Field Level Media
Jul 1, 2018
Wil Myers hit a solo homer and a two-run double Saturday night and left-hander Joey Lucchesi allowed one hit over five scoreless innings as the Padres held on to defeat Pittsburgh 4-3 in San Diego to even their three-game series at 1-1.
Both Myers and Lucchesi are recent returnees from the disabled list.
Myers was activated June 21 after missing 49 games with a left oblique strain. Lucchesi was making his third start since missing 33 games with a glut strain.
Lucchesi (4-3) picked up his first win since April 28. Working on a 90-pitch limit, the rookie allowed only a fourth-inning, lead-off single by David Freese and four walks with five strikeouts.
Left-handed closer Brad Hand picked up his 23rd save by stranding the tying run at third with no outs after giving up three straight extra-base hits to open the ninth.
Myers hit his first homer since April 2 and had his first three-RBI game of the season. This was only his 19th game of the season. The outfielder was also on the disabled list for 16 games in April due to a nerve issue in his right arm.
The Padres took a 1-0 lead in the second. Christian Villanueva doubled with one out, moved to third on a Jose Pirela single and scored when the Pirates failed to convert a Freddy Galvis grounder to first into a double play.
Myers then hit his 395-foot homer to right-center with two out in the third.
Pirates right-handed starter Trevor Williams issued back-to-back walks to Austin Hedges and pinch-hitter Matt Szczur with one out in the fifth. After Travis Jankowski advanced both with a sacrifice bunt, Myers lined a two-out double down the line in left.
Josh Bell opened the Pirates sixth with a single, but was forced at second on Josh Harrison's sharp grounder to third baseman Villanueva. Freese doubled Harrison to third, and he scored on Elias Diaz's ground out.
Diaz opened the Pirates' ninth with a line-drive double to left. Austin Meadows followed with an RBI double and scored on Gregory Polanco's triple. But right fielder Hunter Renfroe made running catches on the next two hitters to freeze Polanco at third, and Hand struck out Starling Marte to end the game.
Williams (6-6) allowed four runs on four hits and two walks with four strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.
--Field Level Media