Surging Pirates top Tigers, 1-0, in 11 innings

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

Russell Martin hit a bases-loaded single off the left-center wall in the bottom of the 11th inning to give the Pittsburgh Pirates a 1-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Thursday night.

Neil Walker opened the inning with a sharp single to right off Luke Putkonen (1-1) and Andrew McCutchen walked. Gaby Sanchez loaded the bases by bouncing a single through the left side of the infield.

Martin then ripped a 2-1 pitch into the gap to give the Pirates (34-20) their 16th win in 20 games.

The Tigers left 11 runners on base as they lost their third straight.

Detroit starter Doug Fister struck out 12 in seven innings and allowed four hits. Miguel Cabrera hit two doubles for the Tigers, including the 400th of his career.

Bryan Morris (3-2) pitched a scoreless inning.

Both teams failed to cash in on scoring opportunities in the middle innings.

Pittsburgh hit three singles in a row to start the fourth and Detroit had four consecutive singles to start the fifth.

In the Tigers’ fifth, Matt Tuiasosopo and Bryan Pena hit back-to-back singles but Tuiasosopo was thrown out at home by Snider, the right fielder, while trying to score on Avasail Garcia’s single.

Fister then singled to load the bases but Omar Infante hit a grounder to third baseman Brandon Inge, who threw home to force Pena for the second out. Andy Dirks grounded out to end the inning.