Felipe Rivero is mortal, and Sean Rodriguez can hit the fastball.
Those were two lessons drawn from the Pirates’ 5-4 win in 12 innings Sunday at PNC Park as they took their series against the San Diego Padres. After Rivero fell one out short of a four-out save, allowing two runs in the ninth to blow his first save as Pirates closer, Rodriguez, acquired Saturday from the Atlanta Braves, socked a leadoff, walk-off home run to left field.
Rodriguez, who missed half the season because of a shoulder injury suffered in an offseason car crash, entered in the eighth inning as a defensive replacement.