CHRISTOPHER PANSINO – OVATHLETICS.COM
Yesterday was a big night for the top three batters in the Pirates order. The combined offense of Andrew McCutchen, Neil Walker, and Ryan Doumit scored and drove in all six run in last nights 6-3 win over the San Francisco Giants.
The trio all had gigantic nights and carried the team single handily on their backs.
Ryan Doumit would score McCutchen on a sacrifice fly to take the 1-0 lead in the first inning. He would go one to score four runs including a two run homer in the third and a ground rule double that scored Walker in the fourth. He would finish 2 for 3 with 4 RBIs.
Walker tippled in the second to score McCutchen and add to the lead. Walker would also go 2 for 3 with the loan RBI, but would prove instrumental, as he would score in two of this plate appearances.
McCutchen would have the best night hitting overall finishing 4 of 5 and would cap out the early 6-0 lead for the Pirates in the fourth after hitting a lead off homer.
Giant’s starter Todd Wellemeyer would give up all six of the Pirates runs last night. He would be taken from the game in the fourth after allowing the McCutchen homerun.
Manager John Russell who has been playing with the lineup nearly every day might have found his lead off combination. While nothing is set in stone, especially for Russell, this could prove to be a solid combination for the Pirates going forward.
Starting pitcher Paul Maholm had more than enough run support tonight, allowing only two run in his 6 and 1/3 innings to earn his fourth win of the season.
Pirates will reload for their Sunday afternoon finally with the Giants, hopefully with similar offensive results.
