Diamondbacks rout Pirates, 10-2
Associated Press
PHOENIX
A.J. Pollock homered twice, doubled and drove in four runs as the Arizona Diamondbacks salvaged the final game of their series against Pittsburgh, routing the Pirates, 10-2, on Wednesday.
Pollock began the day in an 0-for-14 rut.
He also made a diving catch in center field to rob Andrew McCutchen in the first inning.
Wade Miley (2-0) allowed two runs on five hits in 6 2-3 innings.
Jonathan Sanchez (0-2) was charged with nine runs and eight hits in 3 1-3 innings.
The last two of those runs came after Sanchez left and reliever Chris Leroux walked two batters, on four pitches each, with the bases loaded in the Diamondbacks’ four-run fourth.
Pollock, a long shot to make the opening day roster before spring training injuries to Adam Eaton and Cody Ross, hit a three-run homer in the second and a solo shot leading off the fourth.
He had two home runs in his 81 big league at-bats last season.
Pollock, moved up to the No. 2 spot in the batting order by manager Kirk Gibson, doubled down the left-field line with one out in the first, then took off trying to steal third.
Sanchez threw wildly to third and Pollock scored. Martin Prado followed with a walk, advanced to third on Paul Goldschmidt’s single and scored when Miguel Montero grounded out.
Alfredo Marte brought home the inning’s third run with a two-out double.
In the second, there was more trouble for Sanchez. Josh Wilson reached on a walk and Gerardo Parra singled before Pollock homered into the left-field seats to make it 6-0.
LATE TUESDAY
Garrett Jones had three hits and two RBIs, Starling Marte drove in two runs and scored twice, and the Pirates beat the Diamondbacks, 6-5, Tuesday night for their first winning streak of the year.
Pittsburgh has snapped out of its offensive funk in the desert, winning the first two games of the series by scoring 11 runs — three more than the first six games combined.
The Pirates fell into an early hole after James McDonald (1-1) allowed four runs in the first inning, but rallied with a five-run fourth off Arizona starter Brandon McCarthy (0-1).