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PITTSBURGH (AP) – How's this for a script for the Pirates' first game in PNC Park: A former Pittsburgh high school star hits the first homer and drives in all the big runs. The only problem for the Pirates: He played for the other team. The Reds ruined the Pirates' first game in PNC Park on Monday just as they did the inaugural game in Three Rivers Stadium 31 years before, winning 8-2 behind Sean Casey's two-run homer and five RBI. Just as in their 3-2 victory on July 16, 1970, at Three Rivers, Cincinnati's first baseman hit the first homer – then it was Tony Perez, this time it was Casey, a native Pittsburgher. Casey didn't take long to make himself at home in the NL's smallest ballpark by hitting a two-run homer in the first off Todd Ritchie (0-2). "I was thinking about getting the first hit and I never thought about the first home run," said Casey, who also got the first hit Friday in Milwaukee's new Miller Park. "It's nice for that to happen, I watched so many games at Three Rivers." The homer came minutes after an emotional pregame salute to Hall of Famer Willie Stargell, who died earlier in the day at age 61 following a long illness. Casey, who went 4-for-4 and reached base five times, seemed especially moved by the Stargell tribute. "You can't be from Pittsburgh and not be a Pops fan," Casey said. "That tribute was awesome. When we were kids playing wiffle ball in the backyard, we would all windmill our bat the way he did." Pirates catcher Jason Kendall, who became friends with Stargell the last few years when Stargell worked under general manager Cam Bonifay, also was moved by the brief ceremony. "It was a roller coaster day emotionally," Kendall said. "It was very, very emotional and it left a big lump in your throat." Kendall caught Stargell's ceremonial first pitch before the final game in Three Rivers on Oct. 1, a stirring moment that will live with Pirates fans for decades. "He taught me a lot about the game. I remember my dad (former major league catcher Fred Kendall) told me he was one of the best guys in the game, and my dad didn't lie to me," Kendall said. It was the Reds' second game in four days in a new ballpark – they also played the debut game in Miller Park, losing 5-4 – and their first road victory following an 0-3 start. Still, the Reds aren't the most accommodating visitors when it comes to opening new ballparks, also winning the first game in Dodger Stadium in 1962. The Pirates lost their eighth consecutive home opener no matter the venue – they haven't won since 1993 – by falling behind 3-0 to Reds rookie Chris Reitsma (1-0), who shut them out on three hits until the seventh. By then, Casey had added an RBI single following Michael Tucker's double in the sixth. Casey also had a two-run double in a four-run ninth against reliever Marc Wilkins, who also threw a run-scoring wild pitch. The Pirates had made it 3-2 in the seventh on third baseman Aaron Boone's error and a double-play grounder after loading the bases with no outs. Center fielder Michael Tucker preserved the lead with a sliding catch of Adrian Brown's liner with two outs. The Reds added a run in the eighth on Boone's run-scoring single off the glove of third baseman Aramis Ramirez before scoring four more in the ninth. Ken Griffey Jr., still out of the lineup because of a sore hamstring, missed a chance to increase the lead by flying out to center as a pinch-hitter with the bases loaded in the eighth. The crowd of 36,954, though short of the listed capacity of 38,365, was a standing room-sellout because the Pirates distributed several thousand complimentary tickets. Game notesJust as Friday in Milwaukee, a president threw out the first pitch. It wasn't President Bush, who did the honors in Miller Park, but Pirates president Kevin McClatchy. ... Baseball commissioner Bud Selig attended. ... Fans stood for several minutes, applauding, following the video tribute to Stargell. ... Stargell hit the Pirates' first homer in Three Rivers, also on July 16, 1970. ... Reitsma was the starter but didn't get the decision in his major league debut as the Pirates rallied to beat the Reds 6-5 Wednesday. ... The Pirates also lost the first game in Forbes Field in 1909, 3-2 to the Cubs. ... Pittsburgh turned three double plays and now has 11 in six games.  Send this story to a friend
| Hall of Famer Willie Stargell dead at 61 after stroke
RECAPS Toronto 8 Tampa Bay 1
Cincinnati 8 AUDIO/VIDEO   Pittsburgh native Sean Casey was excited to get the first home run at PNC Park.wav: 129 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 It was an extremely tough day for manager Lloyd McClendon and the Pirates.wav: 129 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 | ||||||||||||
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