CHRISTOPHER PANSINO – OVATHLETICS.COM
I’m not sure a lot can be said about the Pirates 11-1 victory other than it was the first time since the season opener that the Pirates have won in such convincing fashion. After sweeping the series with the Cubs the Pirates have improved to 13-15.
The Pirates had great pitching all around. Staring pitcher Brian Burres pitched seven complete innings giving up only three hits while striking out four and walking three. His replacement in the eighth, Javier Lopez, struggled some giving up the only run of the game, but with an eleven run lead it was hardly a problem. Then in the ninth the Pirates brought in D.J. Carrasco to finish out the game allowing only one hit while striking out two.
Meanwhile on offense, the Pirates dominated the scoreboard from the very first inning. The Pirates scored five runs in the first inning as they batted all the way though the lineup from top to bottom.
Then in the second the Pirates would add two more runs off an RBI double by Garret Jones to make the score 7-0.
Then again in the fourth inning the Pirates would rack up four more runs as they again batted all the way though their lineup to bring the score to 11-0.
And thought the Pirates won by a lopsided 11-1, not a single run came off a home run today. Every inning the Pirates scored in—the first, second, and fourth innings– came on long rallies and good use the sacrifice hit to score runs.
One bad part about yesterday’s game was despite all the hits and runs Iwamura went 0 for 4. Iwamura, who is batting a dismal .194 has been hitless in his last five games, has not had a good game since April 28 when he went 3 for 6 with a walk and a stolen base against Milwaukee.
The Pirates will continue their nine-game home stand with St. Louis on Friday evening. The Cardinals have the best record in the National league despite losing their last three to Philly.
