Stat of the Day

Andrew McCutchen joined the company of Pirate greats like Willie Stargell, Roberto Clemente, Ralph Kiner, and Frank Thomas (ok, maybe this Frank Thomas wasn't that great) last night when he became the organization's first hitter to homer thrice in one game since Aramis Ramirez did it in 2001, the first whose name doesn't make Pirates fans cringe since Darnell Coles in 1987, and the first who hasn't been traded away entering his prime years (yet) since Bill Robinson in 1976. The real history McCutchen made last night, though, happened in the third inning when he reached on a bunt single. In Retrosheet's PBP files, which date back to 1954, only one other player has homered three times and bunted for a hit in the same game: Dan Ford on July 20, 1983 for Baltimore. Coincidentally, both Ford and McCutchen led off their half of the first with a home run.