The Pirates were handcuffed by Arizona starter Daniel Hudson. Once he was gone, the floodgates opened and the Pirates rallied for the win.
Pittsburgh only managed three hits off Hudson in seven innings, yet somehow put a three spot on the board. Pittsburgh was trailing 1-0 going into the second as Kelly Johnson hit a solo homer for Arizona in the first. But Pittsburgh wrestled away the lead. Andrew McCutchen walked and Lyle Overbay reached on a Juan Miranda miscue, putting both runners in scoring position. Chris Snyder’s sac fly tied it and Ronny Cedeno singled in Overbay.
In the fourth, McCutchen doubled and scored on consecutive fly ball outs from Overbay and Snyder. The play on McCutchen was close. He was called safe as Miguel Montero appeared to be juggling the ball as he applied the tag. It actually looked like McCutchen beat the throw barely.
Bucco starter Kevin Correia was unable to hold the lead. Mirando dingered leading off the fifth to make it 3-2. Hudson singled and Ryan Roberts doubled in front of a two run single from Johnson, making it 4-3 in favor of Arizona.
It looked even worse for the home team when Chris Young homered leading off the eighth against Evan Meek.
But Pittsburgh rallied off of David Hernandez. He came into the game with an ERA under 2.00 and it almost doubled. He faced six men and retired none.
Garrett Jones and Jose Tabata hit consecutive doubles to start the inning, cutting the lead to a run. Josh Harrison’s single tied the score. Arizona attempted to get Harrison on Xavier Paul’s bunt attempt. They were unsuccessful and both men were safe. McCutchen reached on a four pitch walk. After falling behind 3-0 to Overbay, the fifth pitch to him from Hernandez was smoked for a bases clearing double. Hernandez exited in favor of Esmerling Vasquez and ht put out the fire.
Joel Hanrahan tossed a perfect ninth for the Pirates. Chris Resop needed four pitches to get the final out of the eighth and get the win. Hudson went seven and gave up three runs on three hits and a walk. He struck out seven. Correia was charged with four runs in five innings. He gave up eight hits and two walks. Hernandez took the loss. he was charged with five runs and retired no one.
The Good
Rallying late.
One game under .500.
McCutchen scored three times. He doubled and walked twice.
Cedeno had two hits.
The Bad
Correia was a bit off tonight.
The Rest
If Sean Burroughs puts his career together and clubs 50 homers next year, will anyone write that the Padres should’ve seen it coming?
Five of the Pirates seven hits were doubles.
Correia remains 4-8 against Arizona. Hudson has no decisions in two career starts against Pittsburgh.
This was Overbay’s first three RBI game as a Pirate.
Juan Miranda’s four hits represent a career best.
Hernandez had not allowed five runs or more since 5/5/10 against the Bombers.
