PIRATES 5 – PADRES 2

Win: Deolis Guerra (2-0)
Loss: Andrew Cashner (3-10)
Save: Antonio Bastardo (1)

THE RUN DOWN

1. POLANCO DELIVERS GO-AHEAD HIT FOR SECOND STRAIGHT NIGHT
Gregory Polanco (.232 – 3 HR – 21 RBI) broke a 2-2 tie in the eighth with a single to deep right scoring Travis Ishikawa from first and the Pirates would add two more runs in the eighth, en route to a 5-2 win over the Padres on Wednesday night.

2. NIGHT OF 5’s
Pirates extended their winning streak to 5 games
Pirates offensively managed 5 hits in the game, scored 5 runs and had 5 strikeouts
Starter Charlie Morton allowed 5 hits and struck out 5

3. PIRATES HIT 50 WIN MARK
The Pirates an MLB best 24-10 since June 1, are now 16 games over .500 with a 50-34 record.

4. TURNING POINT
Padres starter Andrew Cashner limited the Pirates to one hit through six innings and had retired 15 straight until Neil Walker (.273 – 6 HR – 32 RBI) doubled in the seventh to deep center and the Pirates finally had some life offensively. Andrew McCutchen would then reach base in the inning and Walker would score on Francisco Cervelli’s fielders choice to short, tying the game at 2-2.

5. KEY AT-BAT
With two-outs and no one on, Travis Ishikawa (.000 – 0 HR – 0 RBI) pinching hitting, walked in a six pitch at-bat and would then score the go-ahead run on Polanco’s single to deep right.

6.2-HIT NIGHT FOR KANG
Jung Ho Kang (.263 – 4 HR – 27 RBI) went 2-4 with a double and RBI in the victory. Kang’s single to left center in the eighth, scored Neil Walker, pushing the Pirates lead to 5-2.

7. HITTING STREAK AT 15
Andrew McCutchen (.302 – 10 HR – 53 RBI) extended his hitting streak to 15 games. McCutchen went 1-3 with an RBI.

8. Next Up: St. Louis Cardinals