The Pirates played turn back the clock by wearing throwback 1971 uniforms and scoring 10 runs in the 7th and 8th innings to erase an early 5 – 0 deficit and sweep the Reds out of Pittsburgh.
Phil Irwin started his Major League debut on a shaky note as the first three batters he faced got a hit and two walks to load the bases. Brandon Phillips would then come up and hit a 2 RBI single to make it 2 – 0 after a half inning. It could have been worse had it not been for a double play ball and a groundout to end the inning.
The second inning didn’t fair too well, either, as the first two batters would reach by walk and single. After a Matt Latos failed bunt attempt, Shin-soo Choo would hit an RBI double. A second run would also score on the play when left fielder, Starling Marte mishandled the ball.
Irwin would calm down until the 5th when Joey Votto would walk with one out. Phillips would then record his 3rd RBI of the day with a single to left to make it 5 – 0 Reds. His day would be done after 2 outs in the fifth as he would make way for Jeanmar Gomez. “You know, I think he’ll (Irwin) look back at this and it will be a very gratifying experience because we got the W”, said manager Clint Hurdle. “I think there were definitely some nerves that he dealt with and I think he found his rhythm in the 3rd to some degree. At least he got us to a manageable part of the game when it looked like that might not happen”
Gomez would go 2 1/3 scoreless innings in relief helping (1K, 1 BB). “Jeanmar did a nice job keeping the game in check to give us 2+ innings. He got ahead of people, stayed away from damage. That was much needed as well”, said Hurdle.
The Pirates would play “The Lumber Company” in the 7th when Michael McKenry led the inning off with a mammoth shot to center to make it 5 – 1. After 2 outs, Marte would single and Travis Snider would hit what seemed to be a homer over the Clemente wall, but a fan interfered and it was ruled an RBI double. That didn’t matter in the long run, though, as Cutch would knock Snider in with a double to make it 5 – 3. Gaby Sanchez would then pinch-hit for Garrett Jones and single in Cutch to make it 5 – 4.
The Reds would get a run back in the top of the 8th against Jared Hughes. Todd Frazier would lead-off with a double and be moved to third on a Chris Heisey bunt single. He would then score on a Jack Hannahan pinch-hit single to make it 6 – 4.
If you thought the Pirates would be done because they had their only big inning of the game……you were wrong. Pedro Alvarez led the 8th off with his second walk of the game which was followed by “The Fort’s” second homer in as many innings to send the home crowd of 19,239 into a frenzy and a curtain call for McKenry.”It’s an indescribable feeling”, said The Fort. “I got a curtain call today, it’s just humbling, and it’s a blessing to be a part of this Pirates team as well as this city. These people are great.”
The Pirates weren’t done in the 8th as Jose Tabata would work a one-out walk and Marte would follow that with a shot that just squeaked inside the left field foul pole to give the Buccos their first lead at 8 – 6. Gaby Sanchez and Neil Walker would both collect RBI singles to make it 10 – 6 thru 8.
Mark Melancon would come in for the 9th and give up a lead-off homer to Joey Votto to make it 10 – 7, but that’s all the Reds would get as Melancon would strike out 2 of the final 3 batters to complete the comeback victory. Final score: Pirates 10, Reds 7. The Pirates complete the 3-game sweep.
Even though his outing didn’t go as he wanted, Irwin still enjoyed the experience. “That was a lot of fun,” said Irwin. “The first two innings I fought through some nerves but I felt like I settled down after that and everything was good.”
The Pirates will start a 3-game set with the 1st place St. Louis Cardinals at home starting tomorrow night at 7:05.
Starters Lines:
Irwin (ND): 4 2/3 IN, 6 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 4 K’s
Latos (ND): 6 2/3 IN, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 6 K’s, 1 BB, 1 HR
Tomorrow’s Starters:
(PIT) James McDonald RHP (1 – 1, 3.75 ERA)
(StL) Lance Lynn RHP (1 – 0, 4.50 ERA)
