Harrison makes awesome debut for Pirates

Associated Press

NEW YORK

Josh Harrison’s first major league hit prompted hugs from his teammates. The second one helped them win a game.

Harrison hit a tying single with two outs in the eighth inning off starter R.A. Dickey, and Neil Walker put Pittsburgh ahead with a two-run single that sent the Pirates past the New York Mets 5-1 on Tuesday night.

Making his big league debut, Harrison also singled in the third inning for his first career hit, and the ball was tossed into the Pittsburgh dugout to be saved as a souvenir.

“I don’t think really any emotions came over me,” Harrison said. “My teammates were probably more excited for me. They were all giving me hugs and I was just giving them a hug back, but I was so caught up in the heat of the moment worried about running the bases that I didn’t really like, jump for joy.”

Generously listed at 5-foot-8, Harrison was called up from the minors Monday when the Pirates placed reserve infielder Steve Pearce on the disabled list.

“It just felt like I had been doing it my whole life. That’s how comfortable I felt, you know? Which allowed me to go out there and perform,” Harrison said. “It’s all I ever thought it would be. Just smiling from ear to ear, and we were able to get a win so it makes it that much better. I can enjoy it.”

Pittsburgh got another fine outing from a starting pitcher, too. This time it was James McDonald, who gave up his only run on an infield dribbler.

McDonald allowed five hits in six innings against New York’s depleted lineup before Evan Meek (1-1) worked a perfect seventh. Jose Veras did the same in the eighth and Joel Hanrahan got three quick outs to end it.

Pirates starters have gone 12 consecutive games without allowing more than two earned runs.

“Those guys have been setting the tone all year. If you would have said it was 35 games in a row I’d believe you,” Hanrahan said. “They’ve really stepped it up this year. All of ’em have been more aggressive throwing strikes and going deep into the game.”

The banged-up Mets, meanwhile, reverted to their punchless ways at the plate. After totaling 16 runs and 32 hits over the previous two days, the only time they scored was on Jason Bay’s scratch single in the first.

Missing injured sluggers David Wright and Ike Davis, New York has gone 10 games without a home run for the first time since 1979.