PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Once the Philadelphia bats went silent, the Phillies were doomed.
Pitcher Jerome Williams got a two-run single in the fourth inning that put the Phillies ahead, but that was their last hit Wednesday night in a 6-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
“We just couldn’t get anything going on offense,” manager Ryne Sandberg said.
Vance Worley, traded by the Phillies after the 2012 season, won in his first appearance in Philadelphia since the deal. He pitched a 1-2-3 fifth inning and the Pirates’ bullpen took care of the rest.
Bobby LaFromboise, making his second appearance of the season, and John Holdzkom, pitching in only his fourth game, tossed blemish-free sixth and seventh innings. Tony Watson kept the ledger clean in the eighth, and Pittsburgh closer Mark Melancon converted his 28th save in 32 opportunities with a spotless ninth inning.
The Pirates kept their 1 1-2-game lead over Atlanta and Milwaukee for the second wild-card spot. Pittsburgh has won six of seven.
Pittsburgh trailed 3-2 in the fifth inning when Andrew McCutchen hit a ball off the wall in straightaway center field. The ball ricocheted toward the alley in right-center, and away from center fielder Ben Revere.
McCutchen took off, and the reigning NL MVP scored standing up with his first career inside-the-park homer to tie it.
“I didn’t know far (the ball) was going to go,” Williams said. “I thought Ben might have a chance for it, but it hit the wall.”
Russell Martin hit a solo homer into the center-field seats later in the inning.
Vance Worley (7-4), traded by the Phillies after the 2012 season, won in his return to Philadelphia. Four relievers combined for four hitless innings, and Mark Melancon got his 28th save.
Williams (3-1) contributed a two-run single for a 3-2 lead, doubling his career RBI total to four.
“I was just trying to make contact and put the ball in play somewhere,” Williams said. “But I don’t really want to talk about that hit. That really didn’t do nothing, because I didn’t come back out there and get that shutdown inning.”
Josh Harrison and Starling Marte added RBI singles in the sixth for the Pirates. Martin had a two-run single in the first.
Cody Asche doubled and scored twice for the Phillies.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Pirates: 3B Pedro Alvarez has been diagnosed with a stress reaction in his left foot, and the typical recovery time is four to six weeks. He has played in only one game since Aug. 26, when he first sustained the injury.
Phillies: LF Domonic Brown exited in the sixth inning with a bruised left shoulder. … LHP Cliff Lee had his left elbow examined by three physicians, including the team doctor, in recent weeks. He will remain on his present rehab plan and will not throw until November, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. … SS Jimmy Rollins, who strained his left hamstring on Monday, has “no timeline” for a return, Amaro said.
UP NEXT
Pirates: LHP Francisco Liriano (4-10, 3.74) takes the mound for the rubber game of the series. He earned a win Sept. 6, his first in his last seven starts.
Phillies: RHP A.J. Burnett (8-15, 4.29) gets the ball Thursday night. He has gone at least six innings in each of his last six starts, a streak that dates to Aug. 8.
GOING STREAKING
Marte extended his hitting streak to 10 games, during which he’s batting 16-for-40. He also doubled in the eighth.
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