Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - Daniel McCutchen got his first win of the season and Jose Tabata chased home the eventual go-ahead run in the fourth, as Pittsburgh captured a 3-2 win against the Phillies to open a four-game series at PNC Park.
McCutchen Earns First Win Of Year, Pirates Beats Phils 3-2
Pedro Alvarez and Bobby Crosby also drove in runs for the Pirates, who just took two of three from the Cubs on the heels of a six-game slide.
McCutchen (1-3) lasted 5 1/3 innings and gave up two runs -- one earned -- on six hits with four strikeouts against zero walks. Octavio Dotel stranded the tying run at third in the ninth to pick up his 17th save.
Cole Hamels (6-7) suffered his fifth loss in the last six decisions despite going seven innings and holding the opposition to three runs on five hits with eight strikeouts.
Wilson Valdez lifted his fourth homer of the year for Philadelphia, which most recently dropped two of three in Cincinnati.
The loss wasn't the only blow to the team, as it learned earlier in the day second baseman Chase Utley will miss the next eight weeks after having surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb.
Crosby got things started with an RBI base hit to plate Lastings Milledge in the second inning, while Valdez tied it leading off the third with a home run to left.
Pittsburgh came right back in its next at-bat, as Tabata walked leading off and scored on a double by Alvarez. An error put two in scoring position with one out, but Hamels managed to get out of the jam trailing only 2-1.
It was 3-1 after four innings with Tabata's run-scoring two-out single, bringing in Andy LaRoche from second.
The Phils responded and made it a one-run game in the fifth. Shane Victorino started a two-out rally with an infield hit, then stole second and came home on a Greg Dobbs' dribbler to second when LaRoche's throw went awry.
The visitors went on to strand runners in scoring position in the sixth and eighth innings. Victorino was caught looking at strike three to end the game with Dane Sardinha at third. Sardinha led off with a single, then advanced on a sacrifice and groundout.
Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel served a one-game suspension Thursday as a result of his aggressive behavior while arguing balls and strikes Tuesday versus the Reds. Bench coach Pete Mackanin served in his stead...Phillies catcher Brian Schneider left the game in the fourth inning with a hyperextended left thumb...Hamels walked two...The Phillies outhit the Buccos 8-5...It was just McCutchen's second win in the big leagues...Philadelphia and Pittsburgh split a two-game series back in May.
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