Pirates' Offensive Woes Continue In Fourth Straight Loss

By Chad Carlson

Photo Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Well as the old motto suggests, defense wins championships.  Actually, a variation that applies to baseball, perhaps more so than anything else, is that pitching wins championships.  After all, pitching was the main reason the Pirates occupied first place into mid-July. 

Pitching has also been very kind to the Arizona Diamondbacks.  In fact, it had them atop the N.L. West division by 5 games entering tonight’s contest against the Pirates at Chase Field.  Their top starter, Ian Kennedy, was looking for his 20^th victory of the season…and he had the strikeout ball working tonight.

Kennedy struck out 12 Pirates through his eight innings of scoreless baseball.  He was nearly flawless tonight, giving up only one hit, which came to Pirates’ starter Jeff Karstens in the third inning.  Bucs’ hitters looked baffled all night, but shockingly, they still had a chance to win late in the game.

Karstens pitched a fabulous game tonight for Pittsburgh, giving up one run on five hits through his six innings of work in his final start of the 2011 season.  His ERA sits at 3.38. 

In three career starts against the Diamondbacks, Karstens has given up just one earned run in 22 innings of work.

Justin Upton proved to be the difference tonight, as he belted a broken-bat 3-0 pitch from Karstens just over Alex Presley’s head in left field to give Arizona a 1-0 lead, which would be the only run scored in the game.

The Bucs had a chance in the ninth to tie the game.  Presley smacked a one-out triple to right center field, but Neil Walker and Andrew McCutchen grounded out and struck out to end the game. 

This was obviously a very frustrating loss for the Bucs.  Karstens pitched a fantastic game tonight, which is very encouraging as the Bucs head into the postseason.  The offense’s strikeout woes continued tonight, which is unacceptable.  The Pirates managed just two hits all night.

It won’t get much easier for the Pirates tomorrow as Daniel Hudson takes the hill for Arizona against Charlie Morton. 

Record Vs. Diamondbacks: 2-2

Record Vs. N.L. West: 12-19

Record On The Road: 34-42

Overall Record: 68-86

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

Cutch Walks Off In Twelfth To Give Pirates Victory

by Zane Heiple

Photo by Getty Images

Zach Duke made his return to PNC Park tonight and faced his former teammate Paul Maholm.  Both pitchers made their debuts in Bucco uniforms during the 2005 season.  Duke was traded to Arizona during the offseason and has only made two starts this season, going 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA, since coming off the disabled list.  Maholm on the other hand is having one of his best seasons, even though win-loss record does not show.  After a rough outing for Paul in his last start, he would look to bounce back and defeat the former Pirate he would be opposing.

Pittsburgh continued its trend of scoring first again tonight.  Andrew McCutchen would bring home Jose Tabata on a sacrifice fly to left field.  Unfortunately this was the only run Maholm would receive in support tonight.  Paul would go six innings allowing zero runs, while walking three and striking out four.

Jose Veras came in during the seventh and had little success against Arizona.  After walking the first batter, Willie Bloomquist would bunt to move the runner over to second.  Stephen Drew then hit a pinch hit single to tie the game for the D-backs.  Veras left the game after hitting Justin Upton and was replaced by Tony Watson who made his Major League debut.  Watson would strikeout the first two batters he faced on 3-2 counts to end the inning.

Zach Duke pitched well tonight as well, even though he would not factor into the decision.  His final stat line read seven innings pitched, nine hits, one earned run, and one strikeout.  While Duke may have not had the best career as a Bucco, it is good to see him have success with another team.

Nine innings would not be enough tonight.  The Diamondbacks wasted little time taking the lead.  Drew struck again as he singled home Kelly Johnson off of Pirates reliever Daniel Moskos.  In past years the Pirates may have been counted out, but this year is different.  After a ground rule double by McCutchen, Neil Walker would single to tie the game at two.

Pittsburgh found themselves in trouble in the eleventh.  Arizona had runners on first and third with no outs, but Daniel McCutchen was able to slither his way out.  After striking out Ryan Roberts for the first out of the inning, D-Cutch was able to induce a 3-6-3 double play to end the inning and keep the game tied.  The Pirates then had runners on first and third in the bottom part of the inning, but were unable to capitalize as Xavier Paul would fly out to left field to end the threat.

The twelfth saw more Pittsburgh heroics as the dreadlocked one we call Cutch would step to the plate and hit the walk off homerun to give the Pirates a 3-2 win and bring the team back to .500.

While the Pirates were unable to get Maholm the win it was great to see them continue to battle.  The bullpen faltered at times, but was also able to get big nights from Joel Hanrahan, Daniel Moskos, and tonight’s winner Daniel McCutchen.  Pittsburgh will finish this series tomorrow night with Arizona as Jeff Karstens will take the hill for the Buccos.

Side notes from the game:  Pedro Alvarez reinjured his quad during an extended spring training game today and will be rested for the next week to rehab the injury.  Also tonight Chris Snyder left the game with a back injury while trying to stretch a single into a double.  If this injury lands him on the DL, then Pittsburgh will need to call up a catcher from AAA Indianapolis for tomorrow’s game.

Record vs. Diamondbacks:  2-0
Record vs. N.L. West:  9-9
Record at Home:  13-15
Overall Record 30-30

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!!!