"Real big," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "He got some good looks, got his swing off twice as well. He's got some experience doing that. That got us in motion."
Ishikawa, a veteran left-handed hitter claimed on waivers from the Giants this weekend, entered as a pinch-hitter after Cashner retired the inning's first two batters on just five pitches. Ishikawa saw six straight fastballs, fouling one off and missing another before taking ball four from Casher.
With that, the rally was on, and the Pirates cruised to their fifth straight win.
"I was able to look for my pitch.