Andrew McCutchen’s walk-off homer wins it for the Pirates

Andrew McCutchen ended an 0-for-16 drought with his walk-off home run in the ninth inning of Saturday’s night game at PNC Park. It was his 31st home run of the season, leading the Pirates to a 2-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

Sep 24, 2012; Flushing, NY,USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) triples to center during the eighth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-US PREWIRE

The Pirates got a very strong outing from rookie Kyle McPherson. McPherson went six innings, striking out five  while giving up only four hits. It was an old-fashioned pitchers duel as neither team could scratch a run for six innings against McPherson and the Reds’ Mike Leake.

It was the Bucs who struck first in the seventh inning behind Alex Presley’s double, allowing pinch runner Chase d’Arnaud to score.

Unfortunately, the Pirates could not hold the lead as the Reds struck back in the top of the eighth inning, tying the game on an RBI single by Scott Rolen against Jason Grilli.

The Bucs loaded the bases in the bottom of the eighth inning, but could not get the winning run in as Starling Marte would foul out to end the inning.

Joel Hanrahan got out of a jam in the ninth inning to pick up his fifth win of the season. With the win the Pirates improved their record to 77-81. They will send Wandy Rodriguez to the mound tomorrow in hope for another win.