Pirates Score Six Unanswered Runs, Defeat Tigers 6-2

by Zane Heiple

Photo by AP

The Pittsburgh Pirates were back in action tonight for game two of their interleague series with the Detroit Tigers.  Kevin Correia was looking to pick up another win tonight after coming off of two straight losses.  Max Scherzer, of the Tigers, came into tonight’s game without a blemish on his record.  The Pirates offense hoped to repeat their ten run performance of one night ago.

After three straight scoreless innings, the Tigers jumped on the scoreboard first with two runs in the fourth inning.  Miguel Cabrera doubled home Andy Dirks for the first run of the game.  The next batter, Brennan Boesch would then trade places with Cabrera to give Detroit a 2-0 lead to end the inning.

The Buccos offense came to work in the sixth.  After two straight singles by Andrew McCutchen and Jose Tabata, Garrett Jones would hit a ground rule double down the right field line, scoring Cutch from second.  The bobble head man himself, Neil Walker, would hit a sacrifice fly to center to tie the game at two.  This would be followed by a Lyle Overbay sac fly that brought home Jones to give the Pirates a 3-2 lead. 

Pittsburgh decided to add three more runs in the sixth, which led them to an eventual 6-2 victory tonight.  The inning started with a Jose Veras walk and that lead to a McCutchen single.  Tabata then loaded the bases with a single of his own.  Matt Diaz would bring around Veras and Cutch with a line drive single to center field.  The final run of the night came after an Overbay strikeout.  The strikeout led to Diaz being caught in a rundown between first and second, however, Diaz was able to stay in the rundown long enough for Tabata to score from third.

Correia bounced back great tonight going 6.2 innings, allowing two runs on six hits, with four strikeouts and zero walks.  The bullpen also stepped up for the second night in a row.  Veras, Joe Beimel, and Joel Hanrahan would go onto pitch 2.1 scoreless innings tonight.  Beimel did have some trouble tonight as he was unable to record an out, but Hanrahan did pick up save thirteen on the year.

These two teams will conclude this three game series with a 1:35 start on Sunday afternoon.  Paul Maholm will hope to receive some run support tomorrow, as he will be on the mound for the Pirates.  The Tigers will counter with Rick Porcello.  I would also like to congratulate my best friend and co-editor of Fans From The Stands, Chad Carlson, on his marriage to his beautiful bride Sarah Alvarez tonight.

Record vs. Tigers:  2-0
Record vs. A.L. Central 2-0
Record at PNC Park:  9-11
Overall Record 22-23

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!!!