Bucs secure playoff spot for third straight season

September 24, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

Associated Press

DENVER

Neil Walker had a career-high six RBIs, including a three-run homer, and the Pittsburgh Pirates clinched their third straight playoff berth by beating the Colorado Rockies 13-7 on Wednesday night.

The Pirates secured at least an NL wild card as they chase first-place St. Louis in the NL Central. They trail by four games with a home series coming up against the Cardinals.

Walker provided the bulk of the offense with a bloop, two-run single in the first and a towering three-run homer in the third off Christian Bergman (3-1). Walker ended his night with a run-scoring single as part of a six-run ninth.

Charlie Morton allowed the Rockies to climb within a run after being staked to a 7-1 lead. Joe Blanton (4-0) tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Starling Marte had three hits, including a two-run double. He didn’t have the game-winning hit, though, noteworthy because he’s delivered it the previous two seasons when the Pirates locked up a playoff spot.

Just when the Pirates appeared on their way to a rout, things got interesting in the fifth after Morton allowed a solo homer to Corey Dickerson and a three-run shot to Tom Murphy, making it 7-6.

But Blanton and the bullpen kept the Rockies at bay. Sean Rodriguez hit a three-run double to spark the big ninth.