Kendall caps six-run rally to give Bucs 12-11 victory

Pittsburgh overcame Colorado on Jason Kendall's single in the ninth inning.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- As comebacks go, this was one to remember.
Jason Kendall's RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning capped a six-run rally and gave the Pittsburgh Pirates a 12-11 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Friday night.
Tike Redman hit a two-out, two-run triple off Adam Bernero (0-1) to tie it. Redman, called up earlier in the day from Triple-A Nashville to be Pittsburgh's new everyday center fielder, fouled off four two-strike pitches before lining a shot into the right-center gap.
"Basically, I'm just up there battling and trying to keep the game going at that point," Redman said. "I was determined to keep fouling pitches off until I got something I could handle. I was looking for a fastball, and he finally threw one to me on the inside half of the plate that I could drive."
Great comeback
It was the Pirates' biggest ninth-inning comeback since July 28, 2001, at PNC Park, when they rallied for seven runs with two outs to beat Houston 9-8. Redman also played a role in that comeback, drawing a walk in the ninth inning.
Rockies reliever Justin Speier entered Friday with a five-run lead to start the ninth and was charged with five runs. Craig Wilson singled with one out, Reggie Sanders doubled and Jose Hernandez walked to load the bases.
Jack Wilson hit a run-scoring single, Abraham Nunez had an RBI groundout and a passed ball by Charles Johnson made it 11-9.
Pinch-hitter Jeff Reboulet walked, and Bernero came in to face Redman. After his two-run triple, Kendall lined an 0-1 pitch to left to win it, sending what was left of the crowd of 22,413 into a frenzy.
Mobbed by teammates
Kendall was mobbed by his teammates near first base.
"We just kept battling and battling and battling until we got it done," Kendall said. "There were a lot of good at-bats from top to bottom in that inning. Tike's at-bat was unbelievable. He refused to give in. We've been on the wrong side of a lot of these types of games this year. It sure feels good to win one at the end. It's a heck of a lot of better feeling than to be on that other side."
It was a terrible week for Speier, who has held the closing job for about a month. He allowed a game-tying solo homer to Cincinnati's Jason LaRue in the ninth inning Wednesday for his first blown save and couldn't control his pitches Friday.
Speier had walked only 15 batters in 52 innings coming in.
"I was all over the place," Speier said. "I lost the game for us."
Giles raps 13th
Brian Giles hit his 13th homer for the Pirates. Todd Helton and Charles Johnson each hit a two-run shot for Colorado, which blew leads of 7-2 and 11-6 in dropping its third straight.
"These are games you cannot lose at this level and expect to go anywhere," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said.
Duaner Sanchez (1-0) gave up a run in the ninth but earned his first major league victory.
Redman had two triples, two RBIs, two runs scored and two walks in his first big league game this season. He was up with the Pirates in 2001, and after last season was removed from the team's 40-man roster. He was invited to spring training and improved at Nashville.
"He deserved another chance," Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon said. "I'm happy for him."