PITTSBURGH — Not a drop of rain fell on the PNC Park grass, but much of what transpired Monday on the North Shore could’ve been described by a series of short bursts, exciting bits of action that ultimately defined the Pirates’ 6-4 series-opening victory against the red-hot Texas Rangers.
There was the bang-bang slide by Bryan Reynolds in the seventh inning, the Pirates outfielder nudging the edge of his cleat forward to touch home plate on a throw home from Texas right fielder Adolis Garcia to push his team in front by a run.
Two batters later, Tucupita Marcano took his turn by walloping a 2-2 slider to center field, a 419-foot blast that belied Marcano’s slight frame. With one swing, Marcano sent a ball screaming toward the stands for the Pirates’ second grand slam of the season, allowing everyone here to breathe a little easier.
