Bumgarner, Bullpen Silence Buccos Bats

by Zane Heiple

Photo by Getty Images

The Pittsburgh Pirates ended a 10 game losing streak after defeating the San Francisco Giants 5-0 on Monday night and were hoping that James McDonald could pitch at a high level like Charlie Morton did during the win.  The Giants, who are in a slump of their own, still sit atop the National League West Division, but have the Arizona Diamondbacks on their heels.

Through the first three innings there was not much offense to speak of, but Ryan Ludwick made a great diving catch in the bottom part of the third inning and doubled up San Fran pitcher Madison Bumgarner.  The Giants were able to jump on the scoreboard first when Aubrey Huff would double home Jeff Keppinger in the bottom of the fourth.

Pablo Sandoval made a great play at third base on a one hopper to prevent Ronny Cedeno from scoring on what would have been an Andrew McCutchen single in the fifth inning.  This play proved big as Chris Stewart would take the first pitch of the inning deep to give the Giants a 2-0 lead.  Huff would strike again, this time with a solo home run in the sixth inning.

McDonald’s night was finished after six innings of work and while his stat line of three runs on four hits with four strikeouts and three walks was not as impressive as Morton’s the night before, it was unfortunate that the offense could not give him any run support.  Bumgarner was the reason for the Pirates struggles at the plate on this night.  He pitched seven innings striking out ten batters, walking one, and allowing zero runs on four hits. 

The Giants added three more runs in the eighth inning.  The first was when Nick Schierholtz hit into a fielder’s choice allowing Sandoval to score from third.  The next came when Cody Ross hit a shallow fly ball to right that none of the Buccos defense could get too.  Ross would advance to third base on a throwing error by Ryan Doumit.  Ross then came into score on a Orlando Cabrera single to give San Francisco a 6-0 victory.
 
It was frustrating to watch the offense of the Pirates shut out only one night after they scored five runs.  Hopefully they will have an answer tomorrow in the rubber match of this series.  Also the bullpen struggled again tonight as they had to use three pitchers just to get out of the eighth inning.  Jeff Karstens will get the ball for the Pirates, while the G-Men will counter with Jonathan Sanchez.  First pitch is scheduled for 3:45pm.

Record vs. Giants:  2-3
Record vs. N.L. West:  10-14
Record on the Road:  29-28
Overall Record:  55-60

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!!!

Astros Avoid Sweep With 8-2 Victory Over Pirates

by Zane Heiple

Photo by Getty Images

A lot as gone right for the Pittsburgh Pirates of late, but tonight against the Houston Astros in one inning everything went wrong.  Charlie Morton was cruising again tonight for the Pirates until the sixth inning when a pair of errors, a bad defensive decision, and some timely hitting dug the Buccos in a hole that they could not climb out of.

Pittsburgh actually jumped out on top early in the first inning, when Andrew McCutchen singled home Alex Presley.  Neil Walker then flew out to Carlos Lee in left field and then doubled off Garrett Jones, who made a bad read on the ball, at second base.  After that both teams were held scoreless until the Stros piled on in the sixth.

It all started on a fielding error by Chase d’ Arnaud on a groundball by Michael Bourn.  Angel Sanchez would then have an RBI double and advance to third on an error by McCutchen.  Carlos Lee would then triple when Cutch dove for a ball and missed, allowing the ball to roll to the centerfield wall.   Lee would score on a Jeff Keppinger double.  Two batters later, Keppinger would come around to touch home plate on a single by Clint Barmes.  Morton would exit the game after facing Barmes.  After five decent innings, he could not go any longer after poor execution by his defense.  His final stat line read 5.1 innings pitched, allowing four runs on eight hits, with one walk and six strikeouts.

The Pirates would add a run in the bottom part of the inning when McCutchen would ground out to third, allowing d’Arnaud to score.  While this closed the gap to 5-2, three runs would be all the closer our Battlin’ Buccos would get on the night.  Houston starter Bud Norris pitched very well to help his team salvage a game in this series.  He would go seven innings allowing two runs on seven hits with three strikeouts and two walks.

Even the bullpen had a rough night.  After Chris Leroux pitched 1.2 scoreless innings, Daniel McCutchen was touched for two runs on three hits in the ninth, and Daniel Moskos would give up one more run before getting the final out.  The Bucco bats went 1-2-3 in the bottom part of the ninth to give Houston an 8-2 victory.

This game had some flashbacks to 2010 in my opinion, one bad inning leading to a blowout victory.  The offense never seemed to be really into the game after the first inning and there seemed to be a lot of mental mistakes in the field and on the base paths.  The best thing to remember is that it is a long season and games will be lost.  On a plus note, this was the 17^th series that the team had won on the year.  The Pirates will have tomorrow off before welcoming the Chicago Cubs to town to begin a three game series.  James McDonald will start for the Buccos, while the North Siders will send Rodrigo Lopez to the bump.  First pitch is schedule for 7:05.

Record vs. Astros:  7-2
Record vs. N.L. Central:  18-11
Home Record:  21-21
Overall Record:  45-42

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!!!

Buccos Complete Sweep Of Stros

by Zane Heiple

Photo by Getty Images

While the Pittsburgh Pirates have had much more success on the road this year than they did in 2010, the one thing that has eluded them is the sweep over their opponents.  The Pirates came into today’s matinee against the Houston Astros with a chance to break out the brooms.

The Buccos wasted little time gaining the lead over the Astros.  After Jose Tabata reached on a single and Andrew McCutchen walked, Garrett Jones blasted a three run home run to right field.  The Astros almost had a run in the third but a relay from Tabata to Ronny Cedeno to Dusty Brown had Hunter Pence out at home.  Houston did however score two in the bottom of the fourth.  They would then tie the game in the fifth when Pence hit a double that scored Michael Bourn.

Pittsburgh’s offense would come back to life in the sixth inning with some help from Bourn.  Jones would hit a fly ball to center field, but Bourn was unable to handle the ball.  This mistake would allow Cutch to score from second.  Josh Harrison then doubled to score Walker from third.  Unfortunately Jones was thrown out at home by Houston second baseman Jeff Keppinger.

James McDonald finished his day with two outs in the sixth inning.  McDonald wasn’t at his best today but it was efficient enough to pick up his fifth win of the year.  He gave up three runs on seven hits, while striking out and walking four.

Joel Hanrahan was given the day off after pitching three straight days.  With a save on the line, Jose Veras was given the task to finish off the Stros.  After a leadoff single by Jason Bourgeois, Bourn would ground out.  Keppinger would single to bring home Bourgeois.  This would be followed by two straight ground outs to Pirates third baseman Brandon Wood to close the game and give the Buccos the sweep and a 5-4 win.

Great to see the Pirates finish off a series in a sweep.  This is the fourth straight game the Buccos have won and will now head to Cleveland for their first road interleague series of the year.

Record vs. Astros:  5-1
Record vs. N.L. Central:  16-10
Record On The Road:  20-15
Overall Record:  35-33

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!!!