Benson getting back to form
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Overlooked amid the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 10th consecutive losing season is a positive sign they have long awaited: Kris Benson again looks like a No. 1 starter.
Rob Mackowiak’s tiebreaking single capped Pittsburgh’s three-run rally in the fifth inning, helping Benson win his fifth straight decision as the Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs 5-4 Sunday. Sammy Sosa went 1-for-3 with a single and needs two homers in the Cubs’ final six games for 500 in his career and 50 for a record-setting fifth straight season.
Fred McGriff did set a home run record, hitting a two-run drive in the first that made him the first player with a 30-homer season for five teams. He also homered in a record 42nd major league park, one more than Cleveland’s Ellis Burks.
McGriff’s homer into PNC Park’s right-field seats followed Chad Hermansen’s single and was one of two homers allowed by Benson (9-6), who was lifted in the fifth trailing 4-1. He gave up three runs and five hits in one of the few below-average starts he’s made since the All-Star break.
The Pirates’ comeback assured Benson of a winning record in a season he started 0-4. He returned in mid-May after missing 18 months following reconstructive elbow surgery and didn’t win until his ninth start, on June 25.
“I don’t like going five innings, but I guess that’s the way it’s got to be so my arm can come back strong next year,” said Benson, who is on a 90-pitch limit. “It definitely helps your confidence when you have some games you don’t perform well and still come out with a win.”
Since the right-hander was 0-4 with a 7.79 ERA in eight starts, he is 9-2 with a 3.57 ERA in his last 17 starts, with one more to go next weekend in Chicago.
The Pirates’ fifth started with pinch-hitter Adrian Brown’s single off Alan Benes (2-2), who made his first start against Pittsburgh since May 21, 1997.
Pokey Reese doubled and Jack Wilson’s single scored Brown. After Brian Giles’ sacrifice fly, Joe Borowski replaced Benes and got Aramis Ramirez to pop up, then appeared to pick Wilson off first base.
But Wilson slid in under the tag as first baseman McGriff’s throw to second was slightly high and wide. Wilson scored on Mackowiak’s single.
Mike Williams got three outs for his 44th save in 48 opportunities, despite allowing an RBI single to Mark Bellhorn. Hermansen grounded out with runners at the corners to end it, with Sosa on deck.