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Game 2: Cedeno Delivers Walk Off Knock in 10th

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Ronny Cedeno
Ronny Cedeno sent the fans home happy last night – Matt Bandi/PLC
The Pirates have won two straight to open the season. Not too bad. Just 80 more wins to go.

After a couple of tenuous late innings, the Pirates pulled it out with a bases loaded single from Ronny Cedeno off of Ramon Ortiz in the 10th. It all started early on when Garrett Jones hit a three run bomb in the first off of Clayton Kershaw. Ross Ohlendorf cruised through four innings, but allowed three runs and three hits in the fifth. The outburst was aided by an Andy LaRoche error.

The Pirates failed to advance a runner to second in the sixth through ninth innings. But LA was threatening often. Rafael Furcal reached second with no one out in the 7th and was stranded. Off Octavio Dotel in the 9th, Jamey Carroll reached third with zero retired and was stranded. Brendan Donnelley put two on in the 10th, but allowed no enemy runners to tally.

In the home 10th, Lastings Milledge reached on an error from Blake DeWitt. One sacrifice and two walks later brought Cedeno to the plate for the deciding play.

Donnelley won in relief. Ortiz was the loser.

Ohlendorf gave up three runs (two earned) in five innings. He walked three and whiffed one. Kershaw was pulled after 4-2/3 with control problems. He gave up six walks and five hits but the Pirates could get nothing more from him other than Jones’ first inning blast.

The Good
Opening the season 2-0 for the first time since 2007.

Bucs were 12-22 in one run games last year. So, this is nice start to the close ones.

Pirate hitters drew nine walks. They received nine or more free passes just three times in 2009.

The Bad
Remember last year when Andy LaRoche got off to a bad start? He is hitless and committed an error. He did walk three times.

Pirate pitchers gave up nine walks. They gave up nine or more BB just twice in 2009.

The Rest
Kershaw had walked six batters in a game just one other time – August 2009 against Milwaukee.

Ohlendorf had pitched past the fifth inning in his final ten starts of 2009.

The Pirates entire pitching staff has a combined 219 career wins. Two relievers for LA – Russ Ortiz and Jeff Weaver – have 212 career wins.

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