Pirates Offense Waste Morton's Start, Lose Sixth Straight

by Zane Heiple

Photo by Getty Images

After a night where the Pittsburgh Pirates pitching staff was shelled for eleven runs, Charlie Morton did all he could to help the Buccos defeat the Chicago Cubs tonight.  Unfortunately the Pittsburgh offense was once again shut down, this time in a 1-0 defeat.

Morton rolled all night long as he would go seven innings allowing zero runs on seven hits, with seven K's and two walks.  The only jam that Chuck would be in all night came in the sixth when he allowed two singles and walked a batter to load the bases with two outs.  He was able to end the threat by getting Marlon Byrd to ground out.  Cubs starter Matt Garza was equally as good, also going seven innings striking out seven and walking two batters, but most importantly he did not give up a run.

The only run scored on the night came in the eighth inning when Pirates reliever Chris Resop gave up a solo home run to Starlin Castro.  Castro has been killing the Pirates this series as he has gone 9-14 in three games and will have a chance to improve that with one game left.

The offense was absolutley dismal tonight, which has been the story since the All-Star break. As a team they collected four hits, two from Pedro Alvarez, and left seven men on base.  The 3-4-5 hitters went a combined 1-10.

Coming into the home stand, the Buccos needed to beat the Cubs at least three times to keep pace with the Milwaukee Brewers.  The opposite has happend and it looks like any hope for late season magic and a run at the post season has all but ended.  Tonights loss drops the team to a game under .500 and 6.5 games back of the Brew Crew.  They will have one more shot at the North Siders tomorrow night at PNC Park.  First pitch is scheduled at 7:05pm with James McDonald going for Pittsburgh, while Chicago counters with Rodrigo Lopez.

Record vs. Cubs:  6-6
Record vs. N.L. Central:  25-19
Record at PNC Park:  26-28
Overall Record:  54-55

And...

As Always...

Let's Go Bucs!!!

Correia Continues To Struggle At PNC Park, Pirates Fall To Cubs

by Zane Heiple

Photo By AP

The Pittsburgh Pirates were hoping to carry a bit of momentum from Friday night’s game into Saturday’s contest against the Chicago Cubs.  With eleven game winner Kevin Correia on the mound, fans hoped that with a little production from the offense our Buccos could put the Cubs down for the second straight night.

Correia had a very rough outing tonight as he would only last 3.2 innings tonight allowing five earned runs on nine hits, while walking one and striking out two.  He seemed to have trouble making quality pitches on the night.  With many counts going deep he was forced to throw strikes in the middle of the zone and the Chicago batters had little trouble putting the ball in play.  The loss tonight dropped his record to 11-7 on the year and his ERA is now at 4.01.  Cubs starter Ryan Dempster wasn’t much better in the stat line as his night finished after going five innings allowing three runs on seven hits, but he was able to get the Pittsburgh offense to hit the ball at his defense when it mattered most.

Pregame Show:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_0RPeovpHk

Down 4-0 in the third Pittsburgh cut into the lead after Neil Walker brought in Alex Presley, who tripled, on a ground out to second base.  The Cubs were able to get that run back in the fourth on a Starlin Castro single that brought in Darwin Barney.  The Buccos would make it a two run game in the bottom part of the inning on a Matt Diaz double that would score Garrett Jones and Michael McKenry.  That would be all the closer Pittsburgh could get as the Cubs would add a run in the ninth to take game two of this series 6-3.

Postgame Show:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBh96vhp02M

The final game before the All-Star break will be a big one as the Pirates look to win another series and home stand.  A win would also keep Pittsburgh at least one game out first place entering the break.  Lyle Overbay was pulled from the game in fourth inning, with trade rumors that Pittsburgh may try to acquire Cubs first baseman Carlos Pena, Overbay’s time in a Pirates uniform may be short.  Andrew McCutchen was named to the All-Star team, replacing Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun.  Sunday’s game is scheduled to begin at 1:35 with Paul Maholm pitching for the Pirates and Ramon Ortiz on the hill for the Cubs.

Record vs. Cubs:  5-3
Record vs. N.L. Central 19-12
Record at Home:  22-22
Overall Record:  46-43

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!!!