Andrew McCutchen did not want to see his Pittsburgh Pirates get swept by the Minnesota Twins, so he took matters into his own hands. His eighth inning home run tied the game and eventually sent the game in to extra innings.
On a night where the Pittsburgh Steelers trademark song Renegade was played in a tribute to Troy Polamalu, the Pirates pulled off their version of a fourth-quarter comeback but fell in overtime, by a 4-3 score in the 13th inning.
“You keep trying to find a way to fight,” Twins manager Paul Molitor said. “A lot of things transpired in that game to give us a chance. It’s a really good win.”
Jeff Locke started for the Pirates and opened the game with a 36-pitch and three-run first inning. Torii Hunter hit a three-run double off the Clemente Wall in right field. Hunter’s three RBI allowed him to pass Rod Carew for seventh all-time in Twins history with 735 career RBI with the team.
“Having him knock in all three [runs] on one swing, it’s kind of deflating,” said Locke.
In the bottom of the first inning, the Pirates received a leadoff single from Josh Harrison which extended his hitting streak to eight games. It was the first of three hits for Harrison who is 18-for-35 during the eight game stretch.
Neil Walker ended up on first base after a fielder’s choice and he would score on a Starling Marte double, his ninth of the season. It was a cue shot off the end of the bat that stayed fair down the first base line.
Locke settled in after the first inning, however the Pirates offense was unable to provide run support. Locke threw 99 pitches in six innings and 60 were for strikes. He allowed seven hits, two walks and struck out six batters.
Mike Pelfrey pitched six innings allowing just one run on five hits while throwing 92 pitches 61 for strikes.
A seventh inning run brought the Pirates to within one. Ryan Pressly came on in relief of Pelfrey and after retiring his first batter, walked both Pedro Alvarez and Francisco Cervelli. Sean Rodriguez then came in to pinch-hit and grounded into a force play.
Molitor came in and removed Pressly in favor of Aaron Thompson. Gregory Polanco was on-deck to pinch-hit but Clint Hurdle pulled him back in favor of Jose Tabata. The move paid off as Tabata got an RBI single for the second consecutive game.
In the eighth inning, McCutchen hit a one out homer to right-center field off Blaine Boyer to tie the game. McCutchen’s home run was his fifth of the season and 61st at PNC Park, which ties the franchise record held by Jason Bay.
The game moved into extra innings for the first time at PNC Park this season.
In the 13th inning, Antonio Bastardo [0-1] allowed a one-out home run to Joe Mauer, his first homer of the season. The ball cleared the Clemente Wall in right field. It was Mauer’s first home run since August and ties him with Roy Smalley for 12th on the Twins all-time list with 110 home runs.
“I was just waiting until we played the 13th inning to do it,” Mauer said. “I knew I hit it well, I was just hoping it was high enough with that wall out there. I was trying to drive the ball the other way but he made a mistake up and in and I was able to react to it. I’m glad it came in a big spot.”
Brian Duensing [2-0] earned the win for the Twins and closer Glen Perkins earned his 15th save of the season after setting down the Pirates in the bottom of the 13th. Perkins did face trouble allowing a hit to McCutchen and walking Jung Ho Kang, his first walk of the season but struck out Pedro Alvarez to end the game.
The Pirates were 0-5 in extra-inning games coming into the game. They now fall to 18-22 on the season.
“I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t frustrating,” said Harrison. “You want to win every game.”
The Pirates will have Thursday off before opening a three-game series against the New York Mets. Gerrit Cole [5-2 2.40 ERA] will face Noah Syndergaard [1-1 3.18 ERA]. Cole is 0-2 with an 8.00 ERA in two career starts against the Mets.
Photo courtesy: H. Rumph Jr./AP
