Skip to main content

Pirates lose to Marlins 3-2 in 10 innings

By WTOP Staff

STEVEN WINE
AP Sports Writer

MIAMI (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates’ struggling relief pitching of late finally cost them a victory.

The bullpen endured another meltdown Sunday, blowing a two-run lead in the eighth inning, and Casey McGehee hit a sacrifice fly in the 10th to help the Miami Marlins avert a series sweep by winning 3-2.

Pittsburgh relievers gave up 11 earned runs in 9 2-3 innings in the series, an ERA of 10.24.

“I don’t think it’s any one particular thing that has tripped up any of our guys,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “You have to look at each game. It’s like a golf course. Each hole plays different.”

On Sunday, Vance Worley pitched seven innings in his season debut and left with a 2-0 lead.

But the Marlins tied the game in the eighth when McGehee hit a two-out, two-run double off Tony Watson, who entered the game with a streak of 21 1-3 consecutive scoreless innings.

“With the way Vince pitched, you always feel bad not being able to hold the lead for him,” Watson said. “But Casey is a good RBI guy this year. That’s what he does, and he made me pay. Sometimes to have to tip your hat.”

The Marlins gave McGehee a chance to return to the majors after he spent 2013 in Japan, and he has repeatedly rewarded their faith.

He leads the majors with 30 hits with runners in scoring position, and he’s batting .411 in those situations.

The Marlins earned their sixth walkoff win and broke a three-game losing streak.

The Pirates had won four in a row and were bidding for their first three-game series sweep in Miami since 1993. They won the first two games because they totaled 35 hits, but failed to build enough of a cushion in the finale.

Rookie Gregory Polanco, who is batting .387 after a week in the big leagues, had two hits and joined some exclusive company. He’s the first Pirates player to get a hit in each of his first six games since Roberto Clemente in 1955.

Andrew McCutchen had two hits and is batting .444 during an 11-game hitting streak.

But the Pirates stranded 10 runners, and they missed a chance to take the lead in the 10th, when A.J. Ramos (4-0) loaded the bases with none out. On a 3-2 pitch, Russell Martin grounded into a 5-2-3 double play started by McGehee, and Clint Barmes struck out to end the threat.

Worley was recalled from Triple-A before the game to fill in for left-hander Francisco Liriano, who went on the disabled list Wednesday with a left oblique strain. Worley allowed five hits and no walks.

“Today things were working,” Worley said. “I gave myself a chance out there, and that’s all you can ask.”

“Very solid,” Hurdle said. “He threw strikes and pounded the zone, and the tempo and the pace were really good.”

Leading off the 10th, Rafael Furcal fouled a ball off his left knee and tumbled to the dirt in pain, but stayed in the game long enough to single. Pinch runner Ed Lucas advanced on a sacrifice, and Giancarlo Stanton was intentionally walked.

Both runners advanced on a wild pitch, and McGehee’s fly to right field against Jared Hughes (3-2) scored Lucas without a play.

Polanco singled in the third and scored the game’s first run on Starling Marte’s double. Josh Harrison singled home a run in the fourth to put the Pirates ahead 2-0.

Notes: The Pirates optioned INF Michael Martinez to Triple-A Indianapolis. … Pittsburgh begins a three-game homestand Tuesday when RHP Brandon Cumpton (2-2, 6.06) starts against Cincinnati RHP Johnny Cueto (6-5, 1.85). … The Marlins open a three-game series at home Monday against the Cubs when RHP Tom Koehler (5-5, 3.68) starts against RHP Jason Hammel (6-4, 2.81).

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote