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Harrison lifts Pirates over Astros in 12th

May 13, 2012 - 11:20 PM

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Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - Josh Harrison smacked a game-winning single in the bottom of the 12th inning to give the Pirates a 3-2 victory over the Astros in the finale of a three-game weekend series at PNC Park on Sunday.

Clint Barmes led off the frame with a double into left off of Fernando Rodriguez (1-4) before Harrison lofted a single into left, allowing Barmes to score from second as the Pirates wrapped up a nine-game homestand at 5-4.

"That was a huge at-bat," said Barmes about Harrison's hit. "I couldn't be happier for him. Those are fun games to play, especially when you end up on the winning side of things."

Tony Watson (3-0) got the victory after tossing a scoreless top of the 12th while starter A.J. Burnett yielded just two runs on six hits while striking out four over eight innings of work.

Houston starter Wandy Rodriguez surrendered one run on three hits while fanning seven over eight innings before Brett Myers suffered his first blown save of the season when he allowed a run in the ninth.

Carlos Lee finished with two hits and scored both of the Astros runs but Houston fell for the third time in four tries.

"The last few innings, we didn't get a hit," remarked Houston manager Brad Mills. "That's kind of tough to try to string something together."

The Pirates struck first in their first at-bat as Neil Walker laced a one-out double down the left-field line and Andrew McCutchen followed with a double to nearly the same spot to plate Walker for a 1-0 lead.

Burnett faced the minimum through four but ran into trouble in the fifth when Lee ripped a leadoff double into center field and came around to score on a two-out single from Jason Castro, tying to game at 1-1.

Lee and Brian Bogusevic each slapped one-out singles before Chris Johnson ripped one through the hole on the left side of the infield, scoring Lee from second to give the Astros a 2-1 lead.

Pittsburgh would not go quietly in the ninth as Jose Tabata worked a leadoff walk and Walker followed with a double into the right-field corner before McCutchen was intentionally walked to load the bases.

Pedro Alvarez then lifted a sac fly into left field, tying the game at 2-2, as Myers earned his first blown save in nine opportunities.

Game Notes

The Pirates begin a seven-game road trip with a brief two-game set in Miami on Monday...Harrison's walk-off hit was the first of his career...The game was delayed 29 minutes due to rain.






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