PITTSBURGH–After Giants left fielder Gregor Blanco flew out to lead off Friday’s contest, the game took a dramatic, emotional and positively perfect pause.
The man who put baseball back on the map in Pittsburgh stepped to the plate wearing a gray road uniform, but received an ovation only a hometown hero could possibly receive.
Andrew McCutchen waved his helmet to the crowd, soaked in the cheers and basked in the glory of a moment he rightfully earned with nine memorable seasons of contributions in a Pirate uniform.
Pirates fans started the game on the their feet, and ended it there too as the club spoiled McCutchen’s return to PNC Park by downing the Giants 11-2.