Liriano tames Cubs batters

Photo

Morneau

Associated Press

Pittsburgh

Tony Sanchez thought he was going to get the opportunity to catch a no-hitter in his rookie season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. That’s how well Francisco Liriano was pitching Sunday.

“I thought there was a chance,” Sanchez said. “His ball was really moving, particularly the slider, was moving all over the place.”

Liriano took a no-hit bid into the seventh inning before faltering in his first no-decision this season, and pinch-hitter Justin Morneau singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth to lead the Pirates over the Chicago Cubs 3-2.

Pittsburgh remains tied with St. Louis for the NL Central lead, took three of four from the last-place Cubs and won for the sixth time in seven games. The Cardinals beat Seattle 12-2.

Morneau, acquired from Minnesota on Aug. 31, drove in his first run for the Pirates. The 2006 AL MVP is batting .279 (12 for 43) with Pittsburgh.

“It was perfect timing for the first RBI, that’s for sure,” Morneau said. “I wish it would have happened a week-and-a-half ago, but I’m glad it happened when it did. It’s just nice to contribute.”

With the score 2-2 in the eighth, Andrew McCutchen was hit by a pitch from Pedro Strop (2-2), took second on Marlon Byrd’s bloop single to center and scored on Morneau’s single.

“It’s funny how things turn out in this game,” Morneau said. “You hit some balls hard and have nothing to show for it then I get a broken-bat hit that ends being the game-winner.”

Kyle Farnsworth (1-0) pitched a scoreless eighth, and Mark Melancon completed a three-hitter with a perfect ninth for his 16th save in 18 chances.

Liriano didn’t allow a hit until Junior Lake singled into the hole between third base and shortstop leading off the seventh. Shortstop Jordy Mercer made a diving effort and stopped the ball on the outfield grass, but Lake easily beat the throw.

Welington Castillo followed with a tying, two-run homer into the bleachers in left-center. Castillo’s seventh homer of the season stopped Liriano’s streak of 22 consecutive scoreless innings at PNC Park.

“You knew it was going to be tough and that’s how you score against Liriano — you get somebody on and pop a home run,” Chicago manager Dale Sveum said.

Liriano allowed two runs, three hits and four walks in six-plus innings. At 16-7, he became the first Pirates pitcher with a decision in his first 23 starts since Larry French opened with 24 in a row in 1930, according to STATS.

“He was on the edges of the plate and then he was just off of them,” Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said. “The pitch count got up higher than he wanted it to be but he got outs and he had a no-hitter through six innings. He battles and he competes.”

Liriano threw 99 pitches through six innings, and Hurdle said it was doubtful he would have made it to the ninth.

“Francisco’s a pro and he realizes it wouldn’t benefit anyone for him to throw 130 pitches on Sept. 15,” Hurdle said.