Pirates Manage Only Five Hits, Shut Out By Diamondbacks In Series Finale

By Chad Carlson

Photo Credit: Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

For the second straight series, the Pirates had a chance to sweep their opponent at PNC Park…and for the second time in as many chances, they came up short in the finale.  Tonight, the Pirates lost a low-scoring contest to the Arizona Diamondbacks, 2-0.

The Pirates managed only five hits tonight against four Arizona pitchers, including starter Josh Collmenter.  The rookie right-hander gave up just four hits and walked two through his five innings of work.  The bullpen took over in the sixth inning and equaled his performance, giving up only one hit through the final four innings of the game.  David Hernandez, who was responsible for the majority of the damage in the five run inning the Pirates put on in the first game of the series, picked up his second save of the season.

The Pirates’ loss tonight can’t be put on Jeff Karstens.  The right handed “spot starter,” at least, that’s how he began the season, was superb against the Diamondback hitters.  Karstens gave up only four hits and walked one batter through his seven innings.  His ERA now sits at 2.94 for the season. 

Chris Resop entered in the eighth inning and gave up the game-winning hit to Chris Young, who blasted a two-run homerun to left field to give the Diamondbacks a 2-0 lead.  Young had two of the team’s eight hits on the night.

The Pirates’ offense didn’t accumulate many hits on the evening, but they did have opportunities to score runs, leaving men in scoring position in three separate innings.  As a team, the Buccos left a total of nine men on base for the game.  Lyle Overbay struck out with runners on first and third in the opening frame, while Xavier Paul failed to reach base with runners on first and second in the seventh inning.

Hits were at a premium for the Buccos, with not a single player tallying a multi-hit game.  Andrew McCutchen reached base twice against tonight, raising his batting average to .283.  Pirates’ batters struck out a total of nine times.

This is a tough loss for the Pirates.  There are positives to take away from the game, however.  Cutch and Neil Walker continue to swing hot bats.  Karstens pitched a fantastic game, and the starting pitching impresses once again.  And Tony Watson, making his Major League debut last night, had another nice appearance tonight, giving up just one hit in a little over an inning of work. 

This home stand, thought by some to be the breaking point of the 2011 season, has been just the opposite thus far.  After taking the first two series at PNC Park from the Phillies and Diamondbacks, the Pirates now welcome the New York Mets to town for another four game series.  The two teams split their four gamer in New York last week.

Record Vs. Diamondbacks: 2-1

Record Vs. N.L. West: 9-10

Record At Home: 13-16

Overall Record: 30-31

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!