PITTSBURGH, May 28 (UPI) -- James McDonald fired eight shutout innings Monday and the Pittsburgh Pirates rode his performance to a 4-1 victory over Cincinnati.
McDonald (4-2) didn't allow a runner to reach third base in the effort, yielding just one walk while striking out five.
The Pirates right-hander tossed 65 of his 103 pitches for strikes and lowered his ERA to 2.20 as the Bucs took the opener of a three-game series at PNC Park.
Joel Hanrahan bailed out Tony Watson in the ninth inning with his 12th save, retiring Miguel Castro to end the game after Chris Heisey had driven in a run with a single.
Neil Walker, Pedro Alvarez and Rod Barajas each contributed two hits and an RBI for the victors.
Bronson Arroyo (2-3) lasted only four innings for National League Central-leading Cincinnati, surrendering four runs on eight hits.
