Pearce breaks up scoreless game; Bucs win in Philly

Six Pirate pitchers held down a potent Philadelphia team in a 12-inning, 2-0 victory.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Steve Pearce broke up a scoreless game with a run-scoring double in the 12th inning, and six Pittsburgh pitchers held down the potent Philadelphia Phillies in the Pirates’ 2-0 victory Friday night.

Ryan Doumit started the 12th with a double off Phillies reliever Les Walrond (0-1). One out later, Pearce smacked a ball past third baseman Eric Bruntlett and down the left-field line, allowing Doumit to trot home for a 1-0 lead. A two-out, bases-loaded infield single by Freddy Sanchez gave the Pirates a little extra cushion.

T.J. Beam (1-1) pitched two scoreless innings of relief for Pittsburgh, and Craig Hansen tossed the 12th for his third save of the season and first since he was traded from the Boston Red Sox in the three-team Manny Ramirez deal on July 31.

Hansen got some help from Brandon Moss, who made a diving grab in left-center on Chase Utley’s fly ball with runners on first and second and one out. Moss threw to Freddy Sanchez covering second to try to double up Jimmy Rollins, but he made it back safely. Sanchez then spun and threw to first and doubled up Shane Victorino to end the game.

Though neither starting pitcher factored in the decision, Philadelphia’s Joe Blanton and Pittsburgh’s Paul Maholm controlled the game for the first seven innings.

Maholm scattered five hits, walked three, and struck out a career-high 10, including five straight between the fifth and seventh innings.