PITTSBURGH (AP) — Miguel Andújar hit a tiebreaking three-run double in the seventh inning, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 4-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night.
Andújar’s hit snapped a 1-all tie and came in his second game with the Pirates. The designated hitter was claimed off waivers from the New York Yankees on Sunday.
“I’m very happy,” Andújar said. “The guys in dugout were telling me, ‘Welcome to the Pirates.’ I was very happy to come through in that moment for the team. I hit it good. I thought it was going out (of the park).”
The Pirates loaded the bases with one out on a single by Oneil Cruz and walks to Bryan Reynolds and Jack Suwinski by Buck Farmer (2-2). Andújar then hit a long drive off the top of the bullpen door in left-center field, clearing the bases.
It marked Andújar’s first three-RBI game since Sept. 27, 2018, with the Yankees against the Tampa Bay Rays. He finished second in the American League Rookie of the Year balloting that season behind the Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani.
Though he left the Yankees, who clinched the AL East title Tuesday night, Andujar is happy to be in Pittsburgh.
“We’ve got a group of guys here with a lot of talent,” Andújar said. “I’m super excited to be with this team. I’m going to get more opportunities here.”
Wil Crowe (6-10) pitched two scoreless innings of relief. All-Star David Bednar worked the ninth for his 18th save in 22 chances, the first since July 23 after being sidelined nearly two months by a lower-back strain.
“His stuff played, and I thought the ball came out of his hand well,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said of Bednar. “He’s getting back to moving down the mound the way we saw him before the injury, which is very encouraging.”
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