The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the San Diego Padres 5-4 in 12-innings Sunday, when newly acquired utility player Sean Rodriguez hit a walk-off home run. Rodriguez was picked up in a trade with Atlanta late Saturday for minor league catcher Connor Joe. He had been with the Pirates until signing a free agent contract with the Braves during the off-season. Rodriguez took a flight from Atlanta early Sunday in order to be in uniform at PNC Park for the game. He was part of a double-switch in the lineup by manager Clint Hurdle in the eighth inning. Closer Felipe Rivero allowed two runs to the Padres in the ninth inning, forcing extra innings. Pirate starting pitcher Jameson Taillon allowed two runs over 6-1/3rd innings. He walked two and struck out eight. Starling Marte had three hits. Jose Osuna had two and drove in three.
The victory also allowed the Pirates to pick up a game on first-place Chicago. The Bucs are 4-1/2 back in the Central Division. The Pirates host the Detroit Tigers tonight and tomorrow at PNC Park, before heading to Detroit for two games. Trevor Williams will start for the Pirates tonight at 7:05pm. Pre-game on WISR 680am will be 6:40pm.
As for Sean Rodriguez, he had been acquired by the Pirates in a trade with Tampa Bay in December of 2014. After spending two seasons with the Bucs, he signed a two-year deal with Atlanta this past off-season. He and his family were then involved in an automobile accident in January, after recoverning from shoulder surgery, he had just returned to the Braves for the past 15 games.
