Pirates, D-backs in rain delay after 11 innings
PITTSBURGH -- After a dramatic, back-and-forth 11th inning at PNC Park, Wednesday's series finale between the Pirates and D-backs was delayed by rain.
The Pirates staged a ninth-inning rally to tie the game and force extras as a storm approached downtown Pittsburgh. The two clubs played through the rain, and Arizona shortstop Nick Ahmed put the D-backs ahead with a two-out homer off reliever Johnny Barbato in the 11th.
Arizona reliever J.J. Hoover was one out away from ending the game, and getting both clubs out of the downpour, when Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer ripped a 92.2-mph fastball over the fence in left-center field for a game-tying home run.
As reliever Jhan Mariñez came out of the Bucs bullpen, the grounds crew began pulling the tarp. The delay began at 4:31 p.m. ET. The Pirates have emptied their bench and bullpen and even used three of their five starting pitchers: Chad Kuhl to start the game, Tyler Glasnow as a pinch-runner and Gerrit Cole as a pinch-hitter.
The D-backs are down to one reserve, catcher Jeff Mathis, but they have three relievers (Andrew Chafin, T.J. McFarland and Tom Wilhelmsen) available following the delay.