304 on-base percentage in 79 games. Neil Walker drew a walk and during the at-bat Polanco moved to third on a wild pitch by new pitcher Brandon Maurer.
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Rain started coming down in the third inning of the Pittsburgh Pirates vs. San Diego Padres game Tuesday, which meant it was time for the grounds crew to roll out the tarp onto the diamond.
The Atlanta Braves put up four runs in the first two innings as they eased to a 5-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers, while Preston Tucker had four hits in the Houston Astros’ 9-4 victory over the Cleveland Indians.
Grounds crew member Matt Gerhardt was swallowed by the tarp Tuesday night when a gust of wind swelled beneath the covering and enveloped him as he attempted to tamp it down. Speaking before the game about Cashner’s skill and athleticism, manager Clint Hurdle said: “He’s like Tarzan”. “He’s had a lot better swings lately”.
Pirates eighth. Benoit pitching.
Rodriguez was sacrificed to second by catcher Chris Stewart. Lombardozzi struck out. G.Polanco tripled to center, S.Rodriguez scored.
“I’ll sleep on it but I obviously am very excited, very humbled and very appreciative for all the votes I got”, Cole said to reporters. Kang was hit by a pitch.
Last year’s team won five straight to get to 39-47.
Tony Watson (2-1) pitched a scoreless eighth and Mark Melancon worked the ninth for his NL-leading 28th save. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound lefthander gave up just two earned runs on four hits while striking out six and walking one. After McCutchen, Polanco and other Pirates personnel helped rescue Gerhardt and secure the tarp, Gerhardt’s co-workers had some fun with him.
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The inclement weather delayed the game for an hour and 42 minutes. A modest two-out rally by the Pirates against Padres starter Tyson Ross in the bottom of the second, built on two-out hits by Pedro Alvarez and Sean Rodriguez, ended when Chris Stewart bounced out. Cashner kept opponents to a combined three runs on 11 hits and three walks, striking out nine batters through 13 innings of work in his last two outings.
