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PHILADELPHIA -- Jeanmar Gomez and the Phillies bullpen couldnt capitalize on yet another strong starting pitching performance.Sean Rodriguez had a pinch-hit three-run homer in the ninth inning off Gomez, lifting the Pittsburgh Pirates over the Phillies 5-3 on Tuesday night.It overshadowed a quality outing from right-hander Alec Asher, who allowed two runs and four hits in 6 1/3 innings.Our starting pitching the last couple of weeks has been as good as anybody in baseball, Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said, adding Asher was the bright spot tonight.Asher was acquired in the 2015 trade that sent left-hander Cole Hamels to the Texas Rangers.Asher has now allowed just two earned runs (1.46 ERA) in his two starts for the Phillies this season.I thought it went well, said Asher, who threw 95 pitches. I wasnt tired at all.Pittsburgh remained six games behind the Mets for the second NL wild card.Rodriguez hit for pitcher Felipe Rivero (1-5) with two on and one out and drilled a 2-2 pitch from Gomez (3-4) into the second row of seats in right field.It was a tough day for me, Gomez said. It was a slider that was up. Some of my pitches were flat.Rodriguezs home run was his 13th of the season and first since Aug. 14. It was also his first pinch-hit home run since May 25, 2013.Rodriguez put the Pirates ahead after Francisco Cervelli reached on a walk and Jordy Mercer doubled off Gomez.Tony Watson struck out two in the ninth for his 12th save.Playing in just his third major league game, left fielder Roman Quinn had two hits and scored a go-ahead run in the eighth on Freddy Galvis sacrifice fly. In his first 13 big-league plate appearances, Quinn has reached base safely seven times.Hes an exciting player to watch, Mackanin said.Pirates right-hander Ivan Nova entered 5-0 since being acquired from the New York Yankees on Aug. 1. He allowed two runs and five hits while recording a season-high 11 strikeouts but left the game in the seventh after throwing 92 pitches.Nova missed the chance to become the second Pirates pitcher to go 6-0 in his first eight starts.I was getting ahead in the count and I threw some good sinkers and that was a good thing for me, Nova said. Theyre an aggressive team and they were out there swinging.Pirates manager Clint Hurdle was ejected for the sixth time this season and the 51st time in his managerial career in the sixth inning. Hurdle vehemently argued with first-base umpire Alan Porter over a call that resulted in Ryan Howard beating out a double-play grounder to bring in the go-ahead run for Philadelphia.The night was a mixed bag for Pirates rookie second baseman Adam Frazier, who gave Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead with an RBI single in the third inning but was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double. Josh Bell followed with a double that would have scored Frazier.Frazier also botched a fourth-inning grounder by Howard that tied the score at 1, had an errant throw on a potential double-play grounder by Maikel Franco that gave the Phillies a 2-1 lead in the sixth and grounded out with the bases loaded to end the seventh with the score tied 2-2 after Jung Ho Kang scored on a wild pitch.UP NEXTPirates: LHP Steven Brault (0-2, 3.38 ERA) will make his sixth career start when the series resumes Wednesday night. The 24-year-old has received just five runs of support in his five previous starts.Phillies: RHP Jake Thompson (1-5, 6.05 ERA) will make his eighth start of the season. The 22-year-old is looking for his first win since Aug. 12. Coyotes Jerseys China .com) - The Montreal Canadiens embark on their first road trip of the season as they head out west to battle the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. Wholesale Custom Coyotes Shirts . According to a report from the Vancouver Province, the Lions are expected to replace former DC Rich Stubler with defensive backs coach Mark Washington. http://www.customcoyotesjersey.com/ . But by the time the game started, the Toronto Raptors forward felt even worse. And, for three quarters, it showed as Gay shot a woeful three-for-13 from the field. Cheap Custom Coyotes Jersey . Dallas hasnt ruled out the star quarterback for Sunday nights game against Philadelphia, but all signs point to Romos back injury pushing Kyle Orton into the starting role after two years of limited play as the backup. Surely Ortons name isnt the first that comes to mind for fans wanting a change after years of damaging interceptions, fumbles or, most infamously, the field goal flub when Romo dropped the snap on a kick that could have won his first playoff game in 2006. Custom Coyotes Jerseys . Just as Montreal was settling into the first full working week of a new year, the Impact announced the appointment of their new head coach.Michael van Gerwen hit the top of the Premier League with another stellar showing, while Phil Taylor looks to be returning to his best - what did we learn from another thrilling night of darts? How were we going to follow Aberdeen and Van Gerwens record-breaking 123.4 average? Well the Dutchman dropped a cheeky 116.7 average, the fourth highest in the competition and the sixth highest in history.Mighty Mike dropped the first leg but found his rhythm soon after, winning seven of the next eight in scintillating style. It wasnt for lack of competition. Peter Wright averaged 109 and didnt miss a double, but Van Gerwen gave the flamboyant Scot very little opportunity to finish a leg. Having defended his Masters and Dutch Masters titles, Van Gerwen got back to where he feels he belongs in the Premier League with victory over Wright seeing him leapfrog Snakebite to take top spot heading into this weekends UK Open.Taylor looks like he is showing signs of being back to his very best following another commanding performance and there was a very welcome first victory of the competition for Michael Smith. But on a raucous night in Exeter, it was Van Gerwen who once again stole the show.Darts weve never seenVan Gerwen continued in imperious form, beating Wright 7-2 to take top spot for the first time and another incredible performance led Sky Sports expert Wayne Mardle to question whether the Dutchman is overtaking Taylor as the greatest player ever.It is debatable because you cant compare the two. Phil Taylor was utterly dominant in an era of good players, but nowhere near the quality of today. Since October 2012, Michael van Gerwen has dominated like Phil Taylor did back in the day. He won 18 tournaments last year and looks like an absolute machine. No one on this planet has ever played darts like Michael van Gerwen is right now, including Phil Taylor. Wayne Mardle on Michael van Gerwen Van Gerwens 116.7 average means that his last two performances are the best of his Premier League career, and he was pleased with his form.Im really glad I brought the confidence through from last week, Van Gerwen told Sky Sports.You need to be confident and focused otherwise you cant perform at this level. Im always trying to do my best, and Ill try to do even better next week.Wayne Mardle was full of praise for the Dutchman, who will face heavy scoring Dave Chisnall in Nottingham next week.He said: Michael van Gerwen is becoming unplayable. Its darts like weve never seen. No one on this planet has ever played darts like Michael van Gerwen is right now, including Phil Taylor. Wayne Mardle and Rod Harrington debate whether Michael van Gerwen can replace Phil Taylor as the best darts player of all time Off the markMichael Smith won his first ever Premier League match, beating Raymond van Barneveld 7-5 to keep hopes of a play-off place alive.It was an edgy affair, with both players missing big opportunities. Smith, who went 3-1 up in the early stages, had chances for a 5-2 lead, but instead saw himself pegged back to 4-4 by the Dutchman.Nerves were evident in the ninth when Smith, only requiring double top, threw high to allow Barney in to steal the advantage. Bully Boy had the last word though, as he stormed back to grasp victory.The timing couldnt be better for Smith, as he faces mentor and manager Gary Anderson next week. Michael Smith recorded his first victory of his debut Premier League campaign (Pic courtesy Lawrence Lustig/PDC) Powers point to proveTaylor kept the pressure on Van Gerwen, beating Adrian Lewis 7-1 in the opening match of the night. The Power, whose average of 115 last week was overshadowed by Van Gerwen, followed it up with a 104 in Exeter, giving Lewis no opportunity to build momentum.It was a tough night for Jackpoot, who never found his rhythm, missing a few key doubles in the early legs.dddddddddddd After an opportunity to take the second leg went begging, Lewis quickly found himself 5-0 down and the contest was effectively over. Premier League Night Five Report from Thursdays action in Nottingham Lewis has still never won a match in Exeter but he did avoid the whitewash, taking the sixth leg, before Taylor took the last two, and the six-time Premier League winner was keen to eradicate the memories of watching last years finals on TV.Taylor said: I sat at home, watching the O2 last year, and I was gutted. Ive been practicing hard, changed a few things, and Im hoping for the O2. Thats what Im after.Friendship with no benefitsJames Wade kept pressure on those at the top of the table, beating close friend Dave Chisnall 7-4. Both players missed clinical opportunities, and Wade put the faults down to their friendship away from the oche.I spend a lot of time with Dave throughout the season, Wade told Sky Sports. James Wades sizzling 161 checkout against Dave Chisnall was the biggest finish of the night Its hard to play a true friend, and thats why I think Dave didnt play as well tonight, and maybe why I didnt play as well as I can.The win was important for Wade who, despite posting good numbers, had lost his last two matches. The result keeps him just two points from the top.A champions grit Gary Anderson defeated fellow Scot Robert Thornton in a scrappy match (Pic by Lawrence Lustig) Reigning Premier League champion and two time champion of the world Gary Anderson notched his second win of the season against an erratic Robert Thornton, claiming a 7-4 win as both players failed to punish the others mistakes.Anderson found himself 3-0 down, having failed to make a double in seven attempts. However the Flying Scotsman dug deep, punishing Thorntons inaccuracies to win seven of the next eight legs and take the game despite a sub-90 average.Both players have struggled for form, and it doesnt get any easier for the Thorn, who faces Phil Taylor in Nottingham next week. Premier League NIght Six - Fixtures Michael Smith v Gary Anderson Peter Wright v Adrian Lewis Raymond van Barneveld v James Wade Robert Thornton v Phil Taylor Dave Chisnall v Michael van Gerwen Also See: MVG goes top after Wright victory WATCH: The best ever? Night five as it happened Premier League table ' ' '