Post-Game Buzz: Wandy Rodriguez leaves game to injury, Pirates get clutch hitting in 5-3 win

PIRATES BEAT DIAMONDBACKS 5-3

The Pittsburgh Pirates (2-5) overcame the lose of Wandy Rodriguez as their bats came alive, defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks (5-2) 5-3 on Monday night.

Andrew McCutchen and Travis Snider each had two RBIs and Garrett Jones homered for the Pirates, who came into the game with just eight runs in their first six games.

Starter Wandy Rodriguez (1-0, 1.00 ERA) left the game in the bottom of the third inning with what appeared to be a possible hamstring injury. Rodriguez was not in a lot of pain and tried to walk the injury off to keep going but was in enough discomfort where the Pirates had no choice but to end his outing.

Rodriguez could be headed to the 15-day DL.

Rodriguez allowed 2 hits and 1 run in 2 1/3 innings. Rodriguez exited the game with the Pirates leading 3-1 after the Pirates broke out with a three run first inning. Andrew McCutchen had an RBI double, scoring Starling Marte and Travis Snider drove in two runs with a single to right center.

The Pirates would not be able to hold onto to their 3-1 lead in the third. Jeanmar Gomez came in relief of Rodriguez in the third inning and gave up a hit and walk to the first two batters he faced to load the bases. Paul Goldschmidt hit a sacrifice fly to left field to cut the Pirates lead to 3-2 and Alfrado Marte collected his first career hit with an RBI single on a 3-2 fastball over top of the plate to tie the game at 3-3.

The bullpen though would shut the door the rest of the way, allowing one run in 6 2/3 innings. Jeanmar Gomez got the win but it was Justin Wilson who was excellent, pitching three shutout innings, allowing no hits, runs or walks. He struck out 2 and threw 25 strikes on 39 pitches.

Mark Melancon pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning, striking out two and Jason Grilli picked up his second save of the season.

Offensively it was Starling Marte who provided the spark for the Pirates hitting a triple to deep left in the fifth inning and Andrew McCutchen broke the 3-3 tie with a sacrifice fly scoring Marte.

Marte was 2-4 with a triple and 2 runs scored, registering his third straight game with multiple-hits. Hurdle spoke to reporters afterwards of how exciting Marte and McCutchen are to watch with the speed they have. “They’re fun to watch at the plate,” Hurdle told reporters.

Garrett Jones would add some insurance with a solo home run in the top of the 8th.