Throughout the young season, I’ve pointed out many times how the Pirates have failed to provide the pitchers with any run support. While Erik Bedard as been the main victim with his 0-4 record, no offensive performance, or lack thereof, could be more upsetting for a pitcher than the one the Pirates starter James McDonald received in the first game of today’s doubleheader.
McDonald pitched six no-hit innings, before surrendering his first hit of the game to Troy Tulowitzki in the top of the seventh following a leadoff walk to Carlos Gonzalez. After the infield single to Tulowitzki, McDonald threw a wild pitch allowing the runners to move into scoring position, and surrendered his first run of the game coming via a sacrifice fly to Jason Giambi following a wild pitch.
He went from a no-hit bid, which would have been the first Pirates no-hitter during a no-hitter since Doc Ellis threw one June 12, 1970 as he was tripping on LSD, to leaving the game surrendering one-hit and one-run, on the hook for the loss.
“I wasn’t really thinking about it,” McDonald said. “In the seventh inning you’re aware of it, but thinking about it pitch-by-pitch? No.”
Pedro Alvarez stepped to the dish in the bottom of the seventh and hit a sole home run, his third of the season. The hit now gives Alvarez five hits and five RBI on the season.
While this was the first time this season that each starter collected a base hit, it wouldn’t be enough as the Rockies added a sacrifice fly of their own in the top of the eighth to give them the 2-1 lead. A lead which they wouldn’t lose.
Despite the nine hits, the Pirates left six men on base spoiling another terrific pitching performance.
“It’s always difficult after a loss,” McDonald said. “It was a hard fought game.
A couple weeks ago, McDonald broke up Matt Cain’s bid for a perfect game. When asked about him breaking up the perfect game and then threatening to throw a no-hitter, McDonald joked something bigger could be in store.
“Maybe it might be telling me to go throw a perfect game or something, I don’t know,” McDonald said smiling.
In the 2-1 defeat, the Pirates tied the MLB record set by the Detroit Tigers in 1943 for not scoring or allowing more than five runs in a game in 17 straight contests.
The Pirates and Rockies will square off in game two of the doubleheader later on today.
Pirates:
Presley 1-4
Tabata 1-4
McCutchen 1-4
Walker 1-4
McGehee 1-4
Alvarez 1-4
Barmes 1-4
McKenry 1-3
McDonald 1-2
Navarro (PH) 0-0
Photo Credits: Getty Images
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