PITTSBURGH, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- A solo home run by Aramis Ramirez in the sixth inning snapped a tie Wednesday night as the Pittsburgh Pirates edged the New York Mets, 4-3.
Ramirez entered the at bat in a three-for-45 slump, but led off the sixth by belting a 2-1 offering from Grant Roberts (3-1) into the right-center field seats for his 16th homer.
Ramirez had a breakout season in 2001, collecting 34 homers and 112 RBI. This season, injuries have kept his average down to .232. His homer was just his fourth hit in September.
Ramirez's blast made a winner out of Ron Villone (4-6), who relieved starter Brian Meadows with none out in the sixth and tossed a scoreless inning.
Joe Beimel and Mike Lincoln got through the seventh, with Lincoln retiring Mike Piazza on an inning-ending double play. Scott Sauerbeck made his 77th appearance, breaking Rod Scurry's team record for appearances by a lefthander, and got one out in the eighth before Brian Boehringer finished the frame.
Closer Mike Williams pitched a 1-2-3 ninth, needing just nine pitches to pick up his 46th save in 50 chances.
