The Korea Herald

피터빈트

Alvarez lifts Pirates past Tribe

By Korea Herald

Published : June 18, 2012 - 19:53

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CLEVELAND (AP) ― Pedro Alvarez had one of his best games yet. Still, it was a win by the Pittsburgh Pirates that had him really excited.

Alvarez drove in a career-high six runs with his second two-homer game in two days, powering Pittsburgh past the Cleveland Indians 9-5 Sunday.

“I’m just glad to help us win the series,” Alvarez said as music blared in the clubhouse following the Pirates’ second victory in three games, giving them a sixth series win in their last seven matchups.

Alvarez seemed unfazed by his own accomplishment ― hitting three-run homers in the fourth and fifth innings for his fourth career multihomer game. He also doubled, for his first game of three extra-base hits.
Chicago White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham completes a double play over a sliding Los Angeles Dodgers baserunner on Sunday. (AP-Yonhap News) Chicago White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham completes a double play over a sliding Los Angeles Dodgers baserunner on Sunday. (AP-Yonhap News)

His previous two multihomer games also came in consecutive games, July 20-21 against Milwaukee.

“It’s just coincidence,” Alvarez said of homering twice in consecutive games once again.

Manager Clint Hurdle said Alvarez has worked hard to lift his average to .207 with a team-high 12 homers and 34 RBIs, three behind team leader Andrew McCutchen. Alvarez has 10 RBIs in four games after going 10 games without any.

“He’s worked hard to get to a better place,” Hurdle said. “He drove one ball to right, then took advantage of a mistake and hit another. He had a very good day at the plate.”

Yankees wrap up sweep

WASHINGTON (AP) ― The New York Yankees are used to big crowds, used to so-called “playoff atmospheres” in the regular season. The clubhouse is stocked with players who know what it’s like to be in first place.

Those are relatively new sensations for the on-the-rise Washington Nationals, who received a lesson or two in the Yankees’ first trip to the nation’s capital in six years. New York swept the series between division leaders, capping the three-game set Sunday with another solid performance from starter Ivan Nova in a 4-1 win.

Detroit 5, Colorado 0

Toronto 6, Philadelphia 2

Cincinnati 3, NY Mets 1

Baltimore 2, Atlanta 0

Tampa Bay 3, Miami 0

Minnesota 5, Milwaukee 4

Kansas City 5, St. Louis 3

Texas 9, Houston 3

LA Angels 2, Arizona 0

San Diego 2, Oakland 1

Seattle 2, San Francisco 1

LA Dodgers 2, Chicago White Sox 1

Boston 7, Chicago Cubs 4