Bucs use longball to get past Reds

     James McDonald dominated the Reds bats in another strong start in a 3-2 win in front of 33,000 plus.

     J-Mac would not allow more than one runner to reach base until the seventh when Scott Rolen would knock an RBI single with one out that followed a Jay Bruce triple. Rolen would be McDonald's last batter as he gave way to Juan Cruz, who would get Ryan Ludwick to hit into his second double play of the night. Jason Grilli would give up a run in the eighth while striking out two and the Hammer would pitch a perfect ninth to record his fifth save.

     The Bucco bats were only able to get six hits against the Reds pitching staff, but two of them would find their way over the fence which would be enough to get the victory. Jose Tabata would hit his fifth double of the season with two outs in the third. Neil Walker would follow with his first homer of the year, a two run shot into the Clemente seats to give the Bucs a 2-0 lead. After the Reds cut the lead to 2-1 in the seventh, Alex Presley would get the lead back to two with his second homer of the season, a shot to right center.
     Pedro Alvarez started his first game as cleanup hitter and recorded two walks in an 0-2 night.

Starters Lines   
McDonald: (W, 2-1) 6 1/3 IN, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K's (1 to Leake)
Leake: (L, 0-4) 7 IN, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 4 K's (1 to McDonald)

Stud/Dud of the game
Stud: Neil Walker - 2-4 with a single, homer, 2 RBI's, and a run scored.
Dud: Clint Barmes - 0-4 with 2 strikeouts and 4 left on base

Turning Point
Neil Walker's 2 run blast in the third. It put the Bucs ahead to stay.

Final Thoughts
-- Andrew McCutchen has yet to hit a homer this season. (He leads the team with a .298 avg.)

-- The Pirates are now 3-5 against NL Central opponents. (9-10 vs. rest of NL)

--  Only four relievers have been used in the first two games of this homestand. A breath of fresh air for Clint Hurdle who had to use the pen way too much in the series in St. Louis that ended three days ago.

This day in '92  - W @ Cin 5-2
     Paul Miller got the win with 2/3 of an innings relief work. Jose Lind, Steve Buechele, Gary Varsho and Andy Van Slyke would all record RBI's in the game.
     Van Slyke would go 3-4 with a single, double, homer, RBI, and 3 runs scored.