CHRISTOPHER PANSINO – OVATHLETICS.COM
The Pirate bullpen has been solid all season holding together games. Today however they let one slip thought their fingers as Chicago scored three runs late to avoid the sweep.
The Pirates lost control in the seventh inning after starting pitcher Ross Ohlendorf was taken out of the game. Ohlendorf was doing excellent only allowing one run on four hits and three walks. Despite that he had only thrown a total of 73 pitches, Manager John Russell optioned to remove the right-hander after he gave up a lead off walk to start the inning.
Evan Meek took over after that, but could not hold on to the 3-1 lead. Meek got help from both Andrew McCutchen and Ryan Church, who both had diving catches, but with two outs Meek would throw a wild pitch that would allow a run to score.
Ronny Cedeno would extend the inning after a fielding error would allow Derrek Lee to step to the plate. Lee would belt one to left field that would allow the tying run to score.
The Cubs would take the lead in the next inning some good base running by Alfonso Soriano would put him in position to score. Former Pirate Xavier Nady would pinch hit to bring in Soriano on an RBI single.
The normally reliable bullpen blew Ohlendorf chance to pick up his first win of the season, which is unfortunate as Ohlendorf was looking in the best form of the season.
The Pirates are now 16-21 and will continue their road trip Monday as they start a two game series with Philadelphia.
