Pirates Road Success Continues With 4-2 Victory Over Cubs

by Zane Heiple

Photo by AP

The Pittsburgh Pirates headed back to the city where the season began, to face their divisional foe the Chicago Cubs in a three game series.  As was in April, Kevin Correia took the ball to begin today’s game.  Pittsburgh’s offense was hoping some travel would help jumpstart their bats after scoring only two runs in their previous three games.  Cubs’ starter Doug Davis was looking to keep them in check and deliver his first win of the year. 

The Buccos scored in the second inning.  Ronny Cedeno reached to load the bases on a fielding error by Davis.  Correia then would hit what should have been a double play to Aramis Ramirez, but the third baseman bobbled it allowing Chris Snyder to score from third.  With one out Steve Pearce would hit a sacrifice fly to left field to give the Pirates a 2-0 lead.

Pittsburgh was able to add two more runs in the fourth inning.  The Pirates had the bases loaded when Andrew McCutchen was able to draw a walk and give the Buccos a three run lead.  4-0 would be the score after Neil Walker hit a grounder to Ramirez.  He tried to tag the base for the final out but Pearce beat him to it to avoid the final out.

Correia continued high level of pitching on the road this year.  He would leave the game after 7.1 innings pitched and runners on 1^st and 2^nd.  Kevin gave up zero runs on four hits with two walks and two strikeouts.  Jose Veras came out of the bullpen and was able to end the inning but not without some drama.  He would get the first batter he faced to fly out, but then walked the next batter to load the bases.  Fortunately, he was once again able to induce a fly out to get out of the jam and end the inning.

The ninth inning was not as kind to Joe Beimel.  Beimel would only face two batters and the first one he walked, the second was Alfonso Soriano.  Soriano hammered a pitch to left field for his 12^th home run on the year to inch the Cubbies closer.  This turn of events brought Joel Hanrahan out of the pen and he did not disappoint.  Joel would earn his 14^th save of the year, by striking out the side to put the cap on a 4-2 Pirates victory.

Once again the Pirates played well on the road.  Correia gave them another well pitched outing by a starter and this time the offense gave enough run support for the W to be earned.  Beimel was the only one to disappoint, but Hanrahan stepped up like he has all year.  These two teams will square off again tomorrow afternoon at 1:05pm.  Paul Maholm will look to continue his run of effective pitching, while the offense will look to give him the proper support that he deserves.

Record vs. Cubs:  3-1
Record vs. N.L. Central:  12-9
Record on the Road:  14-12
Overall Record:  23-26

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!!!