Ishikawa, Pirates outslug KC

Pittsburgh expects

shortstop Mercer

to be out six weeks

Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, MO.

Travis Ishikawa had three extra-base hits and drove in four runs as the Pittsburgh Pirates outslugged the Kansas City Royals 10-7 Monday night.

Ishikawa, who was 1 for 13 with one RBI in nine games since the Pirates claimed him on waivers July 5, hit a two-run double in a four-run second. He homered in the fifth with Jung Ho Kang aboard.

A.J. Burnett (8-3) won despite giving up a season-high five earned runs and 11 hits — including two homers — in his initial start since his first career trip to the All-Star Game. The 38-year-old right-hander pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the second.

Earlier Monday, the Pirates learned that shortstop Jordy Mercer is expected to miss six weeks because of a knee injury, leaving Pittsburgh without its starters on the left side of the infield possibly until September.

The Pirates put Mercer on the 15-day disabled list Monday, a day after he was hurt in a collision with Carlos Gomez in Milwaukee. Mercer sustained a bruise and a sprained left knee.

Third baseman Josh Harrison went on the disabled list July 7 with a torn left thumb ligament and is expected to miss seven weeks.

“Yeah, it’s a challenge,” manager Clint Hurdle said before Monday night’s game. “The beautiful thing about this game is no other team really cares. So we’re going to play on, opportunities to bring next man up or put a new man in. That’s what we’ll continue to do.”

The Pirates began the day 41/2 games behind St. Louis in the NL Central.

Jung Ho Kang replaced Mercer on Sunday and will likely take over in the interim. He started at shortstop against the Royals after making 23 starts at third base.

The Pirates promoted infielder Brent Morel from Triple-A Indianapolis.