×

Freese’s HR lifts Bucs

PITTSBURGH – David Freese is adjusting to a part-time role nicely in his first season with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Freese hit a long two-run home run to cap a four-run fifth inning, Sean Rodriguez also homered and the Pirates rallied for a 5-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday night.

Freese’s 451-foot blast into the Pirates’ bullpen in center field off Rubby De La Rosa (4-5) put the Pirates ahead 5-4. They trailed 4-1 coming into the fifth, but Gregory Polanco hit an RBI double and Starling Marte drove in a run with a groundout.

The Pirates signed Freese as a free agent in March to fill in at third base while Jung Ho Kang recovered from reconstructive left knee surgery performed last September. Since Kang was activated from the disabled list May 6, Freese’s playing time has been limited, but the former World Series MVP with the 2011 St. Louis Cardinals isn’t complaining.

“For one thing, you’ve got to love where you’re at and I love it here,” Freese said. “I love coming to the yard every day. I love playing on this team. I love being around the guys. That makes it easier to put aside personal playing time.”

Rodriguez, subbing for an ill Josh Harrison at second base, hit a solo homer in the fourth. It was Rodriguez’s fifth, one more than he had last season.

Polanco stayed hot with three hits. He is batting .343 with 14 RBIs in 16 games since being moved to the No. 3 spot in the batting order and also has multiple hits in five of his last eight games. Polanco raised his career batting average against the Diamondbacks to .354 in 18 games.

Andrew McCutchen added two hits while the Pirates won for the eighth time in 10 games overall and 11th time in their last 14 games against the Diamondbacks.

Jeff Locke (3-3) gave up four runs and seven hits in 61/3 innings for his first career victory against the Diamondbacks. He walked one and struck out one.

“In my eyes, it’s not a very good performance by me,” Locke said. “Mistakes were made, mistakes that we’re not supposed to make in those situations, but the offense hung tight all night. We battled back.”

Mark Melancon worked around Chris Owings’ second double of the game with two outs to pitch a scoreless ninth and get his 16th save in 17 opportunities.

De La Rosa, pitching for the first time since May 15, was tagged for five runs and nine hits in 41/3 innings. He had his last turn in the rotation skipped because of tightness in his groin and triceps.

“He just tired out,” Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale said. “Coming off the layoff we were real cognizant of how many pitches he was going to go. He was going to be right around 100 – it was his game there in the fifth inning. But he hung a slider and Freese has made us pay numerous times this year.”

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today