Pirates at Diamondbacks
THE STORY: The Arizona Diamondbacks were unable to solve Charlie Morton on Tuesday and dropped a 5-3 decision to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Arizona's fourth loss in six games kept its lead over San Francisco in the National League West to 5 1/2 games with seven remaining. The Diamondbacks' magic number to clinch their fifth divison title is three, but they are two games behind NL Central-leading Milwaukee for home-field advantage in the divisional series. Pittsburgh, which totaled five runs over its previous four contests, won for just the third time in 12 games.
TV: 3:40 p.m. ET, Root Sports (Pittsburgh)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Ross Ohlendorf (1-2, 6.82 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LH Wade Miley (3-2, 4.24 ERA).
Ohlendorf allowed two runs over seven innings at Los Angeles on Sept. 15 for his first win since July 2, 2010 - a span of 16 starts. The oft-injured righthander helped his own cause with his first career home run, which was his eighth hit in 103 major-league at-bats. Ohlendorf will be facing Arizona for the third time in his career and first since Aug. 5, 2009.
Miley had his three game-winning streak snapped at San Diego on Friday despite yielding only two runs in six innings. The 24-year old rookie has allowed two runs or less in four of his six major-league starts. Miley has surrendered seven runs in 11 innings over two outings at home but is 1-0.
ABOUT THE PIRATES (69-86): Morton tossed six scoreless innings to reach double digits in victories for the first time in his career. He also recorded a pair of hits, doubling his season total. Eight of Pittsburgh's 14 hits were for extra bases. Pedro Alvarez, who hit his first home run since July 30, has decided to skip the start of winter ball but kept open the possibility of playing in the Dominican Republic at some point. The Pirates acquired righthander Eliecer Cardenas from Atlanta as the player to be named in the Matt Diaz deal last month.
ABOUT THE DIAMONDBACKS (89-66): Arizona's pitchers have helped themselves considerably at the plate. They lead the major leagues with 53 hits and 32 RBIs. Daniel Hudson went 0-for-2 on Tuesday but still is tops with 17 hits and 14 RBIs. J.J. Putz has converted 21 consecutive save opportunities, one shy of the club record set from June 13-Sept. 22, 1998 by Gregg Olson. Team president Derrick Hall announced on Tuesday that he has been
diagnosed with prostate cancer. Hall took in Tuesday's game from his
usual seat near the Diamondbacks' dugout, where he received hugs of
support from team employees.
FINAL PITCH: Pittsburgh's Joel Hanrahan has recorded 39 saves, the third-highest single-season total in franchise history. Mike Williams set the club record of 46 in 2002 and Jose Mesa notched 43 two years later.