McCutchen's mom sings national anthem
Bucs won first three times Petrina delivered 'Star-Spangled Banner'
PITTSBURGH -- Petrina McCutchen belted out the national anthem prior to Wednesday night's game at PNC Park, not at all concerned about ruining her perfect record -- Jake Arrieta or not. "Not at all," McCutchen said, minutes after coming off the field after her show-starting delivery of the anthem to get the National League Wild Card Game presented by Budweiser under way.
This was the fourth time the mom of All-Star center fielder Andrew McCutchen sang the anthem prior to a Buccos game. They won the first three times, and Petrina McCutchen had no doubts they were about to make it four straight, with her son's help, against the imposing pitching of the Cubs' Arrieta. It didn't work out, however, as the Pirates fell to the Cubs, 4-0.
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"I do what I do, and Andrew does what he does," she said. "It's just an honor to get to do this. I guess it's good to know someone."
Petrina McCutchen's rendering of the anthem preceded the Bucs' 6-2 victory over the Reds in the 2013 Wild Card Game, and she also sang prior to two regular-season victories. Local musician Maddie Georgi did the honors prior to the 2014 Wild Card Game, an 8-0 loss to the eventual World Series champion Giants.