Gaby Sanchez singled in the 12th inning and scored the winning run when Russell Martin drew a two-out, bases-loaded walk, lifting Pittsburgh to a 4-3 win over Cincinnati on Thursday.
The Pirates avoided being swept in the three-game series, bouncing back to win after Devin Mesoraco tied the game for the Reds with a solo homer in the top of the ninth inning off Pittsburgh closer Jason Grilli.
Sanchez hit a one-out single in the 12th and would have been picked off by a mile at first base had a balk not been called on Tony Cingrani (2-8). Josh Harrison was then intentionally walked and Cingrani hit Clint Barmes with two outs to load the bases.
He nearly hit Martin, too, but the Pirates catcher threw his legs back in time. It didn't matter. Cingrani's 3-1 pitch was low, forcing in the winning run.
[SportsNetwork.com]
