Game 114 Recap-
New Pirates SP RH Jeff Karstens(2-0,0.00) appears to have mastered the National League, since his July 26 trade in the Xavier Nady-Damaso Marte package. He pitched his 2 straight great game-15 scoreless Pirate innings against 1st place teams- carrying a perfect game into the 8th inning, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates to 2-0 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks Wednesday in Phoenix. 2b Freddy Sanchez homered and 1b Doug Mientkiewicz doubled home the other run.
Karstens allowed a clean double in to CF Chris Young in the 8th with 2 outs to lose his perfect game. Do not count his new skipper as one surprised by his new star pitcher,We knew what he was capable of doing,” Pirates manager John Russell said. “We had very good reports on him. The biggest thing is he throws strikes. That’s a great asset for any pitcher.”
A pitcher that appeared to have no role with the win now Yankees, he appears to have been reborn, showed no bitterness and a positive outlook in the move,”But you know, they had to do what they had to do there,” Karstens said. “They’re doing something else here in Pittsburgh, where they’re trying to get younger and refocus and hopefully be like the Rays in a couple of years.”
Future Hall of Famer and LH SP Randy Johnson(9-8,4.24) also pitched well but on the wrong day! He went 7 1/3, allowing 7 hits and the 2 runs with 7 ks. He was upstaged by his former Yankee teammate, who without tremendous stuff throws strikes(72 of 113) with his pitches, he struck out 4 and walked 1.
Star of the Game-
Karstens- Nuff said- that Nady-Marte trade does not look that bad right now— maybe he can DH too!
Pirates Notes-
Chris Gomex got the start at 3b, lead off and had 2 hits…. Raul Chavez caught, giving C Ryan Doumit the day off…Karstens added 2 hits and scored the games 2nd run… Gomez,Mientkiewicz and Karstens led the team with 2 hits apiece
Next Game-
Day off Thursday…
Start a 3 series at the Phillies Friday, 7:05
Pirates LH Paul Maholm(7-7,3.95) vs Phillies RH Joe Blanton(6-12,4.94)
