Pittsburgh Pirates lose to Arizona Diamondbacks 3-6 at PNC Park – MLB Update
Pittsburgh Pirates lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-6 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Thursday, August 9 in the finale of their four match series of the 2012 Major League Baseball regular season.
Diamondbacks, who were humiliated by the Pirates in previous game, regrouped themselves to stage an emphatic fight back on Thursday afternoon. Pittsburgh tried hard to get the better of their opponents but the Diamondbacks were too strong.
"He's got a chance of doing damage," Manager Kirk Gibson said of Jason Jubel before the start of Thursday's game against the Pirates. "He's due."
Jason Kubel looked in top form as he connected for a two run home-run to right in the first inning to put the Diamondbacks 2-0 ahead. Catcher Michael McKenry earned an RBI single to left in the second to put the Pirates on the board.
Shortstop Jordy Mercer also made the most of available opportunities early on, hitting a sacrifice fly to centre in the second to level the score 2-2. Starling Marte’s single to right helped Pittsburgh comeback from behind to clinch a critical 3-2 lead.
However, Arizona were in no mood to give up as Wil Nieves hit a mighty two run home-run to left in the sixth to add spice to the proceedings. Left fielder Kubel hit his second home-run in the seventh to stretch the lead to 6-3.
"I said he was due, didn't I?" Gibson said after the game. "I'm glad I had him in there. It was just a great performance from him."
Pirates’ starting pitcher Wandy Rodriguez was hit hard as he gave up seven hits and four runs in six wavered innings, taking his 11th loss of the season.
"I don't know what's going on with me -- I've lost the last two games on only one pitch," disappointed Wandy Rodriguez said in a post game interview. "Today in that last inning on Nieves, I hung a breaking ball and he hit a home run."
Arizona’s relief pitcher David Hernandez and J.J. Putz combined to pitch two scoreless innings to help their side hold on to their two run lead.
Tags: