McCutchen, Bullpen Lead Bucs to 4-2 Win Over Nats

Andrew McCutchen went 4-for-4 and the Pirates bullpen rescued Erik Bedard who left with back spasms as the Bucs won the series against the Nationals. The Pirates pitching staff was up to the task of picking up eight innings after Bedard’s quick exit ensuring a 4-2 victory at PNC Park.

Bedard threw eight pitches, five got him through the Nats order in the first inning. Brad Lincoln replaced the Pirates stopper who is now listed as day-to-day. His next start is listed as Monday at the Miami Marlins.

Lincoln struck out four, walked one and gave up an unearned run.

The Bucs got on the board in the third when Lincoln reached first when the ball got away from Nats catcher Wilson Ramos. The top of the Bucs order fired up the singles network with Jose Tabata, Neil Walker and finally a Cutch single driving in two.

If you can find the clip watch how Cutch scored the third run. Casey McGehee hit the ball to Nats shortstop Ian Desmond who snared it cleanly but didn’t try to get McGehee at first. Desmond doubled clutched as McCutchen flew right around third base, headed full steam for home. The Desmond throw didn’t get him and the Bucs were up 3-0.

After the Nats scored an unearned run off Lincoln, Jared Hughes went to the mound in the fifth inning and struckout the side. Hughes went two innings and struckout four.

Juan Cruz gave up his first run of the season in the seventh inning. A Danny Espinosa double was followed by a Juanimal wild pitch putting him at third and he touched home on a Chad Tracy sacrifice fly.

Jason Grilli got into a corner in the eighth inning, but struckout Espinosa and then Rick Ankiel to close out the eighth. McCutchen gave the Bucs some insurance in the bottom of the eighth.

Joel Hanrahan got his sixth save when he stranded two runners after giving up a hitsbatsman and a basehit.  The Bucs closer pointed to the sky after getting Bryce Harper to pop out to end the game. Hanrahan lost his Grandmother and will be heading out for a few games on bereavement.