Game 32 Recap-
The Pittsburgh Pirates rode a solid performance from LH SP Zach Duke(4.60 era) and banged out 12 runs and 14 hits to beat the San Francisco Giants 12-6 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. CF Nate McLouth moved down in the order to help produce more runs with his red hot season, flip flopped with 2b Fredd Sanchez(took over the lead off spot) in the batting order and responded in the 2 hole with 2 homers. The offensively challenged Pirates had 4 multiple run innings and put pressure on the Giants all night.
As great as the offense was, LH SP Zach Duke pitched well and got the team to the 8th inning. Over 7 1/3 innings, he allowed 8 hits and 3 runs while walking and striking out 3. His mound counterpart, LH Jonathan Sanchez(4.74 era), avoided trouble til the 3rd inning. He worked 4 1/3 innings, 6 hits, 7 runs and walked 3 while k-ing 4. He gave up homers to McLouth and 1b Adam Laroche.
The Pirates jumped on Sanchez in the 3rd with Sanchez driving in a run with a single abd McLouth following with a homer to right to make it 3-0. Laroche’s 2 run shot in the 4th made it 5-0. Consecutive rbi doubles in the 5th by C Ryan Doumit and RF Xavier Nady had the margin at 8-0. McLouth’s 2nd homer in the 6th put the Pirates lead at 9. San Francisco responded with a single run in the 7th.
Pittsburgh added 3 runs in the 7th with some bottom of the lineup offense. 3b Jose Bautista doubled for a run, super sub SS Chris Gomez and Sanchez singled in runs for a 12-1 score. The Giants scored 5 runs in the 8th when Duke tired and was relieved by recent Triple A call up, LH Sean Burnett. Closer Matt Capps got a inning of work in a non save situation and gave up a meaningless run in the 9th.
Star of the Game-
Sanchez and McLouth— combined for 4 runs, 6 hits, 5 rbi— not bad lineup switches by manager John Russell!
Pirates Notes-
Pittsburgh had lost 3 of 4 and 7 of 10…Giants SP Sanchez complained about the PNC Park mound after the game, claiming it was the worst mound he ever pitched on
Next Game-
Wednesday-
7:05 PNC Park-Pittsburgh
Pirates LH SP Phil Dumatrait(0-1) vs Giants LH Barry Zito(0-6)
