MIAMI — Corey Dickerson didn't ask for permission with the game on the line. He didn't say a word to his coaches or teammates in the dugout, nor when leaving the on-deck circle. The Pirates' left fielder, carrying an eight-game hitting streak and runners on the corners with one out in the ninth inning, stepped to the plate with the scoreboard still showing all blanks.
And he laid down a bunt on the first pitch.
The ball sailed into the air, past the outstretched glove hand of the Marlins' reliever, Brad Ziegler, and dropped into the infield. Dickerson reached first safely and Starling Marte, standing on third while waiting to see if the ball dropped, sprinted home to score what proved to be the winning run in the 1-0 victory Saturday night at Marlins Park.
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TAP ABOVE FOR BOXSCORE, STANDINGS[/caption]
The bunt didn't go exactly the way Dickerson planned, but it lifted the Pirates on a night when their offense mustered five hits, and the play embodied the type of selfless identity the club has tried to establish during its 10-4 start.
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