Game 43 Recap-
CF Nate McLouth continued his break thru season with a huge 2 run homer in the top of the ninth inning to help the Pittsburgh Pirates rally to beat the Chicago Cubs, 7-6 Saturday at Wrigley Field in Chicago. McLouth’s heroics upstaged another great peformance by Cubs LF Alfonso Soriano, who was 5 for 5 with 2 homers plus 3 runs & rbis.
In a game that featured 2 strong young starting pitchers in Pirates LHP Zach Duke and Cubs RH Carlos Zambrano, runs came early and often, neither starter had their “A” game. Zambrano lasted 4 + innings, allowing 7 hits and 5 runs(4 earned) with 3 walks and strikeouts. He gave up single runs in the 2nd(SS Brian Bixler rbi single) and 4th(3b Doug Mientkiewicz run scoring single) until the Pirates erupted for 3 in the 5th. McLouth and 1b Adam Laroche plated runs with singles, chasing Zambrano . RF Xavier Nady’ sacrifice fly made it 5-4 Pittsburgh.
Duke was a bit more effective, however he could not get Soriano out and that produced 4 runs for the Cubs. CF Reed Johnson’s rbi single in the 2nd tied the game, Soriano followed with his 1st homer with a runner on for a 3-1 lead. His 2nd homer in the 4th made it 4-2 Chicago. Duke worked into the 7th( 6 1/3 innings) allowing 8 hits and 4 runs with 1 walk and 4 Ks. RH RP Tyler Yates was greeted by Soriano’s 2nd homer in the 7th and we had a new ball game at 5-5.
McLouth’s homer was obviously huge, but that at bat became big because 2b Freddy Sanchez hustled and beat out a infield hit barely at first base. McLouth then took a fastball from RH Carlos Marmol(13 consecutive scoreless innings,1.67 era) into the seats in right for his 12th homer. Closer Matt Capps(2.75 era) got 2 quick outs and kept Soriano in the park(ground rule double!), getting 1b Derek Lee to fly out for the final out and Pirates victory.
Star of the Game-
Soriano- In a losing effort, a man against boys… WOW
Pirates Notes-
Team had lost 10 in a row to the Cubs, including 7 games in 2008… Capps is 10 for 10 in save situations
Next Game-
Sunday- 2:20- Wrigley Field, Chicago
Pirates LH Phil Dumatrait(1-1) vs Cubs RH Jason Marquis(1-3)
