6-for-6 with 4 runs, 3 RBI, a double and a homer to become first Pirate in 19 years, since Wally Backman in 1990, to have six hits in a game. The Bucs had just finished an interleague set against the White Sox, and became the first team in major league history to play consecutive series against the Cubs and White Sox in Chicago.
• 2013 - The Bucs hit four homers, two by Pedro Alvarez, and Jeff Locke ran his scoreless streak to 14 frames in a 5-2 win at Milwaukee’s Miller Field. For Locke, it was his sixth start out of the last seven giving up three or fewer hits.

Pirates Bite Snakes 12-1

Frankie walked one in the first; he was probably fortunate, as none of the four batters saw a first pitch strike. JJ drew a walk off Shelby Miller, but was picked off first by the catcher. Jaso's swim move may have dodged the tag, so Clint challenged and won. A Cutch single put Pittsburgh in business. Big business, too; Gregory was fed a steady diet of heat, and a 3-2 fastball ended up in the RC seats 398' away. Starling singled, stole second and went to third on a wayward throw with an out, where he died. It was 1-2-3 in the second for the Snakes. JJ singled with two away to no avail.

Liriano tossed a clean third. Starling blooped a two down knock followed by a Josh walk, and both cashed in when Jordy banged a 3-1 heater over the CF'er's head for a two bagger. Stew drew an intentional pass that proved a bad idea when Frankie's knock plated Jordy to make it 6-0, although the D-Backs did nail Stew trying for third. Phil Gosselin opened the fourth with a double and Paul Goldschmidt drew his second free pass. But a force at third and a 4-3 DP on a ball bounced up the middle relieved the pressure. The Bucs went down in order in their half.

The Rox hit a couple of bullets in the fifth, but Cutch ran them down for a 1-2-3 frame. JHK walked and Josh singled an out later, but a 4-6-3 DP on a smoked ball nicely played by Jean Segura ended the parade. That also ended Miller's night.

Frankie struggled with his control, but gave the Bucs 5-2/3 IP of one run ball (photo Associated Press)

Frankie gave up a two-out walk in the sixth followed by a single and a pair of four-pitch passes to bring home the Snakes first run of the night. That brought Jared Hughes to the hill, and he got a bouncer to hold back the tide. Liriano went 5-2/3 IP, giving up a run on two hits, with five walks and just two whiffs. He tossed 98 pitches; 50 were balls.

Andrew Chafin entered and Stew welcomed him with a knock. Freeser pinch hit another single, then they were bunted up by JJ (lefty-on-lefty). Cutch couldn't bring them home, tapping back to the mound on an 0-2 count; Chafin hit his spots perfectly on the black. Alas for the Snakes, El Coffee picked him up with a two-run two bagger to right center. Evan Marshall came in and JHK banged an RBI singled in a grinding, nine pitch at bat before the fire was put out.

Arquimedes Caminero came on in the seventh (ho boy!) with Figgy going to third and Freeser to first. After an out, Arizona banged out two singles followed by Arquie beaning Segura in the helmet. Jean got up and walked off the field on his own, but that's two too many scary moments the last couple of nights. Clint kept Caminero in, and he worked out of it. Josh and Jordy led off with knocks, and a bleeder moved them up notch. Freeser got drilled by Marshall, and both benches were issued warnings. Cole Figueroa answered with an RBI single; Cutch's blooper brought in two more, one on the hit and another while Figgy did the dance during a run down before Arquie bounced out to end the frame.

Jordy had two hits, two RBI and two runs scored (photo Dave Arrigo/Pirates)

The first D-Back walked in the eight - with the Bucs up by 11! Two outs later, a single dropped into left, followed by another HBP, catching Nick Ahmed around the jaw, and he too left the game. Caminero, who's a hot mess right now, was bounced. In 1-2/3 IP, he gave up three hits, walked one and plunked a pair. AJ Schugel was tossed into the fire. He prob should have started the inning, but did finish it with a grounder. Randall Delgado took the hill and worked around a walk and an error. AJ cruised through the ninth.

The Buc bats were on fire, pounding out 17 hits and a dozen runs. But Frankie's wildness has to be a concern, though he has been effective. As for Caminero, well, the FO may love the arm, but they're carrying a six man bullpen as long as he's in it. With 20 more games before a break, that's not a luxury the team can afford. Arizona got as many walks as hits (six) plus two HBP and stranded 11; that wild streak will bite the Pirates sooner or later.

• Gregory Polanco's five RBI was his personal best. He went 3-for-5 with a homer, double and two runs scored.
• The first 11 Pirates with an at bat all recorded a hit; the string was broken by Arquie, who got his first MLB plate appearance and grounded out to short. Cutch, Starling, Josh and Jordy each had a pair of raps.
•  Jordy has an eight game hitting streak.
• Rob Biertempfel of the Trib tweeted that Jameson Taillon's next start will be skipped as part of the plan to keep his innings under control. Or is it something else the FO has in mind...like getting him set for a mid-June MLB debut?
• SS Clint Barmes retired. In 13 MLB seasons, the glove-first IF slashed .245/.294/.379. He played here during the turn-around years of 2012-14 (.224/.271/.314) and will be remembered in Pittsburgh for his walk up song that epitomized the resurgent Pirates, "Don't Stop Believing." 
• The Chicago White Sox released ex-Bucco 1BTravis Ishikawa, who had been playing in AAA.

Late Notes: V-Song Report, AJ Schugel Returns, More...

A couple of late afternoon notes popped up:

• The Pirates placed Ryan Vogelsong on the 15-day DL with facial fractures. Head trainer Todd Tomczyk told the media that V-Song is in good spirits and there is no sign of "significant" damage to the eye nor any concussion symptoms. They don't believe the eye was damaged, and his vison has been improving. As for the fractures, Tomczyk said they have to wait for the swelling around Vogelsong's eye to go down before they can know the full extent of the damage. Vogelsong remains hospitalized while awaiting a complete evaluation.

AJ is back (photo Dave Arrigo/Pirates)

• The Pirates recalled AJ Schugel to replace V-Song. Schugel is 0-1/4.96 in 11 Pittsburgh outings; seven were shutout appearances while the other four were kinda rocky. He should be ready to go, as he didn't get much work in at Indy, tossing just a couple of times since he was sent down on 5/15.
• Joe Block reported that ump Jeff Nelson, who also had an eye injury last night, albeit considerably less damaging than Ryan's (he was hit by a dirt clod on a a play at the plate) is OK and will spend a little time working in the replay booth before returning to the field.
• Former Pirates C Erik Kratz cleared waivers today and became a free agent. 

Tuesday: Frankie v Shelby Miller, Lineup (JHK In, Fran Out), Notes

Tonight: The series kickoff begins at 7:05 and will be aired by Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan. It's also pup night if Rover is a Bucco bow wow.

Pitchers: Francisco Liriano (3-3, 4.63) opens against Shelby Miller (1-5, 6.64). Even with the disaster in Chicago, Frankie has had strong outings in three of his last four starts. But in his earlier April match against the Snakes, he went six frames, giving up four runs on five hits, two of which left the park. In five career starts v Arizona, he's 1-0/3.16. Miller has been a little steadier in May than he was in April, bring his ERA down two full runs, but still has been pitching like a back-ender. He hasn't faced the Bucs since 2014, and is 2-6/4.29 lifetime against them.

Frankie on the mound tonight (photo USA Today Sports)

Lineup: John Jaso 1B, Cutch CF, Gregory Polanco RF, Jung Ho Kang 3B, Starling Marte LF, Josh Harrison 2B, Jordy SS, Stew C, Frankie P. Fran gets a breather, and it's good to see JHK back in action after he bruised his hand.

Series Preview: The Bucs took 2-of-3 at Arizona in April, but the two Pirates wins were feisty affairs, with the Snakes rallying from early holes and almost snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. They come into town winning 4-of-6, including 2-of-3 from the Cards, so it's a matchup of two teams playing well. It should be a hold-on-to-your-seats series.

• Still no word on Ryan Vogelsong; we'd imagine he's still being tested, and the inevitable swelling isn't helping the docs out any. But his wife Nicole tweeted last night that he was "stable and will be ok..." so that's great news to hear. 
• Ross Ohlendorf has won his appeal after being fined and suspended three days for plunking David Freese; both have been rescinded.
• Keith Lott of Fantasy Sports rated the Top 50 AAA pitchers on a points system - the Pirates had two of the top three in Jemason Taillon and Tyler Glasnow, #15 with Chad Kuhl and #38, Wilfredo Boscan. Four of the top forty ain't bad. 
• Jason Bay and Freddy Sanchez will represent the Pirates at the June 9th MLB draft. 
• The Twins have signed lefty Sean Burnett to a minor-league deal. Hard to believe he broke in with the Bucs in 2004 and is still only 33.
• Plum's Alex Kirilloff has been named Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year. The 1B was also named the Max Prep PA Player of the Year earlier. He projects as a first rounder (prob as an outfielder - he's 6-2, 200 lb and fast), and if so, would be the first western PA HS'er to go that early since Pine-Richland's Neil Walker in 2004.  

5/24: K-Meisters, HBD Sam, Cover Boy Richie, Connie's Sly Triple Play, More...

• 1859 - 2B Sam Barkley was born in May 24, 1859 - 2B Sam Barkley was born in Wheeling. After a contract kerfluffle (he had signed with Baltimore, but had been sold by his old club to the Alleghenys), he played for Pittsburgh from 1886-87. In his opening year, he hit .266 with 31 doubWheeling. After a contract kerfluffle (he had signed with Baltimore, but had been sold by his old club to the Alleghenys), he played for Pittsburgh from 1886-87. In his opening year, he hit .266 with 31 doubles and stole 22 bases while playing in 122 games. His performance dipped in 1887, playing in 89 games and hitting .224. After the season, Pittsburgh sold him to the Kansas City Cowboys of the American Association. Sam retired to Wheeling after the 1889 campaign to become a cigar maker.
• 1884 – Al Atkinson of the Philadelphia Athletics retired the final 27 batters in pitching a no-hitter over the Pittsburgh Alleghenys at the Jefferson Street Grounds. Atkinson hit leadoff batter Ed Swartwood, who stole second, moved to third on a grounder and scored on a wild pitch. He was the only Allegheny baserunner in the 10–1 Philly victory.

Ed Swartwood 1885 (photo via Union Dale Cemetery)

• 1889 - Bill Kuehne converted 13 chances at the hot corner, handling three putouts and 10 assists without an error‚ for a MLB record. His stellar work in the field helped Pittsburgh to a 9-7 win over Washington at Swampoodle Grounds. The Alleghenys’ Kuehne wasn’t exactly noted for his glove work, though. He had 34 errors that season and finished with a .908 fielding average.
• 1893 - Before the days of the infield fly rule, C Connie Mack intentionally allowed a popup in front of home plate to fall and then started a triple play against the Browns. He later drove in the winning run in the bottom of the eighth to lead Pittsburgh to an 8-7 win over St. Louis at Exposition Park. Mack was a backup catcher who hit .286 for the Pirates that year, and later entered the Hall of Fame as a manager.
• 1894 - The Pirates rallied to beat the Cleveland Spiders and Cy Young 6-5 at League Park. Down 5-2 late, the Bucs scored twice in the seventh and twice more in the eighth for the win. Red Ehret went eight innings for the victory. Jake Stenzel had two hits and scored three runs while Jake Beckley added three knocks.
• 1955 - The Bucs broke an 11 game losing streak in style by pounding the Brooklyn Dodgers 15-1 at Forbes Field. Preston Ward had a single‚ triple and HR to lead the attack. Ward, Gene Freese and Roberto Clemente each had three RBI. One of the Dodger relievers they tortured was future manager Tommy Lasorda, who gave up five runs in two innings of work.

Preston Ward 1955 Topps

• 1959 - The Bucs swept a pair from the Reds at Forbes Field by 2-1 and 5-4 scores; both games were won by walk-off, pinch hit doubles. Danny Kravitz drove home Don Hoak to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat for Ron Kline, who had surrendered an unearned ninth inning run. The Pirates were down 4-2 in the nightcap and down to their last out when Rocky Nelson tied the game with a two run homer. Pittsburgh won it in the tenth when Smoky Burgess doubled home Roman Mejias to give Ron Blackburn the win. The Bucs took the four game series from Cincinnati, winning by a run each time.
• 1969 - Richie Hebner was featured on the cover of The Sporting News for the story “Pirates Pin-Up Prize.” In his first full season as a Pirate, he hit .301 after inheriting the hot corner from Maury Wills.
• 1998 - Relievers Marc Wilkins (who was on the DL with rotator cuff damage) and Jeff Tabaka got into a fight over a card game at Milwaukee’s Pfister Hotel that grew heated, and Wilkins punched Tabaka, breaking his jaw. The two were roommates who shared an apartment in Pittsburgh during the season, and made up shortly after the brawl. GM Cam Bonifay brushed it off, telling the Associated Press that “Each other took a stance, as manly gentlemen sometimes do.”

Frankie topped off a Bucco whiff-fest 2015 Topps Museum Colelction

• 2015 - Francisco Liriano capped a sweep of the Mets by K’ing 12 batters in six innings on the way to a 9-1 win at PNC Park, aided by homers off the bats of Andrew McCutchen and Starling Marte. It was historic work at the franchise level, as Liriano followed Gerrit Cole and AJ Burnett, who fanned both 10 in the series first two games, becoming the first trio of Pirate starters to compile three straight double-digit strikeout games since September 11-12th, 1969, when Bob Veale, Bob Moose and Dock Ellis did the deed. It's only the third time since 1900 that Pittsburgh put together such a stretch. The swing-and-miss fest also set an MLB record, per Elias Sports: "It is the only time in modern major league history (from 1900 to date) that a team's starting pitchers won three straight games within one series while recording a double digit strikeout total in each game."

Bucs Ride Big Frame To 6-3 Rubber Match Win

Though it was a sunny day, Ryan Vogelsong had to dodge a couple of raindrops to get through the first. A leadoff double put him in an immediate hole. Two routine outs later, Carlos Gonzalez grounded one up the middle; a diving stop by S-Rod held the hit to an infield single to save a run when Mark Reynolds grounded out. Jordan Lyles punched out two of the first three Bucs he faced.

Colorado went down in order in the second. Starling opened with a single and steal; after a whiff, Fran walked. A wild pitch moved them up, and Josh's wormburner to short chased Marte home. The Bucs challenged the out call at first; it was rightly reversed to an infield knock. Harrison stole second, and Lyles worked around S-Rod, walking him. V-Song took a heater under the earflap and went down like he was shot; he had to be taken off the field in a cart, alert and mobile but with a towel draped around his head. Jeff Locke came in to run for him as Wilfredo Boscan warmed up. After all that, JJ bounced into a first pitch DP, short circuiting both a big inning and Wilfredo's loosening up time; it's 2-0 Bucs.

Ryan had a very scary ending to his outing today (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

Boscan worked a clean third.  Cutch and Gregory opened with singles, and Starling's fly tagged Andrew to third. Gregory quickly moved up a station with a steal and Freeser walked to jam the bases. Fran bounced to first with the infield in; Reynolds' throw home was high, the catcher pulled an El Toro, and two Bucco runs plated on the error. Josh's single brought home another, and Lyles' day was done. Chris Rusin took the ball and got Fran at home on a contact play gone astray (note to Pirates: try a fly ball). It also caused another plate injury; ump Jeff Nelson got some debris in his eye and had to leave the field; Ben May replaced him after a jog to the locker room to don the gear. Boscan singled in a run before the music stopped; it's 6-0.

The Rox went down in order in the fourth; Rusin struck out the side. The Rockies got a one-out single and walk in the fifth. They moved up 90' on a tapper and jogged home on Charlie Blackmon's double; walking the eight hitter came back to bite Wil. Fran singled with an out; Josh hit into a force and then was picked off on a steal try. Upon review (he looked as if he ducked the tag) the call was upheld by the war room; maybe Josh came off the bag for a sec. It was 1-2-3 for Boscan in the sixth and the end of his day. It was a solid enough four innings: two runs on two hits with a walk and two whiffs on 64 tosses. The Bucs still can't solve Rusin. He cruised, tho the middle out was a 405' shot to The Notch by JHK.

Wilfredo Boscan picked up his first MLB win today (photo Pirates/Getty)

Neftali Feliz toed the rubber in the seventh, and he punched out a pair in a no hit, no run frame. Rusin shut down the Bucs. Tony Watson got the call for the eighth; the Rox are still hanging' around thx to Rusin, who went 4-2/3 scoreless IP on 41 pitches. Tony did his job with a quiet frame. Miguel Castro climbed the hill for Colorado, and survived a couple balls hit on the nose for another calm inning; that's 12 Bucs cut down in a row.

Jared Hughes came in and took the ball in the ninth; after an out, he gave up back-to-back soft liners to center, bringing on The Shark. Clint gets heat for this move, but it's not his fault that the pen just can't close a game out. Another single loaded the bases, and a sac fly made it 6-3. Another fly to Cutch, and the Bucs had another series win.

This is how Pittsburgh does it; a series at a time. And who woulda thunk this series would be a pitching contest; the last two games didn't turn on ball bashing, but key errors. This game did point out the fly in the Pirate ointment - too many big leads have turned into save situations for The Shark because the pen just can't finish out a game without Tony and Mark. It's especially galling now that the starting rotation seems to be finding itself. Ah well, 5-of-7 at home is a good start, with Arizona coming in for three more.

• A week of firsts for Alfredo Boscan - after three previous call ups left him on the bench, he got his first MLB outing and K on the Wednesday. Today he gave up his first run(s), got his first big league at-bat, hit (on the first pitch) and RBI. Oh, yah - he got his first win, too.
• Josh had two hits, two RBI, a run scored and a stolen sack today.
• Tony Watson hasn't surrendered a hit since May 6th. Since April 30th, he's worked eight games covering eight innings and given up just one knock. 
• The Bucs stole three bases today and appeared to have a fourth, tho replay disagreed.
• JJ's three game multi-hit streak ended with an 0-for-4 outing today.
• No report on V-Song's condition yet; we'll update you when it's known.

Monday: Ryan Vogelsong v Jordan Lyles, Lineup, Notes

Today: The rain out redo will begin at 12:35 PM and be on Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan. The teams did get a much better day; it's sunny and mild.

Pitchers: Ryan Vogelsong (1-1, 4.12) and Jordan Lyles (1-1, 7.64) will wrestle in the rubber match. This will be V-Song's second start of the season, with the first coming back on April 13th. He hasn't thrown more than two innings or 39 pitches in over a month, so getting to the fifth with him would be a major win. Fortunately Wilfredo Boscan is stretched out from his Indy campaign and Jared Hughes can eat a couple of frames if needed. Lyles has started four games; only once has he gotten through the fifth, giving up five earned runs in each of those three outings.

Ryan Vogelsong gets today's start (photo Joe Guzzy/Pirates)

Lineup: John Jaso 1B, Cutch CF, Gregory Polanco RF, Starling Marte LF, David Freese 3B, Fran Cervelli C, Josh harrison 2B, S-Rod SS, Vogelsong P. JHK and Jordy will be in the lineup tomorrow; they were originally scheduled for a two day break and Clint is keeping to that timeline. Both will be availablr off the bench.

• The Pirates don't have a day off now until June 13th because of the two Rockies postponements. Counting yesterday's brief match, that will be a stretch of 31 straight games. The MLB had to reschedule today's game when the Pirates and Rox couldn't agree on a mutual date per Bill Brink of the Post Gazette.
• Yesterday's rain delay of 3:37 before postponing the game was the longest delay in PNC Park history by 10 minutes.