Game 24 Recap-
Philadelphia Phillies 8-Pittsburgh Pirates 4
Phillies jumped on struggling veteran Pirates RH Matt Morris with 5 runs in the 1st and knocked him out in the 2nd inning with another run at PNC Park in Pittsburgh Saturday night. The early runs were more than enough for young Phillies RH SP Kyle Kendrick, who worked 7 innings, allowing 7 hits, 4 runs(3 earned) and striking out 2.
Slugging 1b Ryan Howard took Morris deep in the 1st with a 2 run shot. After 2 errors around 2 run scoring singles, it was quickly 5-0 Phillies. Morris’ struggles continued into the 2nd with LF Geoff Jenkins driving in his 2nd run of the game with an rbi single. Manager John Russell summoned long man LH Phil Dumatrait, who stopped the bleeding over 4 innings, allowing only 1 earned run. Morris(cut today) was hit hard over 1 2/3 innings,6 hits, 6 runs(3 earned), 1 walk and striking out a single batter.
The Pirates rallied with 2 runs in the 3rd off of Kendrick. CF Nate McLouth got the 1st run home with an rbi single and 2b Freddy Sanchez knocked him after a double to make it,6-2. The score stayed that way until the Phillies added 2 more runs with back to back doubles by pinch hitting 3b Pedro Feliz and CF Jayson Werth.
Pittsburgh staged a small rally with single runs in the 7th(rbi ground out) and 8th(home run by McLouth) but the Phillies early success was too much to overcome.
Star of the Game-
Phillies 1b Ryan Howard- get the team started with his big 1st inning shot
This needs to change…The Pirates fielding… awful, unearned runs and extended innings. Morris was bad but has little help. Team clearly misses slick fielding SS Jack Wilson as rookie Brian Bixler continues to struggle with 2 more miscues adding to his 5 errors.
Pirates Notes-
RF Xavier Nady extended his 14 game hitting streak with a double… Team made 3 errors,allowing 4 unearned runs
Todays game-
Pirates LH Paul Maholm(1-2) vs Phillies RH Brett Myers(2-1)
