CHRISTOPHER PANSINO – OVATHLETICS.COM
A wild night in Pittsburgh as the Pirates won an offensive battle with the Houston Astros. On a night were the ballpark was sold out for the Fireworks after the game, Pirate fans were treated to some offensive fireworks during the game as well as they won the 12-6 blowout.
The Pirates got off to an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning Garrrett Jones doubled to drive in Jose Tabata. Two batters later Lasting Milledge hit a two run RBI single to score both Walker and Jones.
For a team that averages less than 5 runs per game the three run first inning showed signs of great things to come.
The Pirates were on fire behind the plate combining for 12 runs on 17 hits. The Pirates scored runs in the first, second, fifth, sixth, and eighth innings. Every Pirate except Andrew McCutchen at the top of the lineup and the pitcher spot at the bottom drove in run in this game. In fact between the top and bottom spots of the lineup everyone hit at least .400 ball.
Truly amazing for a team that just yesterday was having trouble driving in even one run.
Even Erik Kratz, a catcher called up from the minors just yesterday, could do no wrong, going 2 for 5 including an RBI and a run scored.
The Pirates were helped out tonight as Houston committed two big errors that cost the team them a combined 5 runs, including three in the first and two runs in the sixth.
However, for every shootout there must be some bad pitching behind it. Starter Ross Olhendorf was no exception giving up four runs in just 1 and 2/3 innings pitched giving Houston a 4-3 lead in the second. D.J. Carrasco came in relief and had a little more success, but also had trouble keeping the Pirates lead allowing two runs in three innings pitching to give the Astros the lead again 6-5 in the fifth. Javire Lopez promptly ended the Houston comeback in the fifth before handing the ball over to the rest of the bullpen in the sixth.
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