Game 20 Recap
Pittsburgh Pirates 3-Florida Marlins 2
Pittsburgh Pirates showed some spunk in a lot of ways at PNC Park, coming back with a solid rally and combined it with a strong starting pitching performance for the win. The team had lost 6 straight and a major culprit was starting pitching, Pirates starters carried a 11.38 ERA during the period. LH Paul Maholm stepped up huge tonight and over 6 innings allowed only 4 hits and 1 run, while striking out 6 and walking only 1.
Unfortunately, Maholm’s counterpart, Marlins RH Ricky Nolasco, was matching him. He carried a 1 run led into the 6th with 4 Ks and 2 walks. Florida got a break on out call when CF Nate McLouth was clearly safe at 2b on a steal attempt. The Pirates could have sulked but rallied putting together 4 consecutive hits. 2b Freddy Sanchez and LF Jason Bay hit singles then C Ryan Doumit doubled to make it even at 1. RF Xavier Nady then made it 3-1 with another single.
The Pirates bullpen took over and RH Tyler Yates quickly gave up a homer to Marlins 3b Jorge Cantu(3 hits, 2 rbi) to make it 3-2. Chief set up men LHs Damaso Marte and John Grabow navigated the 8th with incident to get the game to closer Matt Capps. The Marlins made it interesting with a leadoff hit and sacrifice to get the runner to 2nd base. However, Capps struck out the next batter and got tough Florida SS Hanley Ramirez to fly out to end the game.
Star of the Game….LH Paul Maholm– much needed strong starting pitching performance
Store this away—Love this team’s catching platoon— Doumit and Ronny Paulino are not Johnny Bench but both are pros and this position is a major strength. 2 Big hits by Ryan tonight!
Pirates Notes-McLouth’s season starting hitting streak ends at 19 with an 0-2 plus 2 walks.
Next Game-
Wednesday-PNC Park
7:05
Pirates RH Ian Snell(2-1) vs Marlins RH Todd Wellemeyer(2-0)
