Pirates’ Benson gets first win of his ‘second’ career
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Kris Benson had a victory cigar stored in his locker to celebrate the first win of his “second” career. He finally got to break it out on Tuesday night. Benson earned his first major league victory since 2000, pitching five strong innings as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Montreal Expos 4-1 to end a six-game losing streak.
“I’m not even sure that cigar will light any more,” Benson said. “It’s been so long I think it’s all dried out.”
The Pirates backed Benson and the bullpen by turning five double plays, including one to end the game.
Benson (1-4) missed the entire 2001 season because of reconstructive elbow surgery. He had posted a 7.79 ERA in his previous eight starts this year.
“It had definitely been a monkey on my back,” Benson said. “Even at Nashville (on a minor league rehab assignment) I was 0-1 with a couple of no decisions.
“I finally got in the win category. It’s definitely a confidence builder for me. Now I can relax for these next four days until I make my next start.”
Benson hadn’t won in the majors since he beat Houston on Sept. 26, 2000, at Three Rivers Stadium.
“It’s good to see a smile on his face again,” Pirates Manager Lloyd McClendon said. “It’s been a rough road for him the last year and a half and it’s nice to see him get rewarded.”
The right-hander allowed six hits and a walk with five strikeouts as he worked into the sixth. He gave up a leadoff home run to pinch-hitter Lee Stevens and was relieved by Mike Lincoln after giving up a single and a walk.
Mike Williams pitched the ninth for his 20th save and first since June 9.
The Expos lost for just the second time in the last 11 games. Vladimir Guerrero singled in his first at-bat to extend his hitting streak to 18 games.
Kevin Young had four hits as the Pirates ended a four-game winning streak by Tomo Ohka (7-4).
Montreal manager Frank Robinson said Ohka never had much of a chance because of some leaky defense. The Expos were only charged with one error but Robinson thought the official scorer was charitable on some of Pittsburgh’s 10 hits.
“You look at it and they really only should have scored one run,” Robinson said. “The defense was shaky and the offense was missing. That’s almost always automatically going to add up to a loss.”
The Pirates were ahead 1-0 when Jason Kendall led off the fifth with a double. After Brian Giles was walked intentionally, Aramis Ramirez doubled in a run.
Kevin Young hit an RBI infield single and a second run scored on third baseman Fernando Tatis’ throwing error.
Craig Wilson drew a two-out walk in the fourth. He advanced on Young’s single and scored when Rob Mackowiak singled.
NOTES: Ohka hadn’t lost since the Dodgers beat him 4-3 in Los Angeles on May 16. He left this game for pinch-hitter Stevens in the sixth. Okha had worked at least seven innings in eight consecutive starts. … Before Tuesday, the Pirates had not held a lead after six innings during their current homestand. They were swept by Oakland and Texas before Montreal arrived.
… The Pirates beat Montreal for just the third time in 11 games. … Young has had six other four-hit games. The last was on Aug. 13, 2000, against Arizona.