Top of the lineup fuels win
Aggressiveness on the base pads at the top of the Pittsburgh Pirates (4-4) lineup has been talked extensively throughout the organization since the off-season. It's the type of small ball they want to play in 2010.
Through 8 games, the Pirates lead the National League with 10 stolen bases and the catalyst has been center fielder Andrew McCutchen.
Tuesday night, McCutchen set the tone early with his aggressiveness. Anytime on 1st, McCutchen is proving to be a threat to get into scoring position and manager John Russell is giving McCutchen free reigns.
In the bottom of the 1st, McCutchen stole second, setting up a Garret Jones double to right that scored McCutchen to give Pittsburgh a 1-0.
In the third inning, McCutchen stole second for his 5th stolen base of the season. A Garrett Jones single moved McCutchen to third with runners at first and third.
Ryan Doumit then singled to deep right center, scoring McCutchen and the Pirates jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the top of the third.
The aggressive game plan helped the Pirates earn their first win in San Francisco since September 2008.
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