PITTSBURGH -- Earlier this week, after losing 24 of their first 28 games since the All-Star break, the Pirates decided it was time for a change in the clubhouse. They learned during that stretch just how hard it can be to win games in the Majors, so they appreciated the opportunity to celebrate each one.\n\nSo, after coming back in the ninth inning to beat the Cubs, 3-2, on Friday night at PNC Park, the Pirates celebrated accordingly. They got together and named players of the game:
“I felt myself shaking, then \\[after\\] ball four to Colin I was just like, ‘All right, here we go’ and just rolled into it,” Tucker said. “I calmed down. I felt really good up there. I felt like I had done it before even though I hadn’t. That was the coolest walk I’ll probably ever have in my career.”\n\nThen came Newman, another rookie playing his way into a prominent role. He also ran up a full count against Kintzler before bouncing a hard grounder to center field. The Pirates have five walk-off wins this season, and Newman has driven in the winning run three times -- on a 10th-inning double (April 6), an 11th-inning walk (June 23) and Friday’s ninth-inning single.
\n\n“They’re exciting, that’s for sure. Those are moments you dream of as a kid,” Newman said. “To be able to do that and come through for your teammates is a lot of fun.”\n\nIt was only the Pirates’ seventh win in 32 games since the All-Star break, but it felt like one worth celebrating.\n\n“We talked to \\[manager Clint Hurdle\\] the other day, and he made a really good point of saying you stay in the big leagues, you’re good, and you stay here until you suck, then you go home,” Musgrove said. “We all understand this game’s hard.”
\n\n \n\nFor instance: If not for that rally, the Pirates would have been stewing over another frustrating loss. Musgrove, feeling as good as he has all season, cruised through seven brilliant innings on 87 pitches before giving up two hits in the seventh. He utilized his entire six-pitch arsenal, pairing and tunneling pitches after a recent dive into his own numbers.\n\n“Some nights, the stars align and you’re able to execute every pitch,” Musgrove said. “That’s kind of how I felt tonight.”\n\nWith runners on the corners and one out in the eighth, Hurdle called on his best pitcher, closer
Then Vazquez, practically untouchable all season, gave up a go-ahead triple to left-handed-hitting