Norris Slams Padres Past Pirates
- Updated: May 30, 2015
The red hot Pittsburgh Pirates sent Francisco Liriano out to the mound to be opposed by Padres righty James Shields.
Shields came into Friday’s start with a perfect record of 6-0.
Pittsburgh got things started in the 3rd inning when they loaded the bases, with two outs Pedro Alvarez hit a single against the shift that drove in 2 runs to put the Pirates ahead.
James Shields battled through 6 innings allowing two runs and striking out 6. Francisco Liriano was just as good, allowing no runs and striking out 11.
Will Middlebrooks started the rally in the 7th inning with a leadoff walk, Jedd Gyorko followed that up with a single to put two men on with no outs. The next batter, Abraham Almonte laced a double into left center-field to drive in both Middlebrooks and Gyorko. The Padres were unable to push the go ahead run across in the 7th.
All the heroics came in the 9th inning, starting with a Gyorko walk. Next up Almonte attempting to sacrifice bunt reached on an error by pitcher Rob Scahill. Gyroko would end up making it to third and Almonte to second. An intentional walk to Cory Spangenberg loaded the bases with no outs. Alexi Amarista and Yangervis Solarte were unable to get the ball out of the infield putting the Padres in jeopardy of not coming away with any runs.
Derek Norris strolled to the plate 0-4 with 4 strikeouts already. On an 1-0 pitch, Norris hammered a slider to the Padres bullpen in left center field to send the Padres home with their first walk off win of the season,6-2 in the grandest way possible.
Craig Kimbrel recorded his first win of the season and Scahill was credited with the loss to fall to 1-3.
The Padres and Pirates continue their four game set Saturday at 7:10 with Tyson Ross (2-4 3.84) facing Charlie Morton (1-0 2.57).
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