‘Wanted to do it here in Pittsburgh’: McCutchen gets 2,000th hit
PITTSBURGH — Andrew McCutchen recorded his 2,000th hit, Jack Suwinski hit his 12th home run and the Pittsburgh Pirates edged the Mets 2-1 on Sunday, New York’s eighth loss in nine games.
McCutchen became the 291st player and fifth active player to reach 2,000 hits when he turned on a slider from Carlos Carrasco (2-3) leading off the first and laced it to left field.
The five-time All-Star, who signed a one-year deal in January to return to the team he starred for from 2009 to ’17, drew a loud ovation from his adopted hometown as he rounded first base. His wife, Maria, and their three children watched from a private box along the third-base line.
McCutchen became the fifth active player with 2,000 career hits, after Miguel Cabrera (3,110), Joey Votto (2,093), Nelson Cruz (2,043) and Elvis Andrus (2,027).
“To be able to do it on the last day … I wanted to do it here in Pittsburgh,” McCutchen said, referring to the last game of the Pirates’ homestand. “I was glad to be able to do it here. It was a special moment.”
McCutchen’s return to Pittsburgh has provided a spark to the surprising Pirates. And he is thriving in the role of elder statesman trying to help a young group learn how to win.