CHRISTOPHER PANSINO – OVATHLETICS.COM
The Pirates snapped their five-game losing streak with a 2-1 win over the Chicago Cubs yesterday. A game saving stop by Andy LaRoche and a Bobby Crosby game-winning hit were the different in today’s game.
While the Pirates did hit better as a team, they were far from extraordinary either. On the one hand both Garrett Jones and Neil Walker were both 2 for 4 today. Jones had the better day hitting a solo homerun in the sixth and then hitting a double in the eighth to put himself in position for Bobby Crosby pinch-hit RBI single.
However, with the good comes the bad, as Ryan Chruch and Jeff Clement, both hitting around .200, did not get a hit today. Church was 0 for 2, while Clement was 0 for 3 on the day, and both were removed for a pinch hitter before the end of the game. In fact Bobby Crosby was pinch hitting for Clement when he scored the go ahead run in the eighth.
Crosby game winning run came a half inning after Andy LaRoche made an outstanding play to keep the Pirates alive. With Marlon Byrd on third with two outs, Mike Fontenot hit a short hopper down the line. LaRoche charging in on the ball made a backhanded grab at the ball and then made the tough throw to first. The close play beat Fontenot to the bag by a split-second.
LaRoche’s game saving play made up for the fact that he went 0 for 3 and a walk.
Meanwhile starting pitcher Ross Ohlendorf continues to slowly climb back to respectability as he went seven innings allowing three hits and one earned run. Ohlendorf struck out six and walked two on the day, but was looking better with his pitch control.
Ohlendorf would not get the win on the day as he was pulled in the bottom of the seventh for pinch hitter Iwamura. Meek would replace him in the top of the eighth and earn the win, bringing Meek’s record to 3-1.
The Pirates who have won six of seven against the Cubs this season will look to continue their success Tuesday evening at PNC Park.
