News
Blanco ends duel with late sacrifice fly
Richard sharpens up after rocky first but gets no-decision
By George Von Benko / MLB.com
09/19/09 4:46 PM ET
PITTSBURGH -- San Diego's Henry Blanco delivered a bases-loaded, ninth-inning sacrifice fly, lifting the Padres to a 2-1 victory over the Pirates in front of 20,379 fans on Saturday afternoon at PNC Park.Pirates reliever Phil Dumatrait saw Chase Headley reach base on an error by second baseman Brian Bixler. After walks to Will Venable and pinch-hitter Oscar Salazar, Blanco knocked in Headley with a sacrifice fly off reliever Denny Bautista, who had replaced Dumatrait.
"We got some base on balls there in the ninth," Padres manager Bud Black said. "We got the error and a couple walks, and then Blanco, with a 2-0 count, looked for a fastball and got it and lifted one out to center, but we had good at-bats and took advantage of the walks and the error."
"Can't make errors and can't walk people in the ninth inning. It's always going to come back to haunt you," Pirates manager John Russell lamented.
San Diego lefty Clayton Richard and Pittsburgh right-hander Ross Ohlendorf hooked up in a pitchers' duel, but neither player was around for the decision.
Richard pitched six innings and allowed one unearned run and four hits. Right-hander Mike Adams, just off the disabled list, pitched an inning of relief.
Richard was pleased with his effort.
"Those are the types of games as a pitcher that you like to pitch in," Richard said. "Knowing that you can give your team a chance. I was a little erratic at the beginning and then I calmed down. I got a cutter going pretty effectively and was really around the plate. After the first inning, the defense played real well."
"Our guy Richard had to pitch well 'cause their guy pitched very well," Black said. "He did it to us in San Diego early in the year and served more of the same today, so Clayton had to match him and he did. I thought Clayton did a good job of utilizing his changeup and getting back into counts and getting outs. He really made some pitches to the middle of their order that needed to be made. He pitched well and then obviously the bullpen did a nice job."
Right-hander Luke Gregerson notched the win, upping his record to 2-3. Gregerson ran his consecutive innings scoreless streak to 17 with a scoreless eighth inning.
"I just like the way that Gregerson is throwing the ball," Black said. "He's throwing strikes, he's pitching aggressive, he's getting in the strike zone early and wiping guys out. He's pitching with a lot of confidence, which is great for a rookie. He's been an integral part of our bullpen, which I think the second half has really solidified itself as a very good bullpen."
Ohlendorf tossed seven innings and gave up one run on five hits. Right-hander Steven Jackson hurled one inning of relief.
Pittsburgh struck for a quick 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, nicking Richard for an unearned run. Ronny Cedeno drew a base on balls and advanced to third when Headley committed an error on a Robinzon Diaz ground ball. Cedeno scored on a fielder's choice.
San Diego knotted the score 1-1 in the top of the third inning, as Everth Cabrera stroked a run-scoring, one-out, double driving in Tony Gwynn, who had doubled.
Padres closer Heath Bell pitched the ninth inning to notch save No. 38 on the season.
George Von Benko is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
