rt Adelaide are yet to prove they can do that on a week-to-

PITTSBURGH -- Sean Rodriguez stepped to the plate looking to be aggressive.That approach paid off as he homered to open the bottom of the ninth inning, giving the Pittsburgh Pirates a 3-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night.When I try to be too passive, thats when I swing and miss a lot, Rodriguez said. When I take my swing, its because Im getting in my ready position and able to get my swing off. I was able to get a pitch I was able to get my swing off and hit it as good as I needed to.Rodriguez connected off Ross Ohlendorf (5-7), a 413-foot drive to the left-field bleachers that gave the Pirates just their second win in seven games in the midst of 12 straight games against teams who are at least 10 games under .500.It was Rodriguezs second career game-ending homer and his 11th home run of the season.Its another cool thing for him this year, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said of the utility player. Hes done a lot of good things for us. Hes tough on himself. He expects a lot of good things to happen.The Reds tied the score 2-2 in the top of the ninth on pinch-hitter Ramon Cabreras sacrifice fly off Tony Watson (2-3), who blew his first save in two opportunities since All-Star closer Mark Melancon was traded to Washington last Saturday.Rodriguezs home run was the 23rd given up this season to the first batter a Reds reliever has faced.You can imagine how I feel about that at this point and Im going to walk away from it, Cincinnati manager Bryan Price. Im obviously very frustrated by it.Pirates rookie Jameson Taillon gave up only one run in six innings with six strikeouts and one walk in his fifth consecutive quality start. He has not factored in the decision in any of his five career home starts.Reds starter Anthony DeSclafani allowed two runs and two hits in six innings with six strikeouts and three walks, and has yet to lose in 11 starts this season. He began the season on the disabled list with a strained oblique before being activated June 10.The Pirates scored twice in the fifth inning to take a 2-1 lead as David Freese walked and John Jaso doubled before Francisco Cervelli hit a tying sacrifice fly. Jordy Mercer followed with a squeeze bunt to bring in the go-ahead run.DeSclafani allowed fewer than three runs for the eighth time in nine starts as the Reds, last in the NL Central, began a nine-game road trip.The Reds took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on Brandon Phillips RBI single. He had two of Cincinnatis six hits and is 7 for 11 in his last three games.Slumping Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen returned to the lineup after being given a three-day mental break and went 0 for 2 with two strikeouts. The 2013 NL MVP is 1 for 14 in his last four games, dropping his batting average to .240.TRAINERS ROOMReds: RHP Alfredo Simon (strained right trapezius) and RHP A.J. Morris (strained right shoulder) are scheduled to begin rehabilitation assignments Sunday with Triple-A Louisville. ... SS Zack Cozart returned after missing the previous three games with a bruised right ring finger.Pirates: RF Gregory Polanco (left shoulder discomfort) was not in the lineup for a second straight game. ... C Cervelli returned after being hit the head Tuesday by a pitch and sitting out two games.UP NEXTReds: RHP Homer Bailey (1-0, 3.18 ERA), who underwent Tommy John elbow ligament reconstruction surgery last year, will make his second start of the season. He won at San Diego on Sunday, allowing two runs and 5 2/3 innings.Pirates: RHP Ivan Nova (7-6, 4.90) will debut for his new team after being acquired Monday from the New York Yankees in a trade. He had spent his entire seven-year career with the Yankees. John Riggins Redskins Jersey . 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Alastair Clarkson has lit the fuse for Hawthorns match with Port Adelaide, declaring their AFL rivals unable to turn their physical style into a winning one.In incendiary comments likely to ensure a full-blooded Adelaide Oval clash on Thursday night, Clarkson said he embraced the challenge of a fired-up Port Adelaide, daring the Power to bring a physical approach to the game.Port has beaten Hawthorn in their past three regular season meetings, with the 2014 preliminary final cliffhanger going the Hawks way - a match Clarkson suggested was still living in the Powers memory.Theyre probably smarting a little bit from the preliminary final loss two years ago, Clarkson told reporters on Wednesday.Thats probably fuelled a lot of motivation ... the last couple of times we have played them.Theyve ambushed us a little bit with their physicality and their starts to games. But its very, very hard to do that on a sustainable basis.We like to think weve proved ourselves over a long period of time playing tough hard footy (and) Port Adelaide are yet to prove they can do that on a week-to-week basis.Those comments will fuel a liittle bit of spite but you say righto, its game on and it is game on.dddddddddddd Were ready to come and play.Asked about Clarksons comments, Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley was typically blunt.Hes right, Hinkley told reporters in Adelaide.Theres some evidence to support that we are what we are a little bit, and thats just a little bit up and down.To get credibility you have to do it consistently and at the moment were not being able to do that.Clarkson said he expected a fierce challenge from Hinkleys side - but it wouldnt surprise or rattle him.This has been coming at us for three or four years, he said.Weve been able to cope really well with it ... it has held us in great stead when it comes finals time.We can endure and we can withstand whatever is thrown at us.Theres no greater environment, hostile environment than Adelaide Oval tomorrow night. Well embrace it.Hawthorn will return Cyril Rioli to their lineup after a family bereavement kept the star forward out of their last match. ' ' '