Rodriguez homers in 9th to lift Pirates over Phillies

Looking to jumpstart the Pirates and give them a flicker of hope in the NL wild-card race, the righty was roughed up in a 6-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday night. At 69-72, the Pirates are six games out of a wild-card berth with 21 games left to play. It was Rodriguez’s 13th longball of the season, as he’s again been a useful utility player for the Pirates with a.251/.340/.485 batting line while playing all over the field. Sep. It was also his first pinch-hit home run since May 25, 2013.

“I know he’s not pleased with the result, and with the preparation he put into tonight, it’s understandable”, manager Clint Hurdle said.

“I strained my oblique in June and didn’t think I was going to get a call-up at all”, he said. “It was a slider that was up”. Jeanmar Gomez allowed a walk and a double prior to Rodriguez’s blast, as he blew a save and was pulled without recording an out.

Pirates reliever Juan Nicasio struck out five in two scoreless innings. Freddy Galvis then hit a sacrifice fly deep enough to center to allow Quinn to tag up and score.

The Pirates certainly could not have expected more from Nova when they acquired him from the New York Yankees at the trade deadline for two prospects. In 208 innings of work across 32 starts last season, the right-hander went 19-8 with a 2.60 ERA.

“I was getting ahead in the count and I threw some good sinkers and that was a good thing for me”, Nova said.

Sean Rodriguez launches a three run homer in a pinch hit appearance during the ninth inning of Tuesday’s game. On a possible double play ball, Mercer seemed to hold on to his throw as Frazier’s lane to first appeared impeded by first base umpire Alan Porter. Josh Bell followed with a double of his own that could have scored Frazier.

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Gerrit Cole was placed on the 60-day disabled list with right elbow posterior inflammation.

Cole was lit up by the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday when he coughed up five runs on four hits with three strikeouts in just two innings. LF Starling Marte, who leads the NL with 17 outfield assists, sat out his eighth straight game with back spasms and was replaced by Matt Joyce.

The Bucs will look to add to their win column as they hand the ball to Steven Brault for his sixth career start Wednesday night. The 29-year-old is 0-2 and has allowed a total of 13 runs – 12 earned – in 16 innings over his last three outings.

Phillies: RHP Alec Asher (1-0) makes his second start of the season in his return from an 80-game suspension for performance enhancing drugs. The 22-year-old is looking for his first win since August 12.