The Pirates got a cheap run in the 8th when Akinori Iwamura hit a routine fly ball that was lost in the lights (?) by centerfielder Drew Stubbs allowing Aki to coast into third for a "triple". I guess Aki will takes hits any way he can get them. After that Neil Walker made his 2010 debut memorable by driving Aki in on a double that he scorched down the right field line. The Pirates couldn't bring him around however and the game was tied at 1 after a Brandon Phillips blast in the bottom of the 8th.
The real story of this game came in the top of the 9th, when Ryan Doumit hit his 5th home run of the season to put the Pirates up for good.
Doumit's 5 home runs are tied for first on the team, which is kind of disappointing. However, those 4 of those 5 home runs could not have been timed much better. Let's take a look at them.
Home Run #1: April 5th vs. Dodgers, 8th Inning off George Sherrill
This one was the least important of his 5 home runs, but it was probably the longest one. It was also a good way to start off the season, by adding some insurance to guarantee a Pirate opening day victory. The Pirates were already up 8-5 and it was a 3-run shot that capped off one of the more impressive Pirates opening day performances in recent memory.
Home Run #2: April 27th vs. Brewers, 9th Inning off Trevor Hoffman
This home run got the Pirates a much needed win and gave Trevor Hoffman one his 5 blown saves this season. Ronny Cedeno had homered earlier in the inning to tie it up, and Doumit put the game away with a grand slam.
Home Run #3: April 28th vs. Brewers, 9th Inning off Trevor Hoffman
Doumit's 2nd 9th inning home run in a row gave Hoffman his second blown save in a row. Doumit didn't even play in this game, but came up as a pinch hitter and ended up saving the game for the Bucs with this lead off blast. It wasn't a tape-measure shot by any stretch of the imagination, just a low line drive that squeaked inside the foul pole. The Pirates would end up winning the game in 14 innings.
Home Run #4: May 23rd vs. Braves, 10th Inning off Takashi Saito
You all should remember this one. It happened just 2 days ago and was actually Doumit's first walk off dinger in any level of his career. The Pirates played a great game that day behind a strong start from Zach Duke but they're offense wasn't doing much. However, Doumit stepped up in the 10th with 2 outs and electrified the semi-large crowd at PNC Park.
Home Run #5: May 25th vs. Reds, 9th Inning off Nick Masset
Tonight's home run was the difference in the Pirates notching their 20th win of the year. It was a pretty impressive shot; one of those no-doubters off the bat.
The bottom line is that Doumit has been hitting home runs at the right times this year. He has 4 home runs in the 9th inning or later, and each one of those has turned out to win the game for the Pirates. Doumit's team is undefeated when he hits a home run and he is hitting .400 in "late and close games" and .484 in tie games. Doumit is really coming through when the Pirates need him most, and he has helped us win some ball games this year.