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PITTSBURGH -- There used to be a time -- any year really between 1993-2012 -- when reaching 81 wins would be cause for celebration for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Caris LeVert Jersey . Not anymore. These days the certainty of a non-losing season is nothing more than a speed bump on Pittsburghs resilient quest for a playoff berth. Gregory Polanco, Neil Walker and Ike Davis all homered and the Pirates beat the Boston Red Sox 9-1 on Wednesday night to maintain their grip on the second National League wild card spot. Polanco and Walker hit solo shots off Boston starter Clay Buchholz (8-9) and Davis drilled a three-run blast to centre off reliever Steven Wright. The Pirates have won 10 of 12 and improved to a season-high 11 games over .500 (81-70). Pittsburgh moved 2.5 games clear of Milwaukee in its race for a second straight post-season bid after the Brewers fell to St. Louis. "We got some good pitches to hit and didnt miss them," manager Clint Hurdle said. "Fun to watch those guys work in the box." Francisco Liriano (6-10) won his third straight decision, allowing one run in six innings. The left-hander worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the first inning and has now given up two runs or less in 11 of his 12 starts since the All-Star break, looking like the pitcher who won 16 games in 2013 than the one that struggled with his command and his health during a rocky first half to 2014. "It was a battle for me today, just trying to execute pitches, make good pitches," Liriano said. "I got a couple little plays and just a tough night location-wise but Ill take it." Boston rookie centerfielder Rusney Castillo went 1 for 4 in his major league debut. The Cuban defector signed a seven-year, $72.5 million deal with the Red Sox last month. Boston has lost three of four. "Obviously Id like a better outcome in terms of winning the game," Castillo said. "But I was pretty satisfied with my overall approach and the way I stepped in today." Castillos arrival in the Red Sox clubhouse on Wednesday afternoon ended a quick tour of the teams minor league system. He made stops at three different levels before coming up to Boston to stay. While manager John Farrell stressed the final games of an otherwise lost season are simply a chance for Castillo to "get acclimated" to life in the big leagues, the 27-year-old believes it wont take long for him to get up to speed. He provided a brief glimpse of whats to come in the fourth when he ripped a sharp grounder to second that Walker couldnt handle for his first major league hit. "Ill sign it and keep it in my house somewhere," Castillo said with a smile. While Castillo is a part of Bostons long-term future, the present belongs to the Pirates. Polanco wasted little time drumming Buchholz, who hadnt given up a homer in his last 36 innings. There was no chance to make it 37 after Polanco drilled a Buchholz fastball into the seats in right for his seventh homer of the season and first since Aug. 10. The lead ballooned to 4-0 in the second behind a two-run double by Clint Barmes. Walker golfed a Buchholz pitch into the first row of seats in right for his 21st homer of the season in the third, extending his record for most home runs in a season by a Pittsburgh second baseman. TRAINERS ROOM Red Sox: 2B Brock Holt, out with a concussion since Aug. 25, is scheduled to meet with concussion specialist Micky Collins on Thursday. Farrell said Holt is doing daily vision exercises and running on a treadmill but has not started baseball related activities. Pirates: RHP Charlie Morton reported no issues a day after pitching five shutout innings in his first start in a month due to a hernia issue. Manager Clint Hurdle said hes still hasnt made a decision on who will start when Mortons turn in the rotation comes up again on Sunday against Milwaukee. UP NEXT Red Sox: Brandon Workman (1-9) will try to end a nine-game losing streak when he makes his 15th start of the season. Workmans only victory of the season came on June 10 against Baltimore. His ERA is a season-high 5.27 after giving up five earned runs in three innings of a 10-6 loss to Baltimore last week. Pirates: Gerrit Cole (9-5) goes for his third straight victory. The 24-year-old struck out six and walked one while working six innings in a 7-3 victory over Chicago in his previous start. Taurean Prince Jersey . Interestingly, the culprits were not rookies, but well paid, experienced pros. The first gaffe came in the 24th minute of arguably the biggest early season MLS game in history between Seattle and Toronto. Sounder newcomer Marco Pappa, (with over 100 MLS games, and 39 Guatemalan Caps to his name) attempted a back pass to one of his central defenders. Dzanan Musa Jersey . Summers has seen scant playing time with the Coyotes since being selected 29th overall by the club in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, having played in 47 career NHL games. https://www.netsrookiesshop.com/ . 1 and reigning champion Caroline Wozniacki was among Thursdays third-round winners, while second- seeded Victoria Azarenka pulled out of the draw at the $4.MONTREAL -- A day after recording his first NHL shutout, the Montreal Canadiens sent goalie Dustin Tokarski to Hamilton of the AHL. Tokarski is 2-0-0 with a 1.84 goals-against average and a .946 save percentage in three games for Montreal this season. He made 29 saves Sunday night in a 2-0 victory over the Sabres in Buffalo. The Humboldt, Sask., native spent most of this season with Hammilton. Garrett Temple Jersey. He was called up when Carey Price suffered a lower body injury and missed the first eight games after the Olympic break. With Hamilton, Tokarski is 17-13-2 with a 2.34 average and a .919 save percentage. Montreal also assigned forward Michael Bournival to Hamilton for conditioning. He had been out since before the Olympic break with a concussion. ' ' '