Pittsburgh Pirates right hander Kyle McPherson threw a five strikeout gem against the NL Central champions. When the Bucs needed a pitcher to put up zeros, McPherson answered the call.
The big righthander fired six scoreless innings. McPherson had friends and family in the stands and they watched as their son struck out five and walked none.
McPherson got himself in trouble in the first inning, but #McFear wriggled off the hook with some solid pitch selection. He was on cruise control the rest of the way.
The one challenge the Pirates have had when McPherson is on the mound is that the offense doesn’t score runs. It didn’t change last night.
After six innings the Bucs had not scored for their starter, and both McPherson and Mike Leake exited with the scoreboard full of zeroes.
Right on cue, the Pirates plated a run when #Alway Smooth Clint Barmes ripped a single into the hole between third and short. When the pickoff attempt sailed into the seats filled with 36,000 Bucco/Lifehouse/Skyblast fans, Barmes moved to second base.
Hurdle called for the bunt, and Brock Holt delivered. Hurdle called on his inner Tony Larussa and had Jordy Mercer pinch run fo Barmes.
Outfielder Alex Presley followed with a double to the North Side Notch which plated d’Arnaud to give the Pirates a one-run lead.
Jason Grilli was called on to set the game up for closer Joel Hanrahan. It didn’t work out that way.
Former Bucco and now resident Buccoa killer, Ryan Ludwick crushed a ball into the left field corner to put a runner in scoring position for the Reds.
The ageless Scott Rolen singled, which scored d’Arnaud.
Hurdle doesn’t seem afraid when he brought in Joel Hanrahan in the eighth. But as is commonplace during non save situations for the Hammer, it was really interesting when he walked two, but Hanrahan escaped without giving up a run.
Chris Spier went to Jonathan Broxton in the bottom half of the ninth. It was obvious that Broxton wanted nothing to do with Cutch as he continually pitched him away.
McCutchen waited patiently before crushing his 31st bomb of the season. Hugs all around.
