Game 102 Recap-
RH Yoslan Herrera,(1-1,9.75), starred over 6 shut out innings, earned his 1st ML win and the team supported him with 9 runs, helping the Pittsburgh Pirates defeat the San Diego Padres, 9-1 Thursday at PNC Park. The club broke a 3 game losing streak and all 3 starting outfielders(LF Jason Bay, CF Nate McLouth & RF Xavier Nady) hit homers. “I’m very happy,” Herrera said. “There are no words to say. I’m very, very happy to have picked up my first win.”
The Pirates got the support Herrera would need early and added on all game. SD RH Clay Hensley(1-1,5.40) allowed 2 runs in the 1st, C Ryan Doumit doubled in the opening run and Bay hit a sacrifice fly for the 2nd. Bay and Nady homered back to back in the 4th(1st time all season for Pirates). A bases loaded walk and McLouth sac fly made it 6-0.
Herrera was the story from the start, over his 6 innings, he gave up 6 hits with 4 Ks and a walk. “He had command of his pitches,” Pittsburgh manager John Russell said. “It was a clean start for him. He had the first-start jitters, and his second start wasn’t even relevant. Tonight, he looked relaxed.” C Ryan Doumit said he had “great stuff” adding, “We talked before the game about how he needed to use his sinker,” Doumit said. “He used it, it moved a lot, and it kept the other team in check. He’s always had stuff that moved. The key to getting major league hitters out is getting ahead in the count. That’s what he did tonight.”
The Padres scored a single run vs RH Denny Bautista in the 8th via an rbi single from All Star 1b Adrian Gonzalez in the 8th. The Pirates answered with 3 runs with Luis Rivas driving in the 1st run and McLouth’s homer following that for a 9-1 spread. LH Sean Burnett(4.50) pitched the 9th and struck 2 batters including the final out for a solid 9-1 Pirates win.
Star of the Game-
Herrera- Much needed for the team and staff, a great scene with the the Pirates dousing him with water bottles and presenting him with the game ball. “It’s a gift I’m going to keep for the rest of my life,” Herrera said Thursday night through his translator, Pirates bullpen coach Luis Dorante.
Pirates Notes-
Rivas started at SS , going 1 for 4 with a run and rbi(#17)…Doug Mientkiewicz was at 3rd for the 2nd consecutive day and went 2 for 4 with a run
Next Game-
Pirates LH Zach Duke(4-7,4.92) vs Padres RH Cha Seung Baek(2-5,4.94)
