Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS
Jung Ho Kang hit a tie-breaking home run off the facing off the second deck in left center-field in the ninth inning, lifting the Pittsburgh Pirates over the Minnesota Twins 8-7 Tuesday night.
Kang’s sixth home run of the season, a drive off All-Star closer Glen Perkins (0-3), sent Pittsburgh to its fourth win five games.
Perkins has allowed runs in three of four post-All-Star break appearances, blowing a pair of saves after coverting his first 28 chances.
Pittsburgh All-Star closer Mark Melancon (2-1) retired five batters after the Twins tied the game with a four-run rally in the eighth.
Gregory Polanco hit a three-run double in the eighth and scored on Neil Walker’s single for a 7-3 lead, but Minnesota tied the score in the bottom half.
Kang had two hits, scored two runs and was hit by a pitch. He has hit .441 in his last nine games in helping Pittsburgh overcome injuries to third baseman Josh Harrison and shortstop Jordy Mercer.
Melancon entered in the eighth after Eduardo Escobar’s ground-rule double tied the game at 7. He allowed just one walk in the ninth.
Francisco Cervelli added three hits for Pittsburgh, which has a major league-leading 11 interleague wins this season.
Charlie Morton allowed three runs, six hits and four walks in 52/3 innings.
Mike Pelfrey gave up three runs — two earned — and five in 51/3 innings.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Pirates: LF Starling Marte was a late scratch from the starting lineup because he felt ill. ... SS Jordy Mercer (knee) was on the field before the game fielding grounders for the first time since he was placed on the disabled list on July 20 with a sprained knee.
Twins: Ryan said OF Byron Buxton should return to on-field workouts by the end of the week. Buxton has been out since June 25 with a left thumb sprain and Ryan said he’s progressed to swinging a bat.
UP NEXT
Former Twins LHP Francisco Liriano (6-6) starts for Pittsburgh. Liriano has gone 5-2 with a 2.10 ERA and 84 strikeouts in his last 11 starts since allowing a season-high seven runs to Minnesota on May 19. Minnesota counters with RHP Ervin Santana (2-0).