Yesterday's 17-3 drubbing seems like a distant memory after tonight.
The Pirates ended their 7 game losing streak tonight with a come from behind victory over the Brewers.
Jeff Karstens was a breath of fresh air for the Pirates pitching staff going 6.2 innings, scattering 6 hits and 4 walks allowing only 2 runs. The walk total seems a bit high, but his command was better than the line indicates as Sam Holbrook was inconsistent in calling the knee high fastball away from left handed hitters. Karstens departed in the 7th with the score tied at 2 following a George Kottaras home run to lead off the inning.
Javier Lopez, the team's LOOGY was summoned to face Prince Fielder in the bottom of the 8th and quickly gave up a massive home run to centerfield. Employing a pitcher who is effective against only one type of hitter is a luxury that I don't feel a team like the Pirates can afford. It's one thing if you're in the American League with fewer pitching changes, and have a team with starters that can last deeper into the game, but I feel a LOOGY severely limits any team's bullpen flexibility, especially the Pirates.
Brendan Donnelly, who recorded the final 2 outs of the 8th earned the win following a tremendous rally in the 9th inning against Trevor Hoffman.
In a controversial move, John Russell sent Ronny Cedeno and his .242/.266/.339 batting line to the plate instead of left handed hitting Ryan Church. Cedeno then homered deep to left field igniting the Pirates' rally. I still would have pinch hit with Church, but the move worked tonight.
Following an Andrew McCutchen strike out, Andy LaRoche drilled a base hit to left for his fourth hit in the game - his second four hit game in his last three, and Lastings Milledge doubled to left field. After a Garrett Jones walk, Ryan Doumit broke out of his power slump with a massive grand slam to right field.
DJ Carrasco worked a tidy ninth to end the 7-game losing skid.
The good:
Jeff Karstens
6.2 IP 2 ER. A fine effort that gave the bullpen a much needed rest.
Jeff Clement
A 3 hit night, 3 against a tough left hander including a double to center, a towering home run to right field, and a sharp base hit to left. He seems to be turning around his bad luck, after he had a bunch of hard hit balls converted into outs early in the year. I think showing some patience with Clement will pay off as he has a good approach and the guy's power is completely legit.
Ryan Doumit
Following a tough game yesterday both offensively and defensively in yesterday's 17-3 loss, Doumit broke out with a 3 hit night, including the game winning grand slam.
Andy LaRoche
Andy continues to swing a hot bat racking up 4 hits. Hopefully the power will start to come around, but that's just a small nitpick given his torrid hitting streak.
Tomorrow's game time is 1:05 with Paul Maholm (1-2, 4.74 ERA) and Chris Narveson (1-0, 7.20 ERA) the scheduled starters.
The Pirates look to win(!!!) the series at Miller Park before taking on a wounded Dodger team in LA.
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