Presley hits first homer in Bucs’ win at Toronto

Associated Press

TORONTO

Alex Presley’s first career long ball is going to cost him long-distance charges.

Andrew McCutchen added a solo shot, and the Pittsburgh Pirates held on to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 7-6 on Tuesday night, earning their first interleague road win in more than two years.

Presley had no idea how many messages were waiting on his cell phone, because he turned it off after crossing the border into Canada.

“I’m trying not to use too many messages and minutes,” Presley said. “It’s kind of an odd situation. I might have to splurge on some calls.”

His parents, back home in Shreveport, La., were likely to be among the lucky few who received phone calls from Presley. The conversations probably won’t last too long.

“They like to talk a lot so I might have to cut them off short,” Presley joked.

Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle was so impressed by the rookie’s performance, he might help Presley pay his next phone bill.

“You can’t ask for much more out of a kid than to bring him up to the big leagues and [get] three RBIs in the leadoff spot in his first game back,” Hurdle said. “He made his presence felt.”

Kevin Correia (10-6) allowed four runs and five hits in six innings for the Pirates, who have won five of six. Correia is 8-2 with an 2.69 ERA in 10 road starts this season. He is the first Pittsburgh pitcher since Bob Walk in 1993 to win 10 games before the All-Star break.

“He’s been our lead guy from opening day until now,” Hurdle said.

Joel Hanrahan worked the ninth for his 23rd save in 23 opportunities as the Pirates, who came in having lost 13 straight interleague road games, beat an AL opponent away from home for the first time since June 17, 2009, at Minnesota.