In dramatic fashion, the Pirates won 8-7 tonight on a three-run, 10th inning homer by Pedro Alvarez. It was his tenth home run of the year and could be the highlight of the 2010 season.
The video is available here. Check the players' reaction if you still think professional athletes only care about collecting a paycheck.
From the ovation he received before his first at bat as a Pirate, it was clear that this fan base yearned for a power hitting star. But through his first 16 games Alvarez looked like he wasn't ready for prime time as he was hitting just .167/.220/.222 with no home runs and 25 strikeouts in 54 at bats.
Now only a month later, Alvarez has established himself as a legitimate power threat in the middle of the order. The walk-off homer is the culmination of a 29 game stretch in which Pedro has 10 home runs and 23 RBI along with a .275/.358/.578 batting line.
This walk off home run was Pedro's most satisfying shot since this one for Vanderbilt against archrival Memphis - and in the face of an 'Overrated' chant.
Pedro's next milestone cannot be far off: His first major league intentional walk.
What a game! It was well worth the hour drive south.
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