Cedeno leads Pirates to 4-3 win against Diamondbacks
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Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero misses the tag as the Pirates' Andrew McCutchen scores game-winning run on an RBI single by Ronny Cedeno in the bottom of the ninth during Friday's game at PNC Park. -
The Pirates' Neil Walker hits a home run in the first inning. -
Pirate pitcher Brian Burres throws during the first inning. -
Diamondbacks pinch runner Justin Upton, running for Adam LaRoche, gets back to first safely against Pirates first baseman Garrett Jones during the ninth inning. -
The Diamondbacks' Stephen Drew slides back safely to first base as Pirates first baseman Garrett Jones misses the ball during the third inning.
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Facing the prospect of being one game away from 100 losses, the Pirates showed some resiliency.
Their starter worked out of a tough jam. Their bats showed some power. They didn't make all the plays on defense, but executed some tough ones at crucial times. Their bullpen kept the score tied when it needed to.
And Andrew McCutchen fought through a stomach bug to draw a crucial pinch-hit walk.
Ronny Cedeno's walk-off single scored McCutchen from second and gave the Pirates a 4-3 win against the Diamondbacks in front of 22,939 at PNC Park Friday.
Game: Pirates vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 7:05 p.m., PNC Park.
TV, radio: FSN Pittsburgh, WPGB-FM (104.7).
Pitching: RHP James McDonald (3-5, 4.13) vs. RHP Barry Enright (6-4, 3.39).
Key matchup: McDonald takes on all comers. He has not allowed a run in 17 innings, second-longest active streak in Major League Baseball.
Of note: Delwyn Young has 15 pinch-hits, four shy of the franchise record set by Jose Pagan in 1969.
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"He's making a statement," manager John Russell said of Cedeno. "I think that's what he really wants to do."
The win broke a four-game losing streak for the Pirates, who were swept by the Mets in New York and went 1-6 on their most recent road trip.
"New York, we were in a couple games but couldn't find a way," Russell said. "[Friday night] we did."
McCutchen was a late scratch from the game because he felt sick when he arrived at the park.
"I could barely get out of bed today," he said.
But he laid down, ate something and started feeling better by the fifth inning. With one out in the ninth, he drew a walk, as did Doumit behind him, off Diamondbacks reliever Esmerling Vasquez.
"Just bear down in there and battle," McCutchen said of his at-bat.
Then Cedeno popped his single to center field.
"I'm trying to put the ball in play because I know Cutch, he can run," Cedeno said. "I know they're going to throw me inside, but I'm going to stay inside the ball."
First Published September 18, 2010 12:12 am
