Pirates come back to beat Tigers, 5-3

The Pirates posted a four-run seventh inning to come back to beat the Tigers Wednesday, 5-3.

A.J. Burnett wasn't his usual self, and Anibal Sanchez dominated the first several innings, so it looked for a while like the Pirates might be in for a long night. The Pirates did score first, as Neil Walker homered for the second straight game in the fourth inning, blasting a first-pitch fastball just over the wall in right-center. But the Tigers scored three in the fifth, on a walk, an RBI double by Andy Dirks, and a two-run homer by Miguel Cabrera. Burnett left after six after four strikeouts and four walks.

Sanchez had been striking out the Pirates all day, much like Rick Porcello did last night. But the Bucs, down 3-1, finally got to him in the seventh. Garrett Jones hit a one-out single, and Russell Martin walked. Then Pedro Alvarez doubled to center to bring home two runs, and Travis Snider brought home Alvarez with a double of his own. Then Snider moved up on a wild pitch, and Jordy Mercer brought him home with a perfect suicide squeeze.

Tony Watson pitched the eighth against the bottom of the Tigers' order, and Jason Grilli pitched a scoreless ninth for the save.