Watson rebounds with perfect ninth vs. Cards

PITTSBURGH — On Wednesday, a night after an outing that made some people question his position as Pirates closer, left-hander Tony Watson wanted the ball back. And manager Clint Hurdle wanted him to have the ball back in the ninth inning with the game at stake.

Hurdle talked to Watson earlier in the day, when they visited a school as part of a Clemente Day community event, and he got the sense that Watson was mentally ready to get back on the mound. So he didn’t hesitate to call on Watson with a one-run lead in the ninth inning, and Watson rewarded his faith with a perfect ninth to secure a 4-3 win over the Cardinals at PNC Park.

The win ended the Pirates’ eight-game losing streak, a skid Watson almost personally extended by allowing four runs on three homers in a nine-pitch sequence on Tuesday. And it renewed some confidence in Watson as the closer after a shaky introduction to his new role.

“It’s good to get back out there. It’s good to get the win, most important, and end this losing streak,” Watson said. “It’s good to hear music in here after the game. Everybody’s having a good …

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