Pirates' Cole Tucker finally gets a real hit off Fernando Rodney | TribLIVE.com
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Pirates' Cole Tucker finally gets a real hit off Fernando Rodney

Jerry DiPaola
| Sunday, May 5, 2019 8:04 p.m.
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Pirates shortstop Cole Tucker bats against the A’s Sunday, May 5, 2019, at PNC Park.

Cole Tucker said his single that started the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 13th-inning rally Sunday wasn’t the first time he faced the Oakland A’s Fernando Rodney. Only the first time he’s hit against the 42-year-old relief pitcher in the flesh.

“I played against Fernando Rodney a ton, growing up, in video games,” said Tucker, 22. “It’s way easier in video games, I promise.”

The single sparked the Pirates’ 5-3 come-from-behind victory, but it only lifted the Pirates’ rookie shortstop’s batting average to .208 after he brought an 0-for-12 slump to the plate in the 13th.

Perhaps juiced by his seven assists and Starling Marte’s game-winning home run three at-bats after his single, Tucker was as pleased as any .400 hitter when he met reporters after the game.

“I needed that,” he said. “To go up there and put a good swing on the ball meant a lot.”


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