Game 153 Recap-
Dodgers 1b James Loney finally made the Pirates pay for their wildness, driving in the decisive run in the 12, helping Los Angeles defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates,4-3 Thursday afternoon at PNC Park. The Pirates hurlers walked 11 batters total and Loney’s hit came after Craig Hansen(1-4,6.22) walked the bases full.
The Dodgers stranded 12 runners and saw the gutty Pirates rally twice. But the red hot Dodgers(winners of 15 of 18) maintained their 3.5 game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL West. Their magic number is now 7. Their leader was not short sited about the magnitude of the victory. “This time of year — I know, it’s just a ballgame — but when you start taking them off the schedule, they mean so much more, especially in the position we’re in,” manager Joe Torre said. “To win a game like this on the road, with as many opportunities as we didn’t take advantage of, it was terrific.”
The game featured two excellent young talents in Pirates LH Paul Maholm(9-8,3.68) and Dodgers rookie LH Clayton Kershaw(4-5,4.28). Pirates CF Nate McLouth plated the 1st run with a 1st inning sacrifice fly. Dodgers 2b Blake Dewitt singled in two in the 4th for a 2-1 LA lead. Andy Laroche continued to haunt his old club with a 6th inning rbi single to tie the game at 2-2. Maholm went 7 innings and allowed 3 hits with 3 runs, he walked 6 and K-ed 4.
The teams exchanged runs in the 7th with younsters getting big hits, as Dodgers RF Andre Ether’s infield single put them back in front 3-2. Rookie SS Luis Cruz singled home Nyjer Morgan to tie the game at 3.
Before Loney’s hit, the struggles of Craig Hansen(1-4,7.04) showed again! He recorded one out and has now walked 20 in 15 2/3 innings! He walked the bases full and was tagged with the loss after this tough outing.”He couldn’t get into any rhythm with his fastball or his slider,” Pirates manager John Russell said. “You wish you could harness that because he throws in the high 90s with a slider that drops off the table.”
Star of the Game-
Dodgers plate discipline… 11 walks in a vital September contest vs a very good starting pitcher in Maholm & some solid relievers
Pirates Notes-
Team is one loss away from losing 90 for the 4th consecutive season and 6th time since 2000… Maholm allowed more than 2 earned runs for only the 2nd time in 8 starts… Pirates pen was outstanding, 7 pitchers over 5 innings with only 3 hits allowed with 7 Ks… Morgan was out at the plate trying to score in the 10th on an infield hit
Next Game-
Friday, Start 3 game series vs the Astros at PNC Park
7:05
Pirates RH Ian Snell(6-11,5.69) vs. Astros LH Randy Wolf(10-12,4.58)
