Pirates get Walk-Off Win

The Pirates won 2-1. While injured Cardinals left fielder Matt Holliday has said he plans to play in the game, Upton could be next in line behind the elected starter.

Alvarez’s second career game-ending hit lifted the Pirates to their eighth win in 10 games and beat his father-in-law, Padres interim manager Pat Murphy. “But for the most part, I’m just grinding away at it. You’re going to have your good times and your struggles, but I’m just trying to keep going in the right direction”. The Padres (39-46), meanwhile, have dropped three in a row and have scored two runs or fewer in six of seven. McCutchen had reached by ripping a double into the left field corner off Padres starter James Shields to extend his hitting streak to 13 games, tying the longest streak of his career. I’ll tell you one thing: There are no other colors I’d rather wear out there. With one out, McCutchen worked Maurer for a walk and moved to second on Jung Ho Kang’s ground ball single to center. Burnett walked three and struck out four while pitching at least six innings for the 14th time in 17 starts this season. Derek Norris batting leadoff for the second time went 1-4 with a run and a strikeout, and was left on base twice.

Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Pedro Alvarez (24) tags out San Diego Padres’ pinch runner Melvin Upton Jr. on a pick off by starting pitcher A.J. Burnett. Burnett made it into the eighth inning and would have probably finished it had home plate umpire Paul Emmels not made a bad call on a supposed foul tip. Burnett (0.24), and he hasn’t given up a home run in his last 12 outings, spanning 74 innings. “I want to represent these guys and this locker room and this city and this organization now my first time in the All-Star Game”.

“I’ll sleep on it but I obviously am very excited, very humbled and very appreciative for all the votes I got”, Cole said to reporters. Weather cut Tyson Ross’ start to two innings with Frank Garces and Marcos Mateo and Joaquin Benoit allowing runs. The Newhall, Calif. native struck out three and walked only one.

“I was happy I was able to make the All-Star Team especially after the start that I had.” said McCutchen. “I used the two-seamer a lot, got a lot of outs on the sinker”.

Alvarez was halfway between first and second when McCutchen scored, which prompted his teammates to pour out of the dugout and encircle him on the outfield grass. Norris ending up knocking a single, Yangervis Solarte followed with a hit and Burnett’s night came to an end. San Diego C Tim Federowicz is scheduled to catch RHP Brandon Morrow’s simulated game Saturday and then begin a rehab assignment next week at low Class A Fort Wayne.

Josh Harrison is headed to the disabled list, and will likely miss up to six weeks with torn ligaments in his thumb.