Game 88 Recap-
The Pittsburgh Pirates collected 14 hits, while CF Nate McLouth and C Ryan Doumit homered, leading the way in a 10-7 victory over the Houston Astros Monday at PNC Park. The Astros played a 17 inning game Sunday, using 6 relievers for 10 2/3 innings & they needed a big game from starter Runelvys Hernandez(0-3,10.29) and he was not up to the task. Over 4 innings, he allowed 13 hits and 10 runs with 4 walks and 3 strikeouts. “With the bullpen being a little light, we just had to keep sending him out there,” Houston manager Cecil Cooper said. “He had to go. We needed the innings from him. That was the bottom line.”
Pirates LH Phil Dumatrait was not strong in his 1st start since returning from injury. He went 3 1/3 innings while allowing 9 hits & 7 runs with 2 walks and 1 K. RH Denny Bautista stopped the bleeding over 2 2/3 innings to get the win with no base runners and 3 Ks mixed in.
Houston scored 3 in the first via a 2 run shot by LF Carlos Lee and an rbi single from ex Pirate Ty Wigginton. The Pirates scored 4 in their opening frame with 4 rbi singles, including Dumatrait driving in a run! McLouth homered and RF Xavier Nady doubled in a run for a 6-3 lead in the 2nd. Houston rallied for 4 in the 4th with Lee and All Star 1b Lance Berkman having big hits, temporarily taking a 7-6 lead.
Pittsburgh regained the lead with 3 runs in the 4th. Doumit hit a 2 run homer and RP Bautista added the 2nd rbi by the pitchers with an infield hit. SS Jack Wilson added another run after an rbi single to center. RH Tyler Yates(3.68) did not allow a runner over the 7th and 8th with 3 Ks. LH Damaso Marte(3.46) pitched the 9th for his 2nd save & a 10-7 Pirates win.
Star of the Game-
Pirates Notes-
With RHP Ian Snell returning from the DL to start Tuesday, the team will option top prospect OF-1b Steve Pearce back to Triple A…McLouth was picked for the All star game Sunday, very well deserved with a .279-16-57 stat line…1b Adam Laroche, 2b Luis Rivas, RF Jason Bay and Nady all had 2 hits to lead the club
Next Game-
Game 2 of a 3 game series vs the Astros
Tuesday, 7:05 PNC Park
Pirates RH Ian Snell(3-7,5.99) vs Astros RH Brandon Backe(5-9,5.22)
