Bedard struggles as Pirates fall to Giants

Associated Press

pittsburgh

When Erik Bedard’s breaking ball behaves, the left-hander has the kind of stuff that once made him one of the most promising pitchers in all of baseball.

When it doesn’t, it looks an awful lot like the fourth inning of Pittsburgh’s 6-5 loss to San Francisco on Friday night.

The Giants sent 10 men to the plate to erase a three-run deficit and chase Bedard on their way to ending the Pirates’ four-game winning streak. Bedard (4-10) fell to 2-6 with a 6.31 ERA in his last 10 starts after failing to get through four innings for the fourth time this season.

“I just threw pitches and they hit it,” Bedard said. “I didn’t feel any different, they were hitting the pitches.”

The Pirates signed Bedard in the offseason hoping the 33-year-old could overcome the nagging injuries that have dogged him in recent years. He insisted he just wanted to pitch in, but looked like a No. 1 starter over the season’s first six weeks.

The pinpoint control didn’t translate into wins, however, as Pittsburgh’s offense seemed to disappear whenever Bedard took the hill. The Pirates have the National League’s best offense since June 1, but Bedard hasn’t been able to take advantage.

“We’ll look at the tape and try to get things figured out over the [All-Star] break,” Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said.

The veteran left-hander has been shaky over the last two months while battling control issues. He’s been steady at home — coming in with a 2-2 record and a 2.31 ERA — and looked to be ready for a bounce-back performance while cruising through the first three innings.

Then, the bottom fell out.

Justin Christian led off the fourth with a walk, came home on a double by Ryan Theriot and Melky Cabrera followed with a two-run shot to left. Buster Posey walked on four pitches and Pablo Sandoval scratched out an infield hit before Bedard could record a single out.

The Giants pushed two more runs across the plate on an RBI single by Sanchez and an error by Pittsburgh shortstop Josh Harrison that brought home Sandoval as San Francisco jumped ahead 5-3.

Hurdle removed Bedard in favor of Chris Resop, who managed to get out a jam before more damage was done. Bedard gave up five runs, four earned in 3 2-3 innings, walking three and striking out one as his ERA moved to 4.80 — the highest it has been all season.

“It was just a bad inning all around,” Hurdle said.

And it was just enough for the Giants to snap a three-game slide.

Barry Zito (7-6) survived five eventful innings as the Giants snapped a three-game losing streak. Sergio Romo worked the ninth for his fifth save while subbing for regular closer Santiago Casilla.