The Pirates hope to extend their winning streak to six games when they face the Rangers on Saturday night.
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With Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Jonathon Niese throwing well lately, people wondered whether his good form could continue at the Texas Rangers’ hitter-friendly Globe Life Park.
The eight straight home series victories are the most for Texas since taking eight in a row in 2011-12.
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Juan Nicasio (12) stands on the mound as Texas Rangers’ Adrian Beltre runs the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Saturday, May 28, 2016.
The Rangers pitching, meanwhile, kept the Pirates’ offense in check for the second consecutive game.
“In warmups, he didn’t really let it go”.
Hamels was never able to get into a groove, especially in a fifth inning that started with a walk to No. 9 hitter Sean Rodriguez. The first came in the top of the second inning on a 3-1 fastball when Starling Marte hit a solo shot over the center field wall for his fourth homer of the season.
Mitch Moreland snapped a 1-for-27 skid with a solo home run in the fourth.
Darvish (1-0) had a 0.90 ERA in five rehab starts this month, culminating with an 87-pitch outing. “Today I was heating it up pretty good so I felt pretty good”. Darvish missed the end of the 2014 season with right elbow inflammation and had more issues while making just one spring appearance a year ago before undergoing elbow surgery. The Pirates didn’t get another hit until Francisco Cervelli’s sinking liner in front of rookie right fielder Nomar Mazara in the fifth.
While Liriano has struggled on the road, Perez is 2-1 with a 2.08 ERA in five starts in Arlington. The first was on an 82 miles per hour slider and the second on an 89 miles per hour cutter. As usual, Darvish sprinkled in other breaking pitches as well, some as slow as 70 miles per hour. “It looks like he’s his normal, dominant self”.
Liriano, who beat Perez 5-4 the last time he faced the Rangers in September 2013, gave up six hits and five runs with six strikeouts in six innings.
“It’s a game, ” Banister said after the loss, his mood not quite as jolly as during batting practice about five hours earlier. “Just as impressive tonight as it was back then”.
He registered his fourth straight quality start and made big pitches when he needed to as the Rangers left 10 runners on base and were 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position.
The Pirates finished with 14 hits, including their third game with at least four homers. “When they’re right, they can carry the whole team”, Beltre said.
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Jurickson Profar’s bloop single in the first gave him a hit in all nine of his career starts in the leadoff spot for Texas…. Locke has won three of last four decisions and is 9-5 with a 3.31 ERA in 25 starts against NL East teams. Hamels was done after 4 2/3 innings after he was tagged for six runs (five earned) in his shortest start since joining the Rangers.
