Presley wins it for Pirates in the 10th

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

Alex Presley singled with two outs in the bottom of the 10th to lift the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday night.

Rod Barajas, brought in by the Pirates to provide some power, doubled off Philadelphia reliever Joe Blanton (0-1) leading off the inning and pinch-runner Mike McKenry came home three batters later when Presley beat out an infield single.

Juan Cruz (1-0), a non-roster invitee to spring training, won in relief. Presley had two of Pittsburgh’s six hits.

Shane Victorino and Placido Polanco had two hits apiece for Philadelphia. The Phillies got two baserunners in both the ninth and 10th innings but couldn’t break through.

Cliff Lee gave up one run in six innings for Philadelphia.

The Phillies, playing without injured stars Ryan Howard and Chase Utley, have managed just two runs through the season’s first 19 innings. Still, it was almost enough for the five-time defending NL East champions to improve to stay perfect.

Philadelphia made Pittsburgh closer Joel Hanrahan labor through the ninth. Hanrahan walked Hunter Pence and Carlos Ruiz but struck out pinch-hitter Jim Thome and Freddy Galvis. The Phillies threatened again in the 10th off Cruz on back-to-back two-out singles by Polanco and Jimmy Rollins.

Pence struck out, however, and Pittsburgh’s anemic offense finally showed some life.

Barajas produced Pittsburgh’s second extra base hit of the young season — and nearly its first homer — when he took an offering from Blanton and drilled it to center. McKenry moved to third on a bunt then scored when Presley hit a chopper to short and beat Jimmy Rollins’ throw by half a step.

It was an unlikely finish after Pittsburgh spent the first six innings floundering against Lee.

Lee nearly matched Philadelphia ace Roy Halladay’s dominance in the opener.