Pirates win arbitration case against 2B Neil Walker

PITTSBURGH (AP) Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Neil Walker is getting a raise, just not the one he wanted.

An arbitration panel sided Saturday with the Pirates in their case against Walker, who was seeking a pay bump to $9 million in 2015. The 29-year-old Walker instead will receive $8 million under the decision by Gil Vernon, Steven Wolf and Mark Burstein. Walker made $5.75 million last year.

Walker led NL second baseman with a career-best 23 home runs in 2014. Walker hit .271 with 76 RBIs in 137 games for the Pirates, who claimed a second straight wild-card berth.

The Pirates also face arbitration with corner infielder Pedro Alvarez and starting pitcher Vance Worley.