Nick Gonzales’ run-scoring single in the bottom of the 10th inning gave the Pittsburgh Pirates a 7-6 win over the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night.
Gonzales’ hit up the middle off Erik Miller (0-2) scored automatic runner Connor Joe from second base, ending the Giants’ four-game winning streak. The Pirates have now won four of their last five games.
“My plan was to get the guy over,” Gonzales said. “Obviously not bunting there but trying to do the next best thing and get the guy over to third base so we can drive him in.” Gonzales ended up driving in the winning run himself.
This happened after the Pirates scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game at 6-all, handing Camilo Doval his first blown save in nine opportunities this season.
“The guys just fought,” Gonzales said of the rally. “Everyone fought, one through nine. Some really good (at-bats).”
Ji Hwan Bae singled in the first run, rookie shortstop Marco Luciano’s fielding error brought another in, and Bryan Reynolds’ RBI fielder’s choice got the Pirates within 6-5. Oneil Cruz then hit a two-out double to right field, tying the game.
“You bring (Doval) in with the score 6-2 and you feel pretty good about your chances,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said. “They got some hits off him and that rarely happens.”
David Bednar (3-3) worked a scoreless top of the 10th. Cruz had three hits, while Andrew McCutchen and Gonzales finished with two each.
Cruz’s dropped pop-up at shortstop in the first inning with two outs allowed the Giants to score the game’s first two runs. Cruz then hit a single clocked at 120.4 mph in the bottom of the inning.
“I was really (upset) when I went to hit, and I think that’s part of why I hit it so hard,” Cruz said.
