Petit Struggles But Bats Come Alive For San Francisco Giants
May 5, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Hector Sanchez (29) is greeted by first baseman Buster Posey (right) after scoring a run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the sixth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The San Francisco Giants defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates by the final score of 11-10 in 13 innings at PNC Park in a wild affair. Neither Starting pitcher could contain the opposing offense and as a result were pulled early.
After receiving great pitching in Atlanta for three-straight game the the Giants knew eventually the offense would be called upon. That night was tonight and Yusmeiro Petit, who got the spot start in place of the injured Matt Cain, did not fair well against the Pirates going just 4.1 innings and allowing eight runs in the process.
His struggles started in the bottom of the third inning when a Pedro Alvarez three-run homer capped off a four-run second inning for Pittsburgh. They would then continue in the fifth inning where the Pirates scored four more runs although Petit was pulled after just one out. The bases were loaded though, so he was on the hook for those baserunners.
Jake Dunning, the recent AAA Fresno call-up, came to the mound and did not help as he was having trouble with control all night. Dunning ended up throwing two wild pitches, both of which allowed the Pirates to score runs. After the dust settled it was another four-run inning for Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh’s pitcher Jeff Locke had a bit of trouble on the mound himself in his first start of the season and ended up allowing six runs on eight hits with five strikeouts.
Offensively the San Francisco Giants got off to another good start with two runs in the first inning. However, the bats ended up getting quiet for a bit before being awoken in the the top of the sixth inning when they were down 8-2.
In that sixth inning the offense was able to string hits together including a two-run double by Brandon Hicks as well as RBI singles from Buster Posey, Hector Sanchez, and Brandon Crawford.
In the seventh the bats stayed hot and this time Michael Morse got involved getting his second RBI of the game. Sanchez would pick up his third RBI of the night immediately after Morse, and after seven innings the San Francisco Giants were down just 10-9.
In the ninth inning Hunter Pence led-off the inning with a base hit. Then, with Posey up to bat, Pence was able to get to second base on a wild pitch. With a runner now in scoring position Posey made the best of it with his second RBI of the game after hitting a single on a ground ball to right field. That pushed the game to 10-10 and off the extras they went.
In the 13th inning the San Francisco Giants were able to take the lead for good with Jean Machi at the plate with runners on first and second. Machi laid down a bunt to sacrifice himself, but instead of a routine play at first pitcher Jared Hughes made an errand throw in the dirt which allowed Pence to score from third.
After that half-inning Sergio Romo came in with the 11-10 lead and was able to shut down the Pittsburgh Pirates, though not after he hit the first batter. But, after a flyout by Andrew McCutchen, Romo was able to get Alvarez to hit into the game ending 4-6-3 double play capping a wild night in Pittsburgh.