Doumit's Grand Slam Helps Pirates Win Game, Take Series From Padres

By Chad Carlson

Photo Credit: AP

The Pittsburgh Pirates had the chance to win their fifth road series of the season tonight with a victory against the San Diego Padres.  After letting a close one slip away last night due to unforced errors and mental mistakes on both sides of the ball, the Buccos sent starter, and former Padre, Kevin Correia to the mound in hopes of locking up the series. 

That’s exactly what happened tonight, as a strong start from Kevin and a huge third inning offensively helped the Pirates win the game against the Padres tonight at PetCo Park, 7-4.

Correia pitched well tonight, but he didn’t necessarily have to after the third inning.  The Pirates’ offense, often stagnant this season, exploded tonight, burying the Padres early.  After gaining a 1-0 lead in the second inning, the Bucs blew the game wide open the very next inning. 

Neil Walker smacked a two-run single to center, scoring Andrew McCutchen and Xavier Paul.  Two batters later with the bases loaded, Ryan Doumit walked to the plate and hammered a 3-2 pitch over the left field wall for the grand slam.  It was the third G.S. of Doumit’s career, and extended the Pirates’ lead to a dominant 7-0.

As for Correia, he gave up two runs on five hits through six innings of work.  He struck out three and walked two, earning his fifth victory of the season.  His ERA sits at 2.91. 

Chris Resop and Daniel McCutchen did a superb job in relief, each pitching an inning of shutout baseball.

Unfortunately, as we, Bucco fans, have become accustomed to over the years, nothing ever seems to happen smoothly.  Jose Veras, who has been one of the more impressive relievers for the Pirates thus far, struggled mightily tonight in the ninth inning, giving up two solo homeruns and walking one batter.  After the Padres cut the lead to 7-4, Veras was able to get the final out, clinching the victory for the Bucs.

Wow, what a huge game for the Pirates.  This puts a cap on yet another successful road trip, as they finish up their west-coast trek with a 4-2 mark.  Doumit was the star of the day with two hits, including the grand slam, while Matt Diaz  had a pair of hits as well.  In all, the Pirates had eight hits, and took advantage of two costly third inning errors by San Diego.

This was an impressive victory for the Pirates.  The offense tallied seven runs on a day when Lyle Overbay, Pedro Alvarez, Jose Tabata, and Chris Snyder were out of the lineup.  They got an early lead once again for the ninth straight game, a strong starting pitching performance, and the bullpen, although not as clean tonight as usual, still did enough to keep the lead and secure the victory.

The Pirates fly home tonight to Pittsburgh and will enjoy a much-deserved day off tomorrow.  Their third home stand of the season kicks off this weekend with a three-game set against N.L. Central foes the Houston Astros, followed by a four-game stand against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Record Vs. Padres: 2-1

Record Vs. N.L. West: 6-7

Record On The Road: 11-8

Overall Record: 15-16

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

Pirates Can't Hold Early Lead, Lose Close One To Padres

By Chad Carlson

The Pirates entered tonight’s game at PetCo Park with the opportunity to achieve something last year’s club was unable to do.  With a victory against the Padres tonight, the Bucs would be ensured their fifth road series win of the season, which would surpass last year’s mark of four.  This would also bring the Pirates to that elusive .500 record, something that has been the focus of Pirates’ fans, players, and the rest of Major League Baseball for nearly the past 20 seasons.

Jeff Karstens made the start for the Bucs in place of the injured Ross Ohlendorf once again.  Hailing from San Diego, Karstens certainly wanted to have a great performance in front of his hometown. 

The Pirates once again got off to a great start tonight, as they scored first in the game for their eighth consecutive game.  Neil Walker crushed a double to deep center field, scoring Andrew McCutchen and Xavier Paul to give the Bucs an early 2-0 lead.

Unfortunately, despite the early run support, things didn’t turn out quite the way Karstens, or the Pirates, would have wanted.  After a solid first couple of innings, Jeff ran into trouble in the third frame.  Mat Latos, his mound opponent, hammered a solo homerun, which was followed up by another solo shot by Eric Patterson.  After a Ryan Ludwick double, Cameron Maybin smacked an RBI single, capping the Padres’ three-run inning.

After the getting through the fourth relatively easily, Karstens was pulled in the fifth inning, leaving two on and no outs for reliever Daniel McCutchen.  Fortunately for the Buccos, McCutchen was able to get out of the inning without allowing a run to cross the plate.

The Pirates responded in the seventh inning for three runs.  With runners on first and third and one out, Matt Diaz hammered a pinch-hit double to right center, scoring Chris Snyder to tie the game.  The very next batter, McCutchen, hammered a two-run single straight up the middle to give the Pirates a 5-3 lead.

This advantage didn’t last long for Pittsburgh, as the Padres responded immediately in the bottom half of the inning for two runs of their own.  After two consecutive balls directed toward Ronny Cedeno resulted in hits, followed by a bunt single, the Padres had the bases loaded with no outs.  After Joe Beimel walked in a run to cut the lead to 5-4, he then forced a double play ball around the horn, which allowed another run to score.  When the seventh ended, the Padres and Pirates were tied.

In the bottom of the eighth, San Diego broke the tie as Rob Johnson crushed a Joe Beimel fastball over the fence to give the Padres a 6-5 advantage.  On a bright note, Daniel Moskos came in and forced a groundball double play to end the Padres’ threat in the eighth.

Heath Bell came in and earned his 41^st consecutive save for the Padres in the ninth.  After Brandon Wood drew a walk to lead off the inning, he advanced to second on Cedeno’s sacrifice bunt.  With one out and Ryan Doumit at the plate, Bell’s pitch took a dive in the dirt, giving Wood an opportunity to advance to third.  Johnson made a perfect throw over to third, Chase Headley made the tag, and Wood was called out.  Doumit struck out a few pitches later, and the Padres won the game, 6-5.

This was a tough loss for the Pirates tonight.  It was a back and forth type game from start to finish, and the Padres had the knockout punch in the form of Johnson’s homerun.  Karstens certainly didn’t have his best start, but he can’t necessarily be blamed for the loss.  This is one of those games in which there isn’t a definite reason why we came up short. 

The bullpen gave up three runs tonight, something that we, Pirates’ fans, aren’t used to seeing this season thus far.  Mike Crotta, in particular, had a rough outing, and of course, Beimel gave up the big one to Johnson. 

Even more frustrating, however, was Ronny Cedeno.  He had an average evening at the plate, with a hit as well as a sacrifice, but his fielding was especially shameful.  He made another unsuccessful attempt at a bare-handed pick and throw for the second consecutive game, and the back-to-back balls hit to him in the seventh inning proved to be monumental.  He is a Major League shortstop (or is he?); at least one of those plays needs to be made.  Neither one was made, and the Padres ended up scored two runs.

This sets up yet another rubber match for the Pirates…this time, tomorrow at 6:30 as they close out their west-coast road trip.  Kevin Correia will get the start for the Pirates, facing off against the Padres’ Clayton Richard.

Record Vs. Padres:  1-1

Record Vs. N.L. West: 5-7

Record On The Road: 10-8

Overall Record: 14-16

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

Jones And Snyder Homer As Pirates Win Again On The Road

By Zane Heiple

Photo Credit: AP

The Buccos left a cold Colorado and headed to sunny San Diego for a three game set with the Padres.  Pittsburgh came into this series with a 9-7 record on the road and is facing a Padres team that has only won four times at PetCo Park this season.  James McDonald was looking to build on the success of his last start tonight, while Aaron Harang took to the hill for San Diego.

The Pirates have scored first in six straight coming into this game and tonight was no different.  A pair of two-run homeruns gave Pittsburgh a 4-0 lead in the first inning.  Garrett Jones hit the first one after Xavier Paul singled past second baseman Orlando Hudson.  Chris Snyder hit his first homerun of the year with two outs and Neil Walker on third after a pickoff error by Harang.

Jones flashed some leather in the fourth inning on a nice sliding catch near the foul line in right field.  This was followed up in the fifth when he gunned out Padres’ first baseman Brad Hawpe at the plate after catching an Eric Patterson fly ball.

McDonald was cruising until the sixth when Jorge Cantu blasted a two run homer to left field that cut the Pirates’ lead to 4-2.  James exited the game after this inning.  His final line read:  two runs on five hits with five strikeouts and one walk.  It was great to see him decrease that walk total tonight and the two runs is something we will take anytime when he makes a start.

The bullpen was finally charged with a run tonight.  After Jose Veras pitched a scoreless seventh inning, striking out two batters, Chris Resop allowed on run when Ryan Ludwick singled home Will Venable from second base.  Fortunately, Resop stopped the bleeding and was able to hand the ball to Joel Hanrahan for the ninth inning.

The ninth would be interesting for the Buccos.  Hanrahan got the first two outs, but gave up a single to Nick Hundley with two strikes.  Pinch runner Chris Denorfia advanced to third when a ground ball by Chase Headley made its way past Neil Walker.  Joel earned his ninth save of the year, however, and closed the door on a 4-3 Pirates’ win, when Venable grounded out to shortstop Ronny Cedeno.

Pittsburgh battled to maintain an early four run lead to pick up win number ten on the road this year.  While it would have been nice to see the offense maintain the onslaught after the first inning, the pitching staff once again pitched well to maintain the early lead.  Make sure to take another power nap tomorrow as these two teams will go at it again at 10:05 pm EST with Jeff Karstens making another start for the injured Ross Ohlendorf, while Padres’ pitcher Mat Latos will look for his first win of the year for San Diego.

Record Vs. Padres: 1-0

Record Vs. N.L. West: 5-6

Record On The Road: 10-7

Overall Record: 14-15

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!