Cardinals Too Powerful For Bucs, Win Game One 8-4

By Chad Carlson

Photo Credit: Dilip Vishwanat

After a 5-5 home stand, including a series split against the Milwaukee Brewers, the Pirates kicked off their road trip tonight in the first of four games against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. 

Both teams had been struggling coming into this series, as the Cardinals and Pirates trailed the first place Brewers in the N.L. Central by 10 and 15 ½ games respectively.  Pittsburgh returned to Busch Stadium tonight for the first time since the second series of the season back in April, when they took two of three games from the Cardinals. 

The Pirates and Cardinals battled back and forth for the better part of the game, but in the end, it was the Red Birds’ powerful offensive attack that was the difference, as they took game one of the series tonight by a final score of 8-4.

Charlie Morton made the start tonight and certainly didn’t pitch his best, giving up five runs on nine hits through 4.1 innings of work.  His ERA continues to rise, now sitting at 3.62.

St. Louis took the lead in the first inning when Allen Craig and Albert Pujols hit back-to-back doubles to put the Cardinals on the board, 1-0.  Lance Berkman’s RBI single scored Pujols, and the Bucs trailed by two runs after the first inning.

Skip Schumaker’s RBI single in the second inning scored Rafael Furcal, and the Cardinals looked as if they were going to run away with the game against Morton.

The Pirates battled back in the third inning, thanks, in large part, to Cardinals’ starter Edwin Jackson’s control problems.  After Michael McKenry reached on an error to lead off the inning, Morton sacrificed him over to second base.  With two outs, Alex Presley, who was recalled earlier in the day from Indianapolis, singled home McKenry to get the Bucs on the board.  After Jackson walked Andrew McCutchen and Neil Walker to load the bases, Garrett Jones delivered a big two-run single on a full count to tie the game, 3-3.

McKenry’s RBI double in the fourth scored Ronny Cedeno, who led off the inning with a double of his own.  The Pirates owned a 4-3 advantage.

The Cardinals regained the lead in the fifth inning on a two-run single by David Freese, which scored Craig and Pujols. 

The best chance for the Pirates to tie things up came in the eighth inning.  Jones led off with a single, and Xavier Paul, who was called in to pinch run, stole second base.  With a runner in scoring position and no outs, the Bucs were unable to bring the tying run across the plate. 

St. Louis added three insurance runs in the bottom half of the eighth to seal the victory.  After John Jay reached base with a double, Puljos was intentionally walked for the second time in the game, putting two runners on with two outs.  Matt Holiday crushed a three-run homerun off Tony Watson to extend the lead to 8-4.

This was certainly not the way the Pirates wanted to start this road trip.  The Bucs aren’t going to out-hit too many teams in this league, and that definitely includes the Cardinals, who, when at their best, can hit with the top teams in baseball. 

While Morton didn’t have his best game, the bullpen didn’t exactly hold up their end of the bargain either.  Watson gave up the big three-run shot in the eighth which effectively put the game out of reach.

Chris LeRoux pitched very well in relief, giving up just one hit in his 2.2 innings of work.  Garrett Jones continued his hot streak at the plate, going 2-4 with a double, single, a walk, and two RBI’s.  In his return to the club, Alex Presley had an RBI single, while Michael McKenry added two hits and an RBI of his own.

Jose Tabata, Andrew McCutchen, and Neil Walker went a combined 0-10.  Tabata’s hitting streak ended at 10 games.

The Pirates will try to get back on the winning track tomorrow evening at Busch Stadium.  James McDonald will start for Pittsburgh, opposed by the Cardinals’ Jake Westbrook.

Record Vs. Cardinals: 5-5

Record Vs. N.L. Central: 30-29

Record On The Road: 30-32

Overall Record: 61-69

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

Pujols Drives In Two As Cardinals Even Series With Bucs

By Chad Carlson

Overbay's HR was the Pirates' Only Offense Of The Game (AP)

Fresh off another impressive road victory last night, the Pittsburgh Pirates faced off against the St. Louis Cardinals for the second time in the three game series.  James McDonald made his 2011 regular season debut for the Buccos, while the Cardinals sent Kyle McClellan to the hill.  McClelland was making his first start in the Major Leagues after 202 relief appearances.

The Pirates jumped out to an early lead tonight in the first inning against St. Louis.  After a Jose Tabata double to start the game, Lyle Overbay crushed a two-run homerun to deep right field, giving the Buccos the early 2-0 advantage.

Following the first inning, however, McClelland settled down and got into quite the rhythm against the Pirates’ batter.  He struck out a total of seven batters, and finished his six innings of work having only given up the two runs on six hits and walking one batter.

McDonald’s performance tonight didn’t match up to those of his predecessors the previous days before.  James struggled with his control throughout the evening, walking four batters. 

After blanking the Cardinals through three innings, McDonald finally opened the door of opportunity in the fourth frame.  Allen Craig singled to centerfield, scoring Lance Berkman and cutting the Pirates’ lead in half.  The Cardinals followed that up the very next inning as Ryan Theriot scored on Albert Pujols’s sacrifice fly to right center, tying the game 2-2.

McDonald lasted just 4.2 innings, giving up two runs on four hits, and again, the four walks.  Above everything else, his control (or lack thereof) tonight is of most concern.  Still, James did enough to keep the Pirates in the baseball game.  Again, this is something that we have been stressing was of extreme importance for the team to remain competitive.  In that regard, McDonald did his job…but it would’ve been nice to have him go AT LEAST five or six innings.

The Cardinals took the lead in the seventh inning off the bat of Pujols, who drove in his second run of the game on a seeing-eye single just past the outstretched reach of Pedro Alvarez.  Theriot crossed the plate and St. Louis led for the first time of the night, 3-2.

The Buccos threatened in the eighth inning to tie the game.  With two outs, Andrew McCutchen singled to right field, and Lyle Overbay walked, setting the stage for Alvarez.  Unfortunately, Pedro struck out on four pitches, ending the inning and the threat.

The Pirates and Cardinals played a close game tonight.  These are the types of games that, while it’s always difficult to lose, fans can at least find some satisfaction in the fact it was  highly competitive game that essentially came down to Albert Pujols sneaking a ground ball past the infield.  That was the main difference in the game.  McDonald’s control was bothersome, but the bullpen, overall, did a nice job keeping the Pirates in the game. 

Overbay and McCutchen each had a pair of hits tonight, while Alvarez and Neil Walker were held hitless, striking out three times each.

The earned run in the seventh was charged to Garrett Olson, but Jeff Karstens and Chris Resop each pitched scoreless baseball, which is a positive for Pittsburgh fans.  The Buccos struck out eleven times tonight, something that has been a constant throughout the season so far. 

The rubber match is set for tomorrow afternoon at Busch Stadium, as the Pirates will look to win their second consecutive road series to begin the 2011 season.  Kevin Correia will take the mound for the Pirates tomorrow.

Record Vs. Cardinals: 1-1
Record Vs. N.L. Central: 3-2
Record On The Road: 3-2
Overall Record: 3-2

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

Morton Holds Cardinals In Check, Pirates Win Again

By Zane Heiple

Photo Credit:  Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

The Pittsburgh Pirates left Chicago and headed down Interstate-55 to begin a three-game set with their division rival, the St. Louis Cardinals.  After a great spring, Charlie Morton was given the task of shutting down the Cardinals, while the Bucco bats would be tested by Kyle Lohse.

St. Louis scored first in the second inning.  After Lance Berkman reached first on a walk, he advanced to third on a well-planned hit and run.  Berkman then scored when David Freese hit into a 5-4-3 double play.

In the fourth inning, Pirates’ second baseman Neil Walker made a beautiful sliding backhanded stab at a ball hit up the middle to prevent the Cards from increasing their lead.

The Pittsburgh Kid Walker gave the Pirates a 2-1 lead in the top of the sixth inning when he hit an opposite-field double.  The very next batter, Andrew McCutchen gave the Buccos a 4-1 advantage on a homerun to left field.

Morton finished his day after the sixth inning.  While his command wasn’t great (with five walks issued), he only allowed one run on three hits while striking out two batters.  This marked the fourth game in a row that the Pirates have had a starter go at least six innings.  This is why the Buccos have been in all four of their games this season.

Jose Veras pitched the seventh inning for Pittsburgh.  After giving up a single to the first batter, he struck out Jon Jay, and then followed that up by inducing an inning-ending double play.

Evan Meek took to the hill in the eighth inning and had another dismal performance, giving up two runs on two hits and one walk.  With no outs in the inning, manager Clint Hurdle brought in Mike Crotta to try to stop the late-game bleeding.  Ronny Cedeno once again bobbled a routine grounder to prevent a double play from being turned and only getting one out with the Buccos up 4-3. 

After Crotta notched two outs, Joel Hanrahan came in and struck out Yadier Molina for the final out of the eighth.  Hanrahan stayed in the game for the ninth inning and earned his third save of the year by setting the Cardinals down in order and allowing Pittsburgh to escape with a 4-3 victory.

As we all know when watching the Pirates, a game isn’t over until they get out number 27.  As tough as it was to watch Meek struggle for the second time this season, it was great to see Hanrahan come in and shut St. Louis down.  This just shows that Hurdle know what he was doing when he named Joel the closer so early in Spring Training.

The Pirates battle the Cardinals again tomorrow night at 8:15 in game two of this three-game series.  James McDonald will make his 2011 debut for the Buccos.

Record Vs. Cardinals:  1-0
Record Vs. N.L. Central:  3-1
Record On The Road:  3-1
Overall Record:  3-1

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!