ST. LOUIS — Ivan Nova gave Richard Rodriguez the benefit of the doubt. After all, Rodriguez was in the bullpen at PNC Park, far away from home plate, one inning earlier when Anthony Rizzo knocked down Elias Diaz with an illegal slide to break up a double play Monday afternoon.
However, Nova, the leader of the Pirates’ pitching staff, thought Rodriguez should have taken action when Rizzo stepped to the plate in the ninth inning. Instead, Rodriguez, a right-handed reliever, uncorked a wild pitch before allowing a two-run single to Rizzo in a 7-0 loss to the Cubs.
Nova didn't want to speculate on how difficult the situation may have been for Rodriguez, but he, like Sean Rodriguez, thought it was a time when the Pirates should have supported Diaz.
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