PITTSBURGH — In an era of constantly shifting defenses, pinch-hitter Pedro Alvarez was not fazed when the Los Angeles Dodgers played a five-man infield against him with the game on the line.
Alvarez lined a bases-loaded single in the bottom of the 10th inning to give the Pittsburgh Pirates a 5-4 victory Friday night.
The Pirates loaded the bases with no outs and the score tied 4-4 against Jim Johnson (2-4) as Jung Ho Kang walked, Francisco Cervelli singled and Sean Rodriguez had a bunt single.
Left-hander J.P. Howell relieved and manager Don Mattingly moved an outfielder into the infield but the left-handed hitting Alvarez singled into right field for the game-winning hit.