Gregory Polanco breaks up no-hitter; Pirates go on to defeat first-place Brewers in 10 innings

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ 8-5 victory in 10 innings Tuesday night against a vastly superior Milwaukee Brewers’ team had so many tense, game-changing moments, perhaps you didn’t notice it took 4 hours, 6 minutes to complete.

But how could you miss the most obvious element? Whenever the game was on the line, up popped Gregory Polanco, the .211 hitter with a smile layered on his face that’s hard to erase. Even in the worst of times.

Say what want about the season Polanco is having while collecting an $11 million salary, he delivered Tuesday when his team needed him most.

After walking twice and stealing two bases — did you know he leads the Pirates with 13 thefts? — he broke up the Brewers’ no-hit bid with a single off reliever Daniel Norris after one was out in the seventh inning and the Brewers (64-44) ahead, 4-0. That triggered a five-run rally, punctuated by rookie Hoy Park’s bases-loaded double. Brewers manager Craig Counsell pulled starter Adrian Houser after he had walked five batters, thrown 104 pitches and allowed no hits through 6 1/3 innings.

Then, with two outs in the bottom of the ninth and the score tied, 5-5, Polanco made the best defensive play of his season, leaping and reaching over the right-field fence to rob Eduardo Escobar of a game-winning home run. He said he was expecting Escobar to hit to right field.

“I saw the wall and just kept running and, I guess, perfect timing, perfect jump,” he said.

“When he hit it, I thought it was out,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said.

Relief pitcher and eventual winning pitcher David Bednar, who threw the pitch, wasn’t sure what happened. All he saw was the passion on Polanco’s face.

“Off the bat it was like, ‘crap,’ and the next thing you know you see Polanco running for it and make a jump,” said Bednar (3-1). “It took me a minute to realize if he caught it or not, if he was pissed off that he just barely missed it or he was fired up that he caught it.”

It was the latter, and Polanco milked the moment for all it was worth. Through much of the game, the right-field portion of the crowd of 24,902 at American Family Field kept reminding Polanco that Houser was throwing a no-hitter.

“The fans were talking so much … the whole game. I was tired of it,” he said. “I looked back (after the catch) and said, ‘Yeah, let’s go. We got it now. We’re going to win this game.’

“I got my revenge right there.”

But he wasn’t done.

In the top of the 10th, with two outs and Ke’Bryan Hayes on third base, Polanco legged out an infield single — his second hit — to break the tie. Eventually, Bryan Reynolds, who didn’t start because Shelton wanted to see how Park handled center field, singled to drive in two more runs and put the game out of reach.

“I was so excited for me. One of my best games,” Polanco said. “I love this team because we push, we push. This game shows you how much we fight. They were throwing a no-hitter and we never gave up.”

Shelton can’t help but feel good for Polanco. “He has that infectious smile. He has not gotten down throughout any of his struggles, and that’s a credit to him.”

The game was another of those the Pirates (41-66) will play the rest of the season, with Shelton trying to find a leadoff hitter, a second baseman and a reliable starting rotation.

Park, who was acquired last week from the New York Yankees, played in only his third major-league game. He’s 2 for 7 as a Pirate, with two doubles. “I’m living the dream, still dreaming,” he said.

“He carries himself like a hitter,” Shelton said. “This kid has hit throughout his minor-league career. I think he walks to the plate with confidence and that’s a really cool thing to see with a guy that you just acquired.”

Shelton was proud of his team for scoring eight runs after being no-hit into the seventh inning. He called the game “a really good team win.”

Starter Max Kranick gave up three runs, but counted two scoreless among his four. Park and Reynolds shared a position, and stepped up when it mattered. Bednar pitched two innings for the first time since April 30. “That’s what the situation called for,” he said.

“Credit to our guys,” their manager said. “They continued to battle against one of, if not the, best team, in the National League.”