Game 62 Recap-
Dbacks C Chris Snyder hit a game winning home run in the 9th to break a 3-3 deadlock and help Arizona beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 at PNC Park Saturday. Leading off the ninth, Snyder hit a 1-1 change-up into the left-field seats against reliever John Grabow (4-2) for his sixth home run of the season. In the 4th, Snyder missed another possible homer when LF Jason Bay robbed him off a hit.
This was a tough loss for the young Pirates, after being down 3-0 early(3 runs by Dbacks in the 1st) they rallied with single runs in the 3rd,4th and 5th. Positively, veteran LH Tom Gorzelanny(6.83 season era) was solid for the 2nd consecutive start.( 7 innings, 5 hits, 3 runs with 3 walks and 1 strike out) He was touched for 3 in the 1st as 1b Connor Jackson(single), CF Chris Young(double) and 3b Mark Reynolds(sacrifice fly) notched rbi. After that, Tommy G was outstanding and allowed the Pirates to stay in the game.
The Pirates faced a tall order down 3-0 vs one of the better starters in the game in rh Dan Haren(6-4,3.29) but battled and 2 of their tremendous trio of outfielders provided the offense. In the 3rd, CF Nate McLouth doubled home a run for a 3-1 deficit. Bay homered in the 4th to cut the lead to one at 3-2. McLouth then homered to tie in the 5th.
Pittsburgh tried to rally in the 9th vs Arizona closer Brandon Lyon(14 saves,1.44 era). The inning got off to a good start as C Ryan Doumit singled to left. Reserve INF Luis Rivas ran for him and after a Jason Michaels fly out, he was caught stealing by Snyder for a HUGE 2nd out. A walk and fly out by 1b Adam Laroche ended this tough loss for the boys in black and yellow.
Star of the Game-
Snyder- Game winning home run, key caught stealing in the 9th
Pirates Notes-
1b Adam Laroche,struggling at .210, batted 7th and was 1 for 3 with a walk…. Doug Mientkiewicz played 3B today and made 2 errors. PLAY HIM AT 1ST!!!! Gold glove level D, won a world series and can hit better than .210!… McLouth was the only Pirate with multiple hits
Next Game-
Sunday-1:35 vs Arizona,PNC Park
Pirates LH Phil Dumatrait(2-3,3.47) vs Diamondbacks Doug Davis(2-2,3.90)
Something to think about...
Dbacks starter Davis recently had cancer surgery and is a great PR story, pull for him AND the Pirates! One of the good guys in the game…..
