Overbay, Jones HR Lead Pirates Over Red Sox

by Zane Heiple

Photo by Getty Images

After a nail biting end last night to beat the Boston Red Sox, the Pittsburgh Pirates would once again give the record sell-out crowd at PNC Park their money’s worth in a 6-4 win tonight. 

Jeff Karstens ran into a little trouble early in the game.  He gave up an unearned run in the first inning, when Dustin Pedroia scored on an Adrian Gonzalez ground out to Ronny Cedeno.  Gonzalez then would hit a solo home run in the third inning to give Boston a 2-0 lead.  That would be the last time the Red Sox would lead on the night.

The Pirates offense would break out for four runs in the fourth inning off of Boston starter Tim Wakefield.  After an Andrew McCutchen single and a Neil Walker walk, Lyle Overbay would blast a 3-run HR into the right field seats.  Cedeno would then double and be brought home when Karstens hit a two out single up the middle.  The Buccos would make it 5-2 in the fifth inning when Pedroia pulled a Bill Buckner and allowed a routine ground ball to go through his legs, which allowed Chase d’Arnaud to score.

The Sox cut into the lead in the seventh inning on solo home runs by Josh Reddick and Jacoby Ellsbury.  This would end Karstens night after 6.2 innings pitched.  He would give up three earned runs on six hits, while striking out two and walking three.

With the Pirates lead cut to 5-4, Garrett Jones would blast a solo home run to right-centerfield in the bottom part of the seventh to add some insurance for the bullpen.  The bullpen once again stepped up in a high pressure situation.  Pittsburgh would use four men out of the bullpen to hold onto the lead, allowing Joel Hanrahan to come out and collect his 22^nd save, in as many chances.

The Pirates took the series with the win tonight and have a chance to take the all three games from Boston tomorrow.  The Pirates will send James McDonald to the mound, while the Red Sox will counter with Andrew Miller.  First pitch is scheduled for 1:35.

Record vs. Red Sox:  2-0
Record vs. A.L. East 4-1
Interleague Play Record:  6-5
Record at Home:  19-19
Overall Record 39-37

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!!!