UC/Princeton product Josh Harrison helps Bucs beat Mets in his big league debut
10:29 PM, May. 31, 2011
NEW YORK – Neil Walker hit a two-run single in the eighth inning off a game and gritty R.A. Dickey to help the Pittsburgh Pirates rally past the New York Mets 5-1 Tuesday night.
Josh Harrison, a Princeton High and University of Cincinnati product, stroked a tying single with two outs in the eighth to cap a successful major league debut and Pittsburgh got another fine outing from a starting pitcher. This time it was James McDonald, who gave up his only run on an infield dribbler.
McDonald allowed five hits in six innings against New York’s depleted lineup before Evan Meek (1-1) worked a perfect seventh. Jose Veras did the same in the eighth and Joel Hanrahan got three quick outs to end it.
Pirates starters have gone 12 consecutive games without allowing more than two earned runs.
With the Mets leading 1-0 in the eighth inning, Harrison lined a base hit into right field for his first career RBI. Harrison advanced to second on the throw to the infield, making it with a headfirst slide, and the fired-up rookie clapped his hands together hard.
Brandon Wood replaced Harrison at third base in the bottom of the eighth and looped a two-run single to left-center in the ninth off Bobby Parnell, activated from the disabled list Monday.
Harrison was called up from the minors Monday when the Pirates placed reserve infielder Steve Pearce on the DL.
Harrison singled in the third inning Tuesday for his first hit, and the ball was tossed into the Pittsburgh dugout to be saved as a souvenir.
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