Garrett Jones hit a bases-loaded single in the bottom of the ninth inning to carry the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 5-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday.
With two outs in the inning, Lastings Milledge walked on a 3-2 pitch and Jones followed with a blast off the right-center field wall against Reds closer Francisco Cordero (1-1).
The victory marks the first time the Pirates have won their first two home series of the season since 1992.
The Pirates rally came after their offense had been almost totally dormant for the previous six innings. Reds starter Johnny Cuerto and three relievers allowed just an infield single from the third through the eighth inning.
Reliever Jack Taschner (1-0) got the victory with a perfect frame in the ninth.
Cincinnati entered the bottom of the ninth with a one-run advantage, but pinch hitter Ryan Church collected an opposite field single with one out and Ronny Cedeno and Akinori Iwamura followed with walks to set up the winning hit.
The Pirates held an early 3-1 before the Reds tied the score in the third when Orlando Cabrera and Joey Votto collected back-to-back doubles and Jay Bruce hit a sacrifice fly to center to even the score.
Cincinnati | Pittsburgh | |
Johnny Cueto | Player | Daniel McCutchen |
No Decision | W/L | No Decision |
5.0 | IP | 4.0 |
4 | Strikeouts | 1 |
5 | Hits | 4 |
5.40 | ERA | 6.75 |
Cincinnati | Pittsburgh | |
Joey Votto | Player | Ryan Church |
3 | Hits | 1 |
1 | RBI | 0 |
0 | HR | 0 |
4 | TB | 1 |
.750 | Avg | 1.000 |
Team | Hits | HR | TB | Avg | LOB | K | RBI | BB | SB | Errors |
Cincinnati | 6 | 0 | 9 | .200 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
Pittsburgh | 7 | 1 | 12 | .226 | 12 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 0 | 0 |