Game 107 Recap-
Down 4-0 early, the Pittsburgh Pirates rallied,led by INF Luis Rivas 3 hits and 3 rbi, to defeat the Colorado Rockies,6-4 Tuesday at PNC Park. “This team never gives up,”Rivas said. “We’re going to work hard the whole way.” The Pirates bullpen pitched 4 shutout innings to support RH SP Yuslan Herrera’s 4 ML start.
The Rockies jumped out early vs Herrera(1-1,9.00) with 3 runs in the 1st, LF Brad Hawpe, 1b Garrett Atkins and 3b Ian Stewart all had run producing hits. Stewart added a run scoring single in the 3rd to make it 4-0. Herrera’s line was solid after his 1st inning struggles, over 5 innings, he allowed 6 hits and 4 runs with 4 walks and a K.
The Pirates rally started in the 3rd vs veteran LH Glendon Rusch(4-3,5.70) when Rivas singled home a run, in the 5th, Rivas tripled in 2 more runs. RH Matt Herges(3-4,4.76,blown save #5) gave up the lead and game in the 6th when 1b Doug Mientkiewicz(double) and PH Chris Gomez(sac fly) produced back to back run scoring plays to make it 5-4 Pittsburgh. LF Jason Bay added a huge insurance run in the 7th with an rbi single.
The redone Pittsburgh bullpen was a huge part of this win, as mentioned previously, the did not allow a run and Manager John Russell did a great job mix and matching his relievers. RH Jason Davis(.000), LH John Grabow(3.19), RH Denny Bautista(3.37), LH Sean Burnett(4.33) and finally, RH Tyler Yates all pitched great and Yates earned his 1st save of the season.
Star of the Game-
Rivas- For a team under .500, the Pirates boast good depth with guys like Rivas, Mientkiewicz, Gomez and Jason Michaels on the pine. “When Luis is called upon to start, he has had some big games,” Pittsburgh manager John Russell said. “He did a great job tonight.”
Pirates Notes-
1b Adam Laroche was placed on the DL with a back injury and the team has recalled SS Brian Bixler… Rivas 3 hits led the team, Bay and McLouth both added 2 hits
Next Game-
Wednesday,7:05, PNC Park
Pirates LH Zach Duke(4-8,5.04) vs Rockies RH Aaron Cook(13-6,3.46)
