Game 33 Recap-
Pittsburgh Pirates 3- San Francisco Giants 1-
PNC Park-Pittsburgh
On a night when struggling Giants veteran LH Barry Zito made his return to the rotation, he was upstaged by a guy looking for his 1st career ML victory. Pirates LH SP Phil Dumatrait, making his 2nd start for Pittsburgh since replacing released Matt Morris, was the story, giving the team 5 2/3 innings of 3 hit ball, he allowed 3 walks and struck out 5. For his trouble, this former 1st round draft pick(2000 with the Red Sox) earned his 1st major league win.
Not much offense for either club and the Pirates continued to move some pieces around the batting order. 2b Freddy Sanchez stayed in the lead off spot, followed by 3b Jose Bautista, red hot CF Nate McLouth, LF Jason Bay, RF Xavier Nady and 1b Adam Laroche. Back up C Ronny Paulino and rookie SS Brian Bixler manned the 7th and 8th spots in front of the pitcher.
Zito was very effective and kept the Pirates off bay for most of his appearance. He looked healthy and got a lot of swings and misses and Giants fans should be encouraged by his performance. Over 5 innings, he allowed 5 hits and 2 runs while walking 2 and striking out 5. His one mistake was a 2 run homer to Nady with a runner on in the 4th.
Dumatrait was outstanding and has allowed 1 run since moving into the rotation over 9 2/3 innings. The lefty was emotional after the game and Pittsburgh Manager John Russell summed it up best when he said “I thought he was great.” The Pirates bullpen middle men came up huge as RH Tyler Yates(1 1/3,1h,1k) and LH Damaso Marte(1 IP, 3 Ks) kept the Giants offense in a funk.
Nady added another run with a rbi double pla ground out in the 8th. Pittsburgh closer Matt Capps entered the in the 9th and made it interesting. He allowed 3 consecutive singles and a run before a fly out and ground ball double play to end the game and earn his 7th save as well as Dumatrait’s 1st win.
Star of the Game— Dumatrait!!!! Great individual story but also huge team wise as he has helped fill the role of a stabilizer that Morris’ failed at so miserably.
Pirates Notes-
Dumatrait was 0 for 4 with a 15.00 era in 6 starts with the Reds last year….. McLouth hit 3rd for the 3rd time this season
Next Game-
12:35 PNC Park-Pittsburgh
Pirates LH Paul Maholm(2-3) vs Giants RH Matt Cain(1-2)
