Pirates suffer 10th home loss in a row
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Brandon Webb allowed two runs over seven innings and had an RBI single to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 4-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night. Webb (12-11) gave up seven hits, struck out four and walked one in handing the Pirates their 10th consecutive home loss. Pittsburgh has lost a season-high six straight overall and 11 of 12.
Craig Counsell and Shawn Green each had two hits and an RBI as Arizona won its second straight.
Jose Valverde pitched the ninth for his sixth save.
Pirates starter Mark Redman (5-15) lasted 2 1-3 innings, allowing three runs and five hits. Redman has lost his last five starts and 11 of his last 12 decisions.
The Pirates, 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position in a 4-2 loss Tuesday, were 0-for-9 Wednesday.
Pittsburgh had runners on second and third with one out in the fifth but failed to score when Jack Wilson flied out to shallow left and Jason Bay’s line drive was caught by a leaping Royce Clayton at shortstop. After consecutive singles to start the seventh, Nate McLouth’s bunt failed to advance the runners and Webb again retired Wilson and Bay.
Pittsburgh’s Daryle Ward made it 4-2 with a solo homer to right in the sixth, his first in 211 at-bats since June 7.
The Diamondbacks got an unearned run in the sixth for a 4-1 lead. Andy Green walked with one out and reached second when Chris Snyder’s grounder was misplayed by third baseman Ty Wigginton. Both runners advanced on Webb’s sacrifice, and Andy Green scored on Counsell’s bunt single.
Conor Jackson doubled with one out in the third and scored on Shawn Green’s single to center to give Arizona a 3-0 lead, knocking Redman out of the game.
Pittsburgh made it 3-1 in the third when McLouth singled to left and scored on Wilson’s one-out double down the third base line.
Arizona took a 2-0 lead in the second inning with two two-out hits.
Shawn Green singled, stole second and scored on Andy Green’s double to right-center.
After a walk to Snyder, Webb singled to center to score Andy Green.
NOTES: Wilson was selected as the Pirates’ nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, given annually to the player who combines outstanding skills with devoted work in the community. Members of the Clemente family were at PNC Park to commemorate Roberto Clemente Day. … Redman matched his shortest outing of the season. … Webb has pitched into the seventh inning in eight consecutive starts. … Ward’s homer reached the Allegheny River on a bounce. Ward is the only player to reach the water on a fly, having done so as a member of the Houston Astros in 2002.