CHRISTOPHER PANSINO – OVATHLETICS.COM
The Pirates took a 5-2 lead going into the ninth inning and in what have should have been a win for the Ohlendorf ended in a no decision for the starter.
Ross Ohlendorf gave himself a great shot at a win night, pitching six plus innings giving up just four hits and two run, walking one and striking out six in the process.
The Pirates offense put up five runs in late innings.
In the sixth inning Chris Snyder three run homer gave the Pirates a 3-1 lead.
Then in the seventh inning Jone’s hit a solo homer to lead off the inning and extend the lead to 4-2.
And in the eighth inning a wild pitch allowed Delwyn young to score from third for a 5-2 lead
However, in the top of the ninth inning closer Joel Hanrahan gave up a big three run homer to Ian Stewart to tie up the ball game and blow the win for Ohlendorf. Hanrahan was charged with his third blown save of the season.
And the Bullpen continued to struggle in the top of the tenth as Sean Gallagher gave up a two run bomb to Todd Helton to give Colorado an 8-5 lead.
But the Bucos bounced back, as Andrew McCutchen appeared to hit a solo homer to start the tenth inning and narrow the lead. But replay determined that the ball hit off the top of the wall and McCutchen was given just a ground rule double.
Even despite this bad turn of luck the Pirates still managed to pull off the improbable win. Garrett Jones walk with two outs brought Pedro Alvarez to the plate. With the winning run now at bat and the game on the line Alvarez knocked his first walk off homer of his career over the right field wall to win the game 8-7.
This was Alvarez ten homer of the season and probably his most important of his career so far.
The Pirates have taken two of three with the Rockies so far and will finish up the four game series tomorrow afternoon at PNC Park.
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