Vance Worley dominates Giants in 100-pitch complete game

Vance Worley dominated the Giants, facing just two batters over the minimum en route to a 100-pitch complete-game shutout of the Giants Monday night.

The Pirates did most of their damage in the first. They led off with a walk, a single and then another walk off Madison Bumgarner, and then Gaby Sanchez brought home a run with a sacrifice fly. Neil Walker and Russell Martin each singled, bringing home a run apiece. And then Gregory Polanco followed with a sacrifice fly, making it 4-0. Josh Harrison hit a solo homer in the second to make it 5-0.

That was more than enough for Worley, who pounded the strike zone and got great results. Worley was perfect through four. He gave up a single to Pablo Sandoval leading off the fifth, but got Mike Morse to ground into a double play, thanks in part to a spectacular one-handed turn by Neil Walker. Gregor Blanco singled to lead off the sixth, but Russell Martin wiped him off the bases with a caught stealing. (Yes, in a 5-0 game.) Worley walked Joe Panik in the seventh, but got Buster Posey to ground into a double play. Worley didn't leave a batter on base until the eighth.

71 of Worley's 100 pitches were strikes; he whiffed three and walked just one. Worley's never-walk-anyone strategy seems to be working. While his peripherals don't quite support his 2.54 ERA so far, they're still pretty good, and Worley has earned continued chances in the rotation once Gerrit Cole returns.