Pirates' Doumit does it again, this time in Cincinnati
The Pirates' best hitter on the road gets even better when he's down to his final swing. Ryan Doumit hit a solo homer with two outs in the top of the ninth inning last night - his second game-deciding homer in 3 days - and visiting Pittsburgh held on for a 2-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds, who couldn't stop the Pirates' Mr. Clutch.
The Pirates' best hitter on the road gets even better when he's down to his final swing.
Ryan Doumit hit a solo homer with two outs in the top of the ninth inning last night - his second game-deciding homer in 3 days - and visiting Pittsburgh held on for a 2-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds, who couldn't stop the Pirates' Mr. Clutch.
"You knew somebody was going to score sooner or later," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "We didn't know they were going to score like that."
Brandon Phillips tied it 1-all in the eighth with his 100th career homer off reliever Joel Hanrahan (1-0), who took over for lefthander Paul Maholm. Octavio Dotel pitched the ninth for his 10th save in 12 tries.
Doumit, who has a .333 average on the road, had the first game-ending homer of his career Sunday in the 10th inning of a 3-2 win over Atlanta. This time, he connected off Nick Masset (3-3), sending the Reds to only their fourth loss in 11 games.
In Pirates news, first baseman Steve Pearce (sprained right ankle) was placed on the 15-day DL.
In other games:
* At Chicago, Ryan Dempster pitched three-hit ball over eight innings, Derrek Lee homered and drove in all three runs, and the Cubs beat Los Angeles, 3-0.
In Dodgers news, shortstop Rafael Furcal was activated from the 15-day disabled list after missing 24 games with a strained left hamstring. Also, reliever George Sherrill went on the 15-day DL because of tightness in his back.
* At Milwaukee, Randy Wolf (4-4) pitched seven scoreless innings, Ryan Braun and Rickie Weeks homered and the Brewers snapped an eight-game home losing streak with a 6-1 victory over the Houston Astros.
* At Miami, Anibal Sanchez allowed two runs and five hits while pitching into the seventh inning, Cody Ross hit a two-run double in the eighth and the Florida Marlins extended Kenshin Kawakami's season of woe by beating the Atlanta Braves, 6-4. The 34-year-old Japanese righty is winless in nine starts this season.
In Braves news, outfielder Brent Clevlen (sprained big toe) was placed on the 15-day DL.
* At Denver, Jhoulys Chacin pitched six solid innings, Brad Hawpe and Troy Tulowitzki homered and the Colorado Rockies beat Arizona, 3-2.
In Diamondbacks news, infielder Tony Abreu went on 15-day DL with a sprained left wrist. In Rockies news, infielder Kaz Matsui signed a minor league deal.
* At San Francisco, pitcher Todd Wellemeyer (3-4) singled and scored the go-ahead run as the Giants snapped a five-game losing streak with a 4-2 win over Washington.
* At San Diego, Jon Garland (6-2) threw seven innings and Jerry Hairston Jr. homered in the second to lift the Padres to a 1-0 victory over St. Louis.