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 The victory was Pittsburgh's 82nd of the year, ensuring they would
have their third successive winning season after having none for the
previous 20.
"It is tangible evidence of us being in a better place," Pirates
manager Clint Hurdle said.
"We had 20 consecutive losing seasons as an organization. I was here
for two of them. I felt the angst of the city and the fan base.
"We talked about creating a new sense of direction and history."
Liriano (10-7) issued one walk, struck out 10 and also went 2-for-3
with a double and run scored.
"I was able to locate my fastball better and throwing my breaking
ball for strike two helped," Liriano said.
"They have a pretty good lineup. Just went out and tried to execute
pitches. Changeup was working pretty good."
Third baseman Kang Jung Ho hit a solo homer and Starling Marte went
3-for-5 with a double and run scored for the National League
wild-card leading Pirates (82-55), who are 4-1/2 games behind the
St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central.
Kang's monster shot in the eighth off right-hander Collin Balester
traveled an estimated 447 feet into the left-center field bleachers,
putting the Pirates ahead 6-0.
Shortstop Eugenio Suarez tripled home two runs during a three-run
ninth for Cincinnati.
Raisel Iglesias (3-7), who had a nightmare third inning, took the
loss for Cincinnati (57-80).
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The Pirates went ahead 1-0 in the third when Liriano doubled and
scored on right fielder Gregory Polanco's single to right.
McCutchen then smacked a three-run homer an estimated 404 feet to
right field. It was McCutchen's 21st homer this season.
Iglesias later committed a run-scoring balk, making it 5-0. He left
after three innings, having allowed five runs on six hits with a
walk and four strikeouts.
"I felt like it was just a bad inning, like any other pitcher can
have," said Iglesias of the third.
"I felt like I was missing my spots. I wanted to keep it down and
make them miss, and they had some good swings."
(Compiled by Greg Stutchbury)
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