CHRISTOPHER PANSINO – OVATHLETICS.COM
The Pirates finished their home half of their season with a big 9-3 win over the Houston Astros. The Pirates at 40-41 fell one game short of pulling off a winning record at home. They also won the final three series in the most recent home stand to post the record. The Pirates matched their home record from 2009.
An error in the sixth inning by Astros catcher Jason Castro changed the course of the game. The Pirates were able to capitalize on the mistake help propel them to the win.
The Pirates were trailing in the sixth inning 1-0, but only because of the great pitching by Paul Maholm who pitched seven innings giving up one run on six hits. In fact it was a bit of a pitcher duel until the Pirates opened up on Astros starter J.A. Happ for two runs.
Happ could have gotten out for the innings if it had not been for Castro’s error that allowed Garrett Jones to score on the fielder’s choice at home. Batter Ronny Cedeno and base runner Pedo Alvarez would to advance during the play.
Andy LaRoche would drive in another run with a sacrifice fly.
The Pirates would then take advantage of Houston’s shaky bullpen racking up seven more runs in the final two innings. The Pirates would face five pitchers in two short innings.
A two run double by Pedro Alvarez highlighted a three run seventh inning. Then in the eighth inning the Pirates added four more insurance runs, with the big moment being Neil Walkers two run RBI double. The hit came just after Astros put Tim Byrdak in with the bases loaded and one out.
The Pirates did allow two runs in the eighth inning off a Hunter Pence homer, his 25th of the season.
Start Paul Maholm remains in the hunt as the only Pirate starter to finish with double digit wins total this season. Maholm, 9-15, has one more opportunity on the road this week to reach the goal.
