Phoenix, AZ (SportsNetwork.com) – Neil Walker and Josh Harrison drove in two
runs apiece to power the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 4-1 victory over the Arizona
Diamondbacks Friday in the opener of a three-game set.
Gerrit Cole (3-0) surrendered just one run on seven hits with seven strikeouts
over 7 2/3 frames for his seventh straight winning decision.
Chris Owings drove in Arizona’s lone run and Josh Collmenter (1-3) was tagged
with the loss after allowing three runs and six hits in six-plus innings of
work.
The Pirates, who won their third straight game, got off to a quick start by
scoring one run in the first inning and two more in the second.
Harrison kicked off the game with a single, stole second, moved to third on
Andrew McCutchen’s flyout and scored on Walker’s base hit to right.
In the second, Harrison smacked a two-run RBI double to center and was thrown
out at third on the play to end the inning.
Paul Goldschmidt and Yasmany Tomas each singled to place runners at first and
second with two outs in the bottom of the sixth. Owings singled to second and
Goldschmidt slid under Francisco Cervelli’s tag at home for a 3-1 game.
McCutchen worked a two-out walk in the eighth and hustled home after Walker
stroked a sharp liner to center for an RBI double.
Mark Melancon tossed a flawless ninth to earn his fourth save of the season.
Game Notes
Brad Ziegler recorded the final two outs over the seventh inning for his 253rd
appearance with Arizona, tying Jose Valverde for the franchise’s all-time
record … Walker extended his hitting streak to seven games … McCutchen has
safely reached base in 16 straight games at Chase Field … The Pirates have
won seven of their last 10 games in Arizona.
