Archer gets victory as Pirates beat Rockies 4-3

Archer gets victory as Pirates beat Rockies 4-3
By MICHAEL KELLY, Associated Press
DENVER (AP) — Adam Frazier had three hits and made a run-saving play in the field, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Colorado Rockies 4-3 on Wednesday.
Chris Archer (4-5) was making his second start since being acquired from Tampa Bay before the July 31 trade deadline. He allowed two runs and five hits in five innings.
Frazier had two doubles and a single, but made what might have been his biggest contribution in the field. With runners on the corners and two outs in the eighth inning, pinch-hitter Chris Iannetta hit a sharp grounder to the hole at second. Frazier made a diving stop and threw out Iannetta to end the inning and preserve the one-run lead.
German Marquez (9-9) tied a career high with 10 strikeouts and David Dahl homered for the Rockies.
Archer retired the first eight batters before Marquez singled in the third. Colorado broke through in the fourth on Dahl’s two run homer, his fifth of the season, to cut the deficit to 3-2.
Pittsburgh led early on an RBI double by Gregory Polanco and a run-scoring single by Frazier in the first, and an RBI groundout in the third.
The Pirates added a run on Corey Dickerson’s sacrifice fly in the eighth inning to make it 4-2. Ryan McMahon’s RBI single made it close again.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Pirates: INF Josh Bell (left oblique strain) was activated from the 10-day DL and started at first base Wednesday. INF Jose Osuna was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis.
Rockies: LHP Chris Rusin (plantar faciitis) pitched in a rehab assignment Tuesday night and was at Coors Field on Wednesday. Manager Bud Black said Rusin will be evaluated. “We’re encouraged by a lot of things we saw in his three outings,” Black said.
IMMACULATE INNING
Marquez had a rough start but settled down to register a rare feet. The righty struck out the side in the fourth on nine pitches. He is the third pitcher to do it this season. It is the first time it was done at Coors Field.
The only other Rockies pitcher to throw an immaculate inning was Rex Brothers in 2014.
Marquez followed his perfect inning with a leadoff walk in the fifth to Francisco Cervelli.
UP NEXT
Pirates: RHP Ivan Nova (6-6, 4.49) takes the mound against the Giants in San Francisco on Thursday night.
Rockies: LHP Tyler Anderson (6-4, 4.05) will open a four-game home series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday.
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Jameson Taillon pitches second complete game this season as Pirates beat Rockies 10-2.

Taillon, Pirates beat Bettis, Rockies 10-2
By MICHAEL KELLY, Associated Press
DENVER (AP) — It was Jameson Taillon for Pittsburgh and Chad Bettis for Colorado on Tuesday night at Coors Field.
An intersection with special significance.
Taillon beat Bettis in a matchup of pitchers who battled testicular cancer last year, and the Pirates hit three homers in a 10-2 victory over the Rockies.
“I’m not going to sit here and say we’re best friends and we talk on the phone all the time but we’ve both gone through something that is extremely similar and we both go through something similar starting pitching in the major leagues,” Taillon said. “There’s an understood bond there, something we’ll share for life.”
Taillon (9-8) allowed 10 hits in his second complete game of the season. The 26-year-old right-hander struck out three and walked one, helping the Pirates stop a three-game slide.
He became the first visiting pitcher to toss a nine-inning complete game in Denver since Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw shut out the Rockies on July 2, 2013.
“I’ve watched 1,300, 1,400 ballgames here, you don’t see a lot of complete games,” said Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle, who managed the Rockies over eight seasons. “He finished strong.”
Taillon threw 107 pitches, 70 for strikes. He needed just 15 to get the final three outs in his second career complete game.
“You always hear closing out games is tough, weird things happen in the ninth so I told myself it’s a 0-0 game, let’s close out this inning,” Taillon said.
Starling Marte hit a solo drive in the first and Jordy Mercer connected for a three-run shot against Bettis (5-2) with two out in the fourth. Josh Harrison capped Pittsburgh’s five-run fifth with a two-run homer off Jake McGee.
Bettis allowed nine runs and eight hits over 4 2/3 innings in his first start after missing five weeks with a blister on his right middle finger.
“The problem was those two walks in the fourth and the home run by Mercer,” Bettis said. “It really came down to those three at-bats where I didn’t really execute the pitches like I wanted to.”
Taillon was diagnosed with cancer last year and missed six weeks after surgery last May.
Bettis was diagnosed in November 2016. He was cleared to report to spring training before tests revealed he had cancer in his lymph nodes and he underwent treatment. He made his season debut on Aug. 14 and started nine games last year.
Colorado made it 10-2 on Carlos Gonzalez’s two-run double with one out in the sixth.
REMEMBERING DON
Tuesday marked the one-year anniversary of the death of former Rockies manager Don Baylor. Baylor was Colorado’s first manager and held that position for six seasons. He gave Hurdle his first job on a major league staff.
“I’m forever grateful,” Hurdle said. “There’s times during the season or other times I’ll remember things he did or things he said that resonate, that have meaning. There’s still enough people within the game that I’ll see from time to time that we were connected. His spirit lives.”
ARRIVAL
Shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria joined the Pirates in time for Tuesday’s win. His plane landed at Denver International Airport at around 5 p.m. local time and made it to Coors Field 25 minutes before the first pitch.
He was acquired Monday in a trade with Tampa Bay.
CENTURY MARK
Rockies star Charlie Blackmon singled in the sixth inning for his 1,000th career hit. He received a short standing ovation from the crowd.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Pirates: INF Sean Rodriguez was placed on the 10-day DL – retroactive to Monday – with a strain to the left abdomen.
UP NEXT
Pittsburgh right-hander Chris Archer (3-5, 4.40 ERA) will make his second start since he was acquired in a trade with the Rays. He will face Rockies right-hander German Marquez (9-8, 4.70 ERA) in the series finale on Wednesday.
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Freeland, bullpen limit Pirates to 2 hits as Rockies win 2-0!!

  1. Freeland, bullpen limit Pirates to 2 hits as Rockies win 2-0
    By PAT GRAHAM, AP Sports Writer
    DENVER (AP) — Kyle Freeland has the stuff of an ace. He delivers in the clutch like an ace, too.
    Just don’t expect Colorado manager Bud Black to label the left-hander one yet. Not even a dominating performance like this could sway him.
    Freeland threw seven sharp innings and combined with the bullpen on a two-hitter to help the Rockies beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-0 on Monday night in a game that was interrupted 32 minutes by rain.
    “I’m a critical judge of an ace,” Black said. “For me, an ace is somebody that does it over a long period of time. This is no knock on Kyle. I mean, for me, an ace is the guy who’s passed the test of time, who’s been an All-Star, maybe conceivably won a Cy Young.
    “But, hey, don’t get me wrong: I love the way Kyle’s pitching. He’s been great.”
    Freeland (10-7) allowed two hits and struck out five. It was his fourth career game of seven or more shutout innings at Coors Field.
    “The one thing is not letting the old Coors Field effect come into play for me,” said Freeland, who grew up in Denver. “I pitch my game.”
    Relievers Seunghwan Oh and Wade Davis combined to close out the win. Davis pitched a perfect ninth for his 32nd save in 38 chances.
    It was a positive step for a beleaguered bullpen that endured three walk-off losses — two by Davis — during a 2-5 road swing.
    “Good to see Wade bounce back,” Black said.
    Joe Musgrove (4-6) retired the first 12 batters he faced before allowing a single to Nolan Arenado on the first pitch of the fifth. The right-hander scattered four hits over seven innings and allowed two runs, one earned.
    Colorado scored both of its runs off Musgrove in the fifth. Arenado raced home with the first when Josh Harrison booted Gerardo Parra’s grounder. Just then, the rain picked up intensity and the grounds crew brought out the tarp.
    “I was locked in,” Musgrove said. “I didn’t realize how hard it was raining until I walked off the field.”
    After the delay, Musgrove hit Ian Desmond to load the bases and Chris Iannetta followed with a sacrifice fly to bring in another run. The damage could’ve been more if not for right fielder Gregory Polanco throwing out Parra trying to score from second on David Dahl’s single.
    “I would’ve rather not had it,” Musgrove said of the delay. “The delay kind of caused me to lose my rhythm a little bit.”
    Freeland allowed a single to Corey Dickerson to lead off the game and Musgrove’s double in the third. Other than that, Freeland was tough to solve against a Pirates team that scored five runs off him in four innings on April 18.
    “Pretty much everything” was working, Freeland said. “Fastball command was really good.”
    TRAINING ROOM
    Rockies: RHP Antonio Senzatela (shoulder inflammation) will rest a few days before playing catch. “He feels good. We’re optimistic there,” Black said. … OF Charlie Blackmon was given a day off.
    HEAVY AIR
    The wind picked up intensity and the temperature dropped about 14 degrees, making it hard for the baseball to leave the ball park. David Freese hit a deep drive to center in the fourth and Starling Marte another in the sixth that got held up by the breeze.
    “They squared a couple up to dead center that I thought off the barrel had a chance to go,” Freeland said. “I just think the wind might have been swirling up there.”
    NEW INFIELDER
    The Pirates acquired infielder Adeiny Hechavarria from Tampa Bay for minor league reliever Matt Seelinger. Hechavarria is expected to arrive Tuesday.
    “Very good feedback from our scouts following him,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. “Be a good addition all the way around.”
    UP NEXT
    The Rockies will bring RHP Chad Bettis (5-1, 5.10 ERA) off the disabled list to start Tuesday against the Pirates. Bettis hasn’t pitched for Colorado since July 1 due to a blister on his middle finger. Pittsburgh will throw RHP Jameson Taillon (8-8, 3.74), who’s been charged with three runs or less in each of his last 12 starts.
    Both pitchers dealt with testicular cancer a season ago.
    “Both healthy. Both in the big leagues,” Taillon said. “Life’s good.”
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The Pirates acquire infielder Adeiny Hechavarria from the Rays!!!

The Pirates have acquired infielder Adeiny Hechavarria and cash considerations from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for right-hander Matt Seelinger.

Prior to being designated for assignment on August 1, Hechavarria hit .258 (56-for-217) with three home runs and 26 RBI in 61 games with the Rays this season, making 61 appearances (57 starts) at shortstop. On June 30 vs. Houston, he snapped his errorless streak at 94 games (319 total chances) – both the longest such streaks in franchise history for a shortstop.

Hechavarria ranks fifth in the Major Leagues with 734 games played at shortstop since 2013. He was a National League Gold Glove finalist at shortstop in both 2014 and 2015. In addition, his 35 triples since 2013 rank tied for third among all Major League players, trailing only Dee Gordon (40) and Charlie Blackmon (37).

Hechavarria made his Major League debut with Toronto in 2012 before spending the next four years (2013-2016) as the starting shortstop for the Miami Marlins. He was traded to the Rays on 6/26/17.

Brian France Chairman and CEO of NASCAR arrested for DWI and possession!!!

NASCAR chairman arrested for DWI, oxycodone possession
SAG HARBOR, N.Y. (AP) — NASCAR mogul Brian France was arrested in New York’s Hamptons for driving while intoxicated and criminal possession of oxycodone after he was seen blowing through a stop sign, police said.
France, the chairman and CEO of the auto racing behemoth, was arraigned Monday at Sag Harbor Village Justice Court after a night in jail and released on his own recognizance.
Information on a lawyer who could comment on France’s behalf was not immediately available, nor was information on his next court date.
NASCAR said in a statement that it takes France’s arrest “as a serious matter and will issue a statement after we have all of the facts.”
France, 56, was pulled over and arrested about 7:30 p.m. Sunday near the Sag Harbor waterfront. Officers saw indications of intoxication and found the pills during a subsequent search, police said.
TMZ first reported the arrest.
France has led NASCAR since 2003. He’s a third-generation leader of the company, which his late grandfather, Bill France Sr., founded in 1948.
France called into a radio show last month to refute a report that his family was looking into selling its racing properties, saying his family was “locked and loaded in its dedication to NASCAR.”
France was involved in a 2006 incident in Daytona Beach, Florida, when a police report stated he crashed his Lexus into a tree after entering a restaurant parking lot.
France later told an officer called to his home that he was drinking a soda and “bumped into something.”
But a witness called 911 and gave police a statement that claimed she saw France driving at a “very reckless speed,” and claimed France’s car hit the tree after hitting a parked car.
She said she also watched as France “fell over his own feet” as he got out of his car.
Her statement was not attached to the police report, and the Daytona Beach police chief later investigated whether France was given special treatment by authorities.

Bucs win 7-6 as Archer struggles in Pirates debut

Frazier’s RBI single in 8th lifts Pirates past Cardinals 7-6
By JOHN PERROTTO, Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Chris Archer didn’t make it past the fifth inning in his Pittsburgh Pirates’ debut.
However, he still got a standing ovation when he was removed from the game. And his team pulled out a win, too.
Adam Frazier’s RBI single in the eighth inning helped the Pirates beat the St. Louis Cardinals 7-6 on Friday night.
Pittsburgh overcame a rough outing by Archer, acquired from Tampa Bay earlier in the week, as gave up five runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings. He struck out six and walked four. Despite the uneven performance, the right-hander — winless in his last eight starts — received the ovation when he was removed during a three-run fifth inning.
“The fans were incredible,” Archer said. “I’ve never pitched in an atmosphere like this and I’ve been in the big leagues almost six years. It was unbelievable. I wish I could have done a little bit better, but considering how hectic everything’s been the last few days, for us to pull out a victory in my first game was pretty special.”
Pirates manager Clint Hurdle wasn’t ready to judge Archer after one start.
“He came out and competed like he’s always done,” Hurdle said. “I’m not going to overcook this. It was one start and we’ve won the one game he’s started.”
The Pirates broke a 6-6 tie in the eighth when Josh Harrison singled with one out off Jordan Hicks (3-3) and Jordy Mercer walked. After pinch-hitter Jose Osuna struck out, Frazier drove in Harrison by grounding a single into center field.
Kyle Crick (2-1) gave up Jedd Gyorko’s tying RBI grounder in the top of the eighth. Felipe Vazquez pitched a scoreless ninth for his 25th save, the most in a season by a Pirates’ left-hander. Mike Gonzalez had 24 in 2006.
Pittsburgh improved to a major league-best 17-5 since July 8.
Archer ran into trouble early as Matt Carpenter hit a home run to center field, his 27th, on the game’s third pitch. Carpenter extended his franchise record for homers leading off a game to 23, including eight this season.
Frazier and Starling Marte had three hits for Pittsburgh, which had a total of 12, and Gregory Polanco drove in three runs. Polanco hit a two-run triple and scored on Colin Moran’s sacrifice fly in the first inning then hit a sacrifice fly during a three-run third that pushed the lead to 6-2.
Rookies Tyler O’Neill and Yairo Munoz each had three hits of St. Louis’ 15 hits and Carpenter, Gyorko and Dexter Fowler added two each. The Cardinals left 16 runners on base while losing for the third time in four games.
“We had some big hits, we were able to scratch and claw back from 6-2,” Cardinals interim manager Mike Shildt said. “Had the bases loaded a couple times. Couldn’t quite cash in.”
St. Louis starter John Gant gave up six runs in four innings.
The Cardinals pulled to 6-5 in the fifth when Gyorko and Fowler hit RBI singles and pinch-hitter Jose Martinez drove in a run with a grounder.
Fowler left the game in the eighth inning due to a left foot contusion. Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said the right fielder fouled a ball off his foot earlier in the game and will likely be placed on the disabled list Saturday.
Fowler had struggled all season, hitting just .180 with eight home runs in 90 games in the second year of an $82.5-million, five-year contract.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Cardinals: LF Marcell Ozuna (left big toe discomfort) returned to the lineup after leaving Thursday’s win over Colorado and was 1 for 5 with a double. … 2B Kolten Wong (left knee inflammation) is expected to be activated from the disabled list Saturday. … RHP Adam Wainwright (right elbow inflammation) will join the team Monday in Miami and throw a bullpen session. If that goes well, he will start a rehab assignment with Class A West Palm. RHP Luke Gregerson (right shoulder impingement) will be examined by Dr. James Andrews sometime next week in Gulf Breeze, Florida.
Pirates: Triple-A Indianapolis INF Jung Ho Kang, who finished third in the NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2015, underwent surgery to debride his left wrist. … RHP AJ Schugel (right shoulder discomfort) began a rehab assignment with Class A Bradenton and threw 19 pitches. … RHP Nick Burdi (right elbow surgery) had his rehab assignment stopped at Double-A Altoona because of a strained left quadriceps muscle.
ROSTER MOVES
Pirates: RHP Keone Kela was added to the roster and RHP Doyvdas Neverauskas was recalled from Indianapolis while LHP Steven Brault and RHP Nick Kingham were optioned to the Triple-A club. Kela who pitched one scoreless inning, was acquired Tuesday in a trade with the Texas Rangers. Kingham lost his rotation spot with the addition of Archer.
Cardinals: RHP Greg Holland was released after clearing waivers and LHP Tyler Lyons accepted an outright assignment to Memphis. Holland, who tied for the NL lead in saves last season with 41 for Colorado, had a 7.92 ERA in 32 games after being signed to a $14-million, one-year contract.
UP NEXT
Cardinals: Rookie LHP Austin Gomber (1-0, 3.22 ERA) will make his second career start Saturday night. He is moving from the bullpen to replace RHP Carlos Martinez (strained right shoulder).
Pirates: RHP Ivan Nova (6-6, 4.33) is 4-1 with a 3.59 ERA in nine starts since being activated from the disabled list. He was out from May 25-June 9 with a sprained right ring finger.
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Reports that the Pirates have acquired Chris Archer for Tyler Glasnow, Austin Meadows, and a player to be named!!!

Reports from the MLB Channel are saying that the Pittsburgh Pirates have made a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays for their Ace Chris Archer.

The report says Pirates have a deal in place to acquire right-hander Chris Archer from the Rays, according to Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The package going to the Rays includes outfielder Austin Meadows and right-hander Tyler Glasnow.

Archer is controllable through 2021, with team-friendly options of $9 million for 2020 and $11 million for 2021. This lines up well for the Pirates, who have rocketed into contention this season by winning 15 of their last 19 games , but also look to contend in the coming years. In an indication of this, they also acquired reliever Keone Kela, another young arm controllable through 2022, early Tuesday morning in a trade with the Rangers.

Archer has finished in the American League’s top three in strikeouts in each of the last three seasons and has amassed 1,146 strikeouts since he debuted in 2012. He is the only pitcher in franchise history to post three 200-strikeout seasons. His consistent health is also of note: He hasn’t started fewer than 32 games in a full season, and he led the AL in starts in 2015 and 2017. Archer has posted a 3-5 record and 4.31 ERA this season, his strikeout (9.6 K/9) and walk rates (2.9 BB/9) are roughly in line with his career marks, and seven of his 11 starts since the beginning of May have been quality starts.

Stay tune to Beaver County Radio for more on this developing story!!!!!!

Pirates get closer Keone Kela from Rangers for 2 prospects

Pirates get closer Keone Kela from Rangers for 2 prospects
PHOENIX (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired hard-throwing closer Keone Kela from the Texas Rangers for minor league starter Taylor Hearn and a player to be named.
The deal was announced late Monday night after the Rangers’ 9-5 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“It was a challenging trade,” Rangers GM Jon Daniels said. “Keone has been awesome the last couple years, a dominant closer for us. Ultimately felt where we are, it made sense to consider these kind of deals where we can get multiple players.”
The surging Pirates are 3 1/2 games behind Arizona for the final NL wild-card spot, with Atlanta and Colorado also ahead of them in the standings. The Pirates entered Monday with a 4.23 bullpen ERA, 10th best in the NL.
“Kela is an experienced, quality, high-leverage reliever who projects to be a significant addition to our late-game options for the next few seasons,” Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said.
The 25-year-old Kela has 24 saves and a 3.44 ERA this season. He will be arbitration eligible beginning next season and will not be eligible for free agency until after the 2021 season.
Kela learned of the deal after being called from the bullpen in the seventh inning Monday night.
“I’m still a little shocked, but I’m excited that it’s a new beginning, a new journey that I get to venture into,” he said. “Just forever grateful for the opportunity to play here in Texas, all the support from the fans.”
Hearn is 3-6 with a 3.12 ERA in 19 starts at Double-A Altoona this year. The 23-year-old left-hander is a graduate of Royse City High School, located about 50 miles west of Globe Life Park in Arlington.
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Bucs beat Mets 5-4 as David Freese caps of big night with walk off single!!

Freese 5 RBIs, single in 9th lifts Pirates over Mets 5-4〉
By WES CROSBY, Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates needed someone to lean on with three of their better hitters out of the lineup Friday. On cue, David Freese came through in a big way.
Freese drove in five runs, including an RBI single in the ninth inning that lifted the Pirates over the New York Mets 5-4. He homered in going 3 for 3 with two walks, helping the Pirates win for the 12th time in 14 games.
“It’s wild,” Freese said. “We just have to step up. These are the dog days, I guess, and it’s tough out there. Bodies are dragging a little bit. But we are in the hunt, that’s what’s cool. We just have to keep going.”
The Mets had won three in a row. They beat the Pirates 12-6 Thursday night behind Asdrubal Cabrera’s homer and two doubles – Cabrera was traded to Philadelphia on Friday.
Josh Harrison led off the Pittsburgh ninth with an infield single against rookie reliever Tim Peterson (2-2). A single by Gregory Polanco put runners at the corner and Elias Diaz was intentionally walked to load the bases. Freese hit a drive over center fielder Brandon Nimmo for the win.
Pittsburgh was without outfielders Starling Marte and Corey Dickerson, who were out with a left hand contusion and left hamstring discomfort, respectively. First baseman Josh Bell played two innings before leaving with left side discomfort.
“We didn’t have a lot of depth, truthfully,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. “That’s one thing these guys have done all year long, is that they show up. Whoever is available plays and they depend upon one another.”
Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez (4-2) got the win after striking out two in a scoreless ninth.
After Freese gave the Pirates a 4-3 lead with a two-out, two-run single up the middle with the bases loaded in the fifth, the Mets loaded the bases with no outs in the sixth.
Reliever Edgar Santana struck out Kevin Plawecki and had a chance to get out of the inning when Jose Reyes sharply lined out to left fielder Jordan Luplow. Michael Conforto paused after charging from third, but Luplow’s throw sailed to the backstop, allowing Conforto to continue and beat the tag at home, tying it at 4.
Mets reliever Seth Lugo gave up the go-ahead single to Freese in the fifth, after replacing starter Jason Vargas. In his first start since June 19, Vargas allowed three runs on three hits with three strikeouts and three walks in 4 1/3 innings.
“I thought (Vargas) did a good job,” Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. “To push him any further than we did, I thought would be tough. He started getting a little tired there at the end.”
Without getting the decision, Vargas was still pleased with his return.
“It’s kind of hard to say what you anticipate, but I felt really solid out there,” Vargas said. “I felt like I was able to make some pitches. I made that one mistake to Freese that he really went out there and hammered, but I felt like I did a good job.”
That one mistake led to Freese’s home run, which cut the Mets’ 3-0 lead to 3-2 in the second. Conforto gave New York that lead with a three-run homer in the first.
Pirates starter Ivan Nova gave up three earned runs in five innings.
ROSTER MOVES
Mets: Cabrera was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for RHP Franklyn Kilome. New York signed OF Austin Jackson and designated OF Matt den Dekker for assignment.
Pirates: RHP Alex McRae was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis. RHP Michael Feliz was optioned to Indianapolis.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Pirates: Hurdle did not provide an update on Bell, Marte or Dickerson. He did not say whether Marte or Dickerson could have pinch-hit if the game went to extra innings.
UP NEXT
Mets: RHP Jacob deGrom (5-5, 1.71 ERA) will look to win for the third time in four starts when he takes the mound against Pittsburgh on Saturday. He has allowed three earned runs combined during his past three starts, and has gone eight innings in each.
Pirates: RHP Trevor Williams (8-7, 4.11) hopes to build off of his last two starts when he faces the Mets on Saturday. After allowing five runs in five innings of a 17-5 loss to the Phillies on July 6, Williams hasn’t allowed a run in his two starts since, including when he shut out the Cleveland Indians in six innings of a rain-shortened, 7-0 win on Monday.
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Indians top Pirates 4-0, end Pittsburgh’s 11-game win streak

Indians top Pirates 4-0, end Pittsburgh’s 11-game win streak
By BRIAN DULIK, Associated Press
CLEVELAND (AP) — Trevor Bauer, Adam Cimber and Brad Hand combined for an emphatic end to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 11-game winning streak.
Bauer struck out 10 over seven innings and the newly acquired relievers completed a three-hitter as the Cleveland Indians beat the Pirates 4-0 on Wednesday.
Pittsburgh was seeking its first 12-game winning streak since 1965 but only advanced one runner to third base. The Pirates had scored six or more runs in seven straight games before losing for the first time since July 10 against Washington.
“When you face a team that’s hot like that, I enjoy meeting the challenge head-on,” said Bauer, who improved to 3-0 with an MLB-low 0.33 ERA in four interleague starts this season.
“I challenged them, forced them to hit my stuff,” he said. “I wanted to see who was tougher.”
Bauer (9-6) allowed two hits and two walks in his ninth double-digit strikeout game this year.
Cimber, acquired from San Diego along with Hand on July 19, got the first two outs in the eighth. Hand retired the next four batters, striking out three, for his first save with Cleveland. He had 24 saves with the Padres.
“Those guys are taking my innings away from me, jerks,” Bauer said, chuckling. “They’re good, and that’s what we got them to do, you know? Come in and shut the game down.”
Edwin Encarnacion had a two-run single in the third off Jameson Taillon (7-8), and Yonder Alonso had a two-run homer in the eighth against Felipe Vazquez.
Jose Ramirez scored twice and stole two bases for the Indians, who lead the AL Central by eight games over Minnesota. Francisco Lindor went had two hits.
“Trevor Bauer was as good as advertised,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. “The spin pitches, sometimes they looked like a whiffle-ball coming in there, and he has enough run to the arm-side fastball at times that it keeps you honest.”
Pittsburgh, which outscored Cleveland 16-4 in winning the first two games of the series, was blanked for the ninth time. Jordy Mercer, Jacob Stallings and Adam Frazier had hits.
Pirates center fielder Starling Marte left in the first inning after being struck on the left hand by a Bauer pitch. Left fielder Corey Dickerson did not play because of a strained left hamstring that occurred Tuesday.
CLOSE CALL
Marte’s career-high hitting streak remains intact at 17 games because he did not record an official at-bat or sacrifice fly before leaving. Initial medical tests revealed a bruise, but no fracture.
“The news we received was the best news we could have gotten as far as the severity,” Hurdle said. “I don’t think it’s too bad.”
Marte has an NL-high 20 RBIs in July and is batting .292 with 16 homers and 54 RBIs on the season.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Pirates: RHP Chad Kuhl (right forearm strain) began performing gripping exercises Tuesday and did not experience any problems. The 25-year-old starter was placed on the disabled list on June 29.
Indians: LHP Andrew Miller (right knee inflammation) will pitch every other day during his rehab assignment with Double-A Akron. He allowed four runs in 1/3 of an inning in his first outing Tuesday.
UP NEXT
Pirates RHP Nick Kingham (5-4, 4.11 ERA) takes on Mets LHP Steven Matz (4-8, 3.65 ERA) in the opener of a nine-game homestand Thursday at PNC Park.
Indians RHP Carlos Carrasco (12-5, 4.03 ERA) faces Tigers RHP Mike Fiers (7-6, 3.49 ERA) to begin a six-game trip Friday at Comerica Park.
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