Game 81 Recap-
The Tampa Bay Rays got 4 run producing plays from back ups and got solid pitching from 3 sources, helping them beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 Sunday at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. The win allows the Rays to take 2 of three in the series and puts them in 1st place for the first time since June 3.
C Shawn Riggans( home run, 2 rbi) and utility man Willy Aybar(homer, rbi and hit that forced an error to plate another run) helping RH Andy Sonnanstine(9-3,4.60) win his 9th game. Set up man RH Dan Wheeler(1.93) got his 19th hold and veteran closer Troy Percival(2.96) pitched the 9th for his 19th save.
Veteran LH Tom Gorzelanny(6-6,6.18) battled and maybe has turned the corner on a tough 1st half. Over 6 innings, he allowed 8 hits and 2 runs with 8 strikeouts and 2 walks. Unfortunately, the Rays made him work and he was at 111 pitches over the 6 innings. Riggans’(4th) and Aybar’s (6th) homers accounted for both Rays runs. Pirates LF Jason Bay’s 4th inning sacrifice fly & CF Nate McLouth’s rbi ground out tied the score in the 6th.
Pirates RH Tyler Yates was also done in by the Rays 2 man offense. Aybar singled and a throwing error by RF Xavier Nady(leads the NL in assists with 9) allowed a runner to score from 3rd to make it 3-2. Riggans then scored Aybar with a single and it was 4-2.The Pirates did not quit and C Ryan Doumi’s rbi single made it 4-3 in the 8th. Percival allowed a leadoff walk in the 9th but showed veteran moxie striking out the last 2 hitters of the game for a 4-3 win.
Star of the Game-
Sonnanstine— Effective and economic 7 innings with 98 pitches
Pirates Notes-
SS Jack Wilson had 2 hits to lead the club…. Gorzelanny, who has had a tough season to say the least, allowed fewer than 3 earned runs for the 1st time in 7 starts…Team should vote to cancel interleague play, they are 62-103 all time vs the AL
Next Game-
Monday,7:10
Opener of a 3 game series vs the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park
Pirates LH Paul Maholm(5-5,4.41) vs Reds Aaron Harang(3-10,4.51)
