Game 60 Recap-
The Pittsburgh Pirates continue to get great production from their OF unit and it extended to the bench as they won 4-3 Thursday vs the Houston Astros at PNC Park. Regular LF Jason Bay tripled in the decisive run in the 5th after reserve OF Jason Michaels’ 3 run homer in the 1st scored the other Pittsburgh runs.
The other story of this game was Pirates LH Paul Maholm(4-5,4.48 era). He was outstanding after some early struggles, in 8 innings, he allowed 8 hits and 3 runs(2 earned) with 1 strikeout. The Astros scored in the 1st via an infield single from NL Player of the Month, 1b Lance Berkman.(.382,17,48) Houston scored 2 more in the 2nd on a single by starting pitcher Brandon Backe and a sacrifice fly by RF Hunter Pence. However, after that, Maholm was on. Pittsburgh Manager John Russell summed it up, “That’s the way Paul is. He has that one inning. The he setttled in and did really well. He did a great job from the 3rd inning on.”
Houston starter RH SP Brandon Backe(4-6,4.54) did not pitch poorly, he was solid but the homer to Michaels was huge. Over his 6 innings, he allowed 9 hits and 4 runs with 2 walks & strike outs. His 2nd mistake accorded in the 5th when Bay tripled in CF Nate McLouth after the speedster reached on an infield single. Houston got 2 innings of scoreless relief from 2 pitchers to keep the game at 4-3.
Pirates closer rh Matt Capps allowed two runners in the 9th on a hit batter and infield single. However, he got a groundout and lineout for 2 outs. A deep drive to center by Pence stayed in the park and give Capps his 13th save and a nice Pirates win.
Star of the Game-
Maholm-Outstanding and really improving, 6 innings plus in 6 of his last 7 starts. Pirates starters are beginning to show some life.
Pirates Notes-
Team won 2 of 3 in this series….Postgame, team optioned C Ronny Paulino to Triple A Indianapolis to make room for C Ryan Doumit.(.350,5 hr,15 rbi) GREAT NEWS!!!!…Team just finished 22 game stretch vs the Central, going 11-11… SS Jack Wilson had 2 hits to lead the club
Next Game-
4 game series with Arizona Diamondbacks at PNC Park
Friday-7:05
Pirates RH Ian Snell(2-5,5.94) vs Dbacks Brandon Webb(10-2,2.69)
