Bullpen Blows Lead, Pirates Lose 6-5

SAN DIEGO (KDKA) – The Pittsburgh Pirates had a chance to get back to the .500 mark Tuesday night, but the bullpen came up short.

The Padres (12-18) erased a 5-3 deficit in the seventh inning and scored the game-winning run in the eighth to knock off the Pirates (14-16) 6-5.

For the second straight night, Pittsburgh jumped out to an early lead.

Andrew McCutchen walked to start the game and advanced to second on a bunt single by Xavier Paul.

After Garrett Jones struck out, Neil Walker ripped a double to center that brought both McCutchen and Paul home to put the Bucs up 2-0.

The score would remain unchanged until San Diego took the lead in the third inning.

Starting pitcher Mat Latos and Eric Patterson homered to tie the game before Cameron Maybin's RBI single to left field put the Padres ahead 3-2.

Pittsburgh was able to battle back and retake the lead in the seventh inning.

Chris Snyder walked to lead off the inning and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Brandon Wood.

Ronny Cedeno singled to right field to put runners on the corners with one out.

Then, Matt Diaz doubled to center field which brought Snyder home to tie the game 3-3.

McCutchen was up next and cleared the bases with a single to center field to put Pittsburgh up 5-3.

However, the lead wouldn't last long as San Diego tied it up in their half of the seventh inning.

Michael Crotta took the hill for the Pirates and allowed singles to the only two batters he faced. Crotta was quickly replaced by Joe Beimel.

After a bunt single loaded the bases, Beimel walked Ryan Ludwick to force home a run.

Jorge Cantu followed by hitting into a double play, but it was good enough to tie the game 5-5.

Beimel remained in the game for the eighth inning and struck out Brad Hawpe.

Up next was Rob Johnson, who hammered a pitch over the left field wall to put San Diego ahead 6-5.

In the ninth inning, Wood walked to begin the inning and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Cedeno.

However, he was thrown out while attempting to advance to third after a pitch got away from Johnson.

Ryan Doumit was Pittsburgh's last chance and he struck out to end the game.

Pirates' starter Jeff Karstens (2-1, 4.05 ERA) allowed three runs and six hits over four innings, but did not figure into the decision.

For San Diego, Latos (0-4, 4.55 ERA) allowed two runs on five hits, while striking out five and walking two in six innings of work.

Mike Adams got the win after allowing one hit in the eighth inning and Heath Bell recorded his seventh save of the year.

The teams will close out their three-game series Wednesday night at 6:35 p.m.

The probable pitchers are Kevin Correia (4-2, 2.90 ERA) and Clayton Richard (1-2, 3.82 ERA).