After what has been a long and difficult season, the Pirates entered the weekend hosting the Houston Astros for the last home series at PNC Park of the 2010 season. Astonishingly enough, despite their horrific overall record, the Buccos had the chance, with a sweep of Houston, to finish the 2010 campaign with a winning season at PNC Park.
Friday, September 24: In an overly high-scoring contest that featured a total of 17 runs and 24 hits, the Astros outlasted the Pirates to win the first game of their 3 game set, 10-7. This was the Pirates’ 100th loss of the season.
Hunter Pence was the hitting star of the day for the Astros, going 3-5 with 3 RBI. In a losing effort, Garrett Jones hit a pair of hits and 4 RBI. Pedro Alvarez also chipped in with two RBI of his own, while Andy LaRoche crushed a pinch hit solo homerun. Unfortunately, the pitching wasn’t up to par on this night, as they needed to empty the bullpen, using 6 pitchers, none of which were effective.
Saturday, September 25: Pedro Alvarez hit a knockout 3-run homerun in the 3rd inning, and the Pirates got a spectacular performance from Zach Duke, on their way to evening the series at a game a piece, setting up the rubber match on Sunday afternoon.
Duke pitched 6 innings, giving up 3 runs on 7 hits, but unlike his previous countless number of starts, gave his team a chance to win. In addition to Pedro’s round-tripper, Jose Tabata and Ryan Doumit also earned RBI singles for the Pirates, who defeated the Astros on Saturday night, 6-4.
Sunday, September 26: The Pirates’ hot-hitting continued on Sunday, as Pedro Alvarez went 3-5 with 2 RBI, leading the Buccos to a 9-3 win at PNC Park, closing out their final home stand of the season on a bright note.
Andrew McCutchen and Neil Walker slated 2 hits each, raising their season batting averages to .284 and .301 respectively. Starter Paul Maholm pitched a gem, giving up only 1 run on 6 hits through 7 innings. Everyone seemed to get in on the act for Pittsburgh, as seven different Buccos tallied a hit.
So the Pirates finished their final home stand of 2010 with a record of 7-2, concluding their season mark at 40-41. Despite losing their 100th game of the season, there is no better way to describe this home stand than as a success. They now turn their attention to their last 2 series of the season, a road trip which finds them at the St. Louis Cardinals and the Florida Marlins. Congratulations on a fantastic final home stand at PNC Park.
Current Record: 55-100
And…As Always…Let’s Go Bucs!
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