McCutchen hits inside-the-park HR, Bucs top Phils

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Andrew McCutchen hit the first inside-the-park home run of his career and the Pittsburgh Pirates protected their lead in the NL wild-card race, beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-3 Wednesday night.

The Pirates began the day with a 1 1-2-game lead over Atlanta and Milwaukee for the second wild-card spot. Pittsburgh has won six of seven.

Pittsburgh trailed 3-2 in the fifth inning when McCutchen hit a ball off the wall in straightaway center field. The ball ricocheted toward the alley in right-center, and away from center fielder Ben Revere.

McCutchen took off, and the reigning NL MVP scored standing up to tie it. Russell Martin hit a solo homer into the center-field seats later in the inning.

Vance Worley (7-4), traded by the Phillies after the 2012 season, won in his return to Philadelphia. The Pirates' bullpen pitched four hitless innings, and Mark Melancon got his 28th save.

Jerome Williams (3-1) contributed a two-run single.

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