Pirates stumble against Phillies in 4-3 loss

ROB MAADDI
AP Sports Writer

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A fielding blunder cost the Pittsburgh Pirates an important game in the middle of their playoff chase.

Maikel Franco hit a tiebreaking single in the seventh inning, Freddy Galvis was a triple shy of the cycle and the Phillies beat the Pirates 4-3 on Tuesday night.

The Phillies took a 1-0 lead in the first on Chase Utley’s RBI single. Franco hit a popup to shallow right that fell for a double when second baseman Neil Walker couldn’t see it in the lights.

It ended up costing the Pirates, who entered the night with a 1 1/2-game lead over Atlanta and Milwaukee for the second NL wild card.

“It was a tight, well-pitched game, but we gifted them a run,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said.

Pittsburgh also lost a run after a video review showed that a fan reached over the fence and touched Starling Marte’s drive to left-center in the fifth. Marte was awarded a double instead of a homer and was stranded at third.

“It went to their advantage,” Hurdle said.

Pirates starter Edinson Volquez gave up three runs and six hits in six innings. He wasn’t pleased to leave the game early.

“I threw 90 pitches. He took me out,” said a frustrated Volquez, who actually threw 92.

Galvis homered, doubled and scored the go-ahead run after an infield single and a stolen base. Justin De Fratus (3-1) pitched a scoreless inning for the win. Jonathan Papelbon finished for his 36th save in 39 chances.

Galvis led off the seventh with a grounder to deep shortstop for a single off Justin Wilson (3-4). After a pair of strikeouts, Galvis stole second. He scored on Franco’s hit to right.

“An infield single and a seeing-eye single,” Hurdle said.

Galvis hit a drive way out to right to tie it at 3 in the fifth.

“I was behind in the count and I paid for it,” Volquez said. “He wanted a fastball down the middle and he got it.”

Jordy Mercer’s RBI double in the second tied it at 1. Russell Martin hit a two-run double to right, giving the Pirates a 3-2 lead in the third.

Phillies starter David Buchanan helped himself with an RBI single after Galvis hit a double off the right-field wall in the second.

Buchanan allowed three runs — two earned — and four hits in six innings.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Pirates: RHP Charlie Morton threw a simulated game, but it doesn’t appear he’ll come off the disabled list soon unless the Pirates need a starter. Morton had been pitching with a sports hernia. … INF Josh Harrison returned to the lineup for the first time in four games. Harrison, who aggravated a left ankle injury Saturday, played 3B and led off.

UP NEXT

Pirates: Former Phillies right-hander Vance Worley (6-4, 3.05 ERA) takes the mound Wednesday night. In 2011, Worley was 11-3 with a 3.01 ERA and finished third in NL Rookie of the Year voting while helping the Phillies win a fifth straight division title. He was traded to Minnesota in 2012 in a deal for CF Ben Revere.

Phillies: RHP Jerome Williams (3-0, 2.84) makes his sixth start since joining the team last month. He’s allowed two runs or less in four of five outings.

GLOVE WORK

Franco robbed Andrew McCutchen of an RBI hit with a diving, backhanded grab on his sharp grounder down the line in the fifth. Franco, a top prospect, has started three straight games. The Phillies have to determine whether Franco or Cody Asche is their third baseman of the future. Franco also can play 1B.

GOING STREAKING

Marte extended his hitting streak to nine games with his fourth straight multihit game. He is batting .367 with six homers since Aug. 9.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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