Bucs can’t figure out Rodriguez in loss to Arizona
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PITTSBURGH -- Eduardo Rodriguez pitched eight shutout innings, Gabriel Moreno hit a two-run homer and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-0 on Wednesday, clinching the three-game series.
Rodriguez (10-3) struck out two while giving up five hits on 105 pitches before Brandyn Garcia closed out a hitless ninth inning for his second save of the year.
The loss marked the fifth straight against a left-handed starter for Pittsburgh, while Diamondbacks starters gave up zero earned runs in 20ª innings pitched this series.
Moreno scored the game's first runs, smashing a slider 407 feet into the lawn past the center-field wall. With the hit, he extended his on-base streak to 26 consecutive games.
Max Kepler drove in the only other score with an RBI single in the sixth inning.
Despite three consecutive three-up, three-down innings to start the game, Jared Jones (2-2) surrendered all three runs and struck out five in six innings for the Pirates.
The Pirates have been shut out in three of their last seven games. They lost 2-0 to the Yankees a week ago and 11-0 to the Cubs on Saturday.
"I think that it's always tough after a loss because losing sucks, and when you sit here and try to talk positively, it's hard," Pirates manager Don Kelly said. "And looking at the home stand, 2-4 isn't good enough."
Wild card race
The Diamondbacks, at 57-52, are now second in the wild card standings, tied with the Phillies, also 57-52. The Pirates, at 55-54, are now behind the Padres who are 54-53. The Cubs are the top wild card team at 61-46.
"Today was frustrating. The fight is there, and we're right there. We just need to continue to do the little things that we need to do to get over the hump and win those close games, win the games against these teams."
Team notes
The Pirates recalled left-handed pitcher Hunter Barco, outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia and right-handed pitcher Noah Murdock from Triple-A Indianapolis. Pittsburgh optioned left-handed pitcher Brandon Eisert and right-handed pitcher Isaac Mattson to Indianapolis as well as infielder/outfielder Tyler Callihan.
The 25-year-old Barco has a 7.71 ERA and eight strikeouts in five relief outings with the Pirates this season. He has gone a combined 3-6 with a 4.89 ERA and 50 strikeouts across his 14 minor league appearances (seven starts) split between Indianapolis (13 appearances/six starts) and the Rookie-Level FCL Pirates (one rehab start) this season.
The 23-year-old Garcia has gone 7-for-35 (.200) with a double, two RBI, a walk, a hit-by-pitch and two runs scored in 13 games with Pittsburgh this year. He has hit a combined .279 (65-for-233) with 12 doubles, 10 home runs, 35 RBI, 23 walks, an .805 OPS and 43 runs scored over his 64 minor league games split between Indianapolis and Low-A Bradenton this year.
Garcia has gone 25-for-69 (.362) with eight extra-base hits, 11 RBI, eight walks, four stolen bases, a .979 OPS and 13 runs scored in 20 games with Indianapolis in July.
The 27-year-old Murdock has been on the Major League roster as the 27th man for the doubleheader two times (July 11 vs. Milwaukee and July 22 at New York-AL) but has yet to appear in a game with Pittsburgh. He has gone a combined 2-2 with one save, a 3.44 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 28 minor league appearances (two starts) split between Bradenton, Double-A Altoona and Indianapolis this season.
Up next
Pirates: Will start RHP Yohan Ramirez for tonight's opener of a four-game series at the Cincinnati Reds.