Game 154 Recap-
Veteran LH Randy Wolf(11-12,4.46) beat the Pirates for the 2nd time in 10 days, while RF Hunter Pence added 2 hits and 3 rbi, to help Houston defeat Pittsburgh 5-1 .The Pirates walked 8 batters and managed only 4 hit. 1b Lance Berkman walked 3 times and scored twice for Houston.
Wolf, who has not lost to the Pirates since June 30th, 2000, went 7 strong and allowed only a homer to red hot 1b Adam Laroche in the 4th, he totaled 3 hits and 7 Ks with 1 walks. His mound counterpart, RH Ian Snell(6-12,5.54) did not pitch poorly but was wild. Over 6 innings, he allowed 3 hits and 2 runs( 1 earned) with 3 Ks and 5 HUGE walks. “It’s been a struggle all year for command,” said Snell, who dropped to 6-12 this season with the loss. “I don’t think anyone can pinpoint what it is. It seems like a lot of players have gone through a lot of stuff this year.”
The loss, 4th in 5 games, put the Pirates at 90 losses for the 4th straight seasons and for the 6th time since 2000. “It’s frustrating,” said Manager John Russell, in his first season as manager. “I’m not going to talk about the years before because there’s not much we can do about them. Wins and losses are what we have to start concentrating on.”
Star of the Game-
Wolf-His Manager was appreciative of his performance, “We definitely needed it,” Houston manager Cecil Cooper said about Wolf’s outing. “Randy gave us seven really good innings. He was pretty sharp, really focused. He settled in nicely and kept us in the ballgame. If we can get pitching like that, we’ll be OK.”
Pirates Notes-
The loss dropped the Pirates to 38-41 at home and assured them a losing record at PNC Park for the 7th time in 8 seasons…Steve Pearce was in RF and went 1 for 4… Laroche had 2 hits while All Star CF Nate McLouth had the fourth Pirates hit
Next Game-
Saturday,7:05, Game 2 of 3 game series vs Houston Astros at PNC Park
Pirates RH Jimmy Barthmaier(0-1,27.00,2nd ML start) vs.Houston RH Brian Moehler(11-7,4.33)
