The Pirates’ defense did what it could with balls that remained in the field of play. Matt Joyce made a diving catch. Starling Marte’s full-extension dive in center preserved a one-run lead. Jordy Mercer made a blind over-the-shoulder catch in shallow left-center field.
But in the eighth inning, with Albert Puj0ls at the plate, they could only turn and watch.
Pujols hit a go-ahead homer off Tony Watson and the Pirates lost to the Los Angeles Angels, 5-4, at PNC Park Sunday. Watson allowed a run for the third consecutive outing, one day after giving up four runs in one-third of an inning.