Marlins complete Bucs sweep

Associated Press

pittsburgh

It all fell apart in a hurry for James McDonald.

The right-hander was working on a shutout with two down in the fifth inning Sunday. Then the Florida Marlins scored all four of their runs and McDonald was out of the game without recording another out for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Javier Vazquez added to his last-season surge by pitching six scoreless innings, helping Florida complete a season sweep with a 4-1 victory.

While McDonald’s downfall seemed sudden, Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said the 26-year-old right-hander was working too slowly.

“It was too methodical,” Hurdle said. “There was too much down time instead of getting on the mound, getting the sign and making the next pitch. It’s something he’s going to have to incorporate to take the next step.”

Vazquez (10-11) opened the fifth with a walk and scored on Gregg Dobbs’ two-out double. Gaby Sanchez then singled home Dobbs and Bryan Petersen walked ahead of Donnie Murphy, who chased McDonald with a two-run double to center.

“It was all started with the walk to the pitcher, which has been going on for two weeks with our staff and is maddening,” Hurdle said. “That has got to stop.”

Vazquez was running on a 1-1 pitch when Dobbs hit his double.

“I wish Dobber wouldn’t have hit the ball because I wanted the stolen base,” joked Vazquez, who has no steals in his 14-year career.

McDonald allowed five hits, walked four and struck out three. He is 5-2 with a 3.27 ERA in 15 home starts this season.

“I lost my rhythm a little bit,” McDonald said. “I got behind in the count and when you walk hitters you’re going to pay.”