After errors cost the Pirates greatly in their series opener against their cross-state rivals the Phillies, the Pirates were hoping to rebound in a big way with Erik Bedard on the bump. Unfortunately for Bedard and the Pirates, they were once again unable to capitalize in key moments of the game as they would lose their third game in a row, 5-4.
The Phillies wasted no time as Carlos Ruiz, the National League’s leading hitter, drove in Hunter Pence with an RBI single following Pence’s triple. Working their way out of it, Michael McKenry, who is filling in for the injured Rod Barajas, lifted a sacrifice fly to score Pedro Alvarez and tie the game up in the second inning.
After Placido Polanco broke the tie in the bottom half of the second, former Pirate Ty Wiggington struck in a big way against his former team by taking a 3-2 change up by Bedard over the left field fence.
The Pirates pulled one run closer in the sixth inning, as Casey McGehee drove in Andrew McCutchen following his double. But the real opportunity that presented itself came in the seventh inning.
Following a Clint Barmes walk (gasp) and a McKenry single, newly acquired utility player Drew Sutton came up to bat in his Pirates’ debut. Sutton, who was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays following an 18-hour stint as a Pirate earlier this year, doubled down the left field line scoring Barmes and putting two runners in scoring position. Following his double, the whole Pirates’ dugout came up to the top of the steps and flashed him their customary “Zoltan” sign. Luis Silverio had to explain to him what it meant. But the laughter of the Pirates, would quickly stop.
On a horrible at bat, Jose Tabata lightly grounded back to the pitcher for the first out. Neil Walker stepped to the dish and just missed a double down the right field line. Walker would end up lifting a fly ball to left field which prompted Nick Leyva to send McKenry. John Mayberry Jr. came up with a rocket as Ruiz would tag McKenry out at the dish, although replay showed McKenry was safe.
The Pirates missed another opportunity in the eighth as McCutchen led off the inning with a double. A failed bunt attempt, a popup and a strikeout later, they were unable to capitalize.
Ruiz would add an insurance run in the eighth inning as he would hit a solo homer as an explanation point that would turn out to be much needed as McKenry would hit a solo homer of his own in the ninth.
Looking back at the game, the question is, should the Pirates have sent McKenry in the seventh with McCutchen on deck? Being lost in the decision is the fact that McKenry was actually safe. Secondly, it wasn’t Barajas at third and McKenry can run decently for a catcher. Even more important, is the fact that if McCutchen had come to the plate, he would be walk nine times out of ten with first base open. With a struggling offense, you have to take the chance to score when you have it.
Looking to bounce back and salvage a series split, the Pirates will send James McDonald to the mound who is looking to continue to state his claim for the All-Star game. Taking the mound for the Phillies at this time is unknown.
Photo Credits: Associated Press
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