Pirate bullpen fails in 10-inning defeat
BALTIMORE — With a power-laden lineup that thrives on the long ball, the Baltimore Orioles are built to come back from almost any deficit.
That ability was displayed amply against the Pittsburgh Pirates, who had a seemingly secure lead before being victimized by Baltimore’s firepower Tuesday night.
Jonathan Schoop tied it in the ninth inning with his second homer of the game and Mark Trumbo singled home a run in the 10th to rally the Orioles to a 6-5 victory.
Baltimore trailed 4-1 after six innings and 5-3 in the ninth. Schoop’s two-run drive off closer Tony Watson knotted it at 5, setting the stage for Trumbo’s big hit.
Adam Jones singled with one out in the 10th against Wade LeBlanc (3-1) and took second when Manny Machado hit a fly ball to the warning track in left. Trumbo then lined a single to center, and Jones easily beat Andrew McCutchen’s throw to the plate.
Although a single won it, the four home runs that preceded it were pivotal.
“That’s kind of one constant with this team,” Orioles starter Kevin Gausman said. “We’re always just a couple swings away, and really one away if we have guys on base.”
Pirates starter Ivan Nova gave up three runs and five hits in six-plus innings. He yielded a solo homer to Seth Smith to begin the game, then departed with left knee inflammation after allowing back-to-back shots to Chris Davis and Schoop to start the seventh.
“They have a really heavy hitting lineup, especially with the big right handers. You have to be really careful with them,” Nova said.
Nova was poised to earn his ninth career win against Baltimore — his most against any team — until Schoop connected in the ninth to provide Watson with his fourth blown save.
“We didn’t have much going,” Trumbo acknowledged. “It happened pretty quick, and when you do it against these top relievers it’s rare.”
Davis opened the ninth with a single before Schoop teed off on an 0-1 pitch.
“The changeup was up and Schoop put a big swing on it,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said.
Brad Brach (1-1) worked the 10th for the Orioles, who improved to 8-1 in extra innings.
Gausman allowed four runs and eight hits in 6 2/3 innings. It was the fifth straight start in which he gave up at least eight hits.
A wild three-day ride for Ruben Tejada ended in the Orioles clubhouse. Baltimore obtained the utility infielder from the New York Yankees for cash considerations on Sunday, assigned him to Triple-A Norfolk, then selected his contract Tuesday — making him part of the big league club.
Trainer’s room
Pirates: LHP Antonio Bastardo (left quad strain) pitched two innings in relief for Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday without allowing a run. ... RHP Jamieson Taillon will make his next rehab start today for Indianapolis. Taillon had surgery May 8 to treat testicular cancer. ... C Chris Stewart (left hamstring pull) started baseball activity on Tuesday.
