CHRISTOPHER PANSINO – OVATHLETICS.COM
The Pirates started a four game series with the Chicago Cubs yesterday at PNC Park. This was the first time these two inter-divisional opponents have met this season.
The Pirates were able to stop their three game slide with the help of Paul Maholm. Maholm gave up eight hits though six inning including two homeruns accounting for the Cubs only runs of the game.
Meanwhile the Pirates were still not able to cure their offensive problems Tuesday night, but with the help of two home runs in the first and sixth innings, they were able to escape with the 3-2 win.
Adam LaRoche, who is hitting .395 in the last nine games, hit a solo homerun in his first at bat to give the Pirates the early 1-0 lead.
Then in the sixth with the Pirates down 2-1, Ryan Church was able to come up a two run homer off Dempster to give the Pirates the 3-2 lead. The two run homer was Church’s first as a Pirate and gave them all the runs they needed to win the ball game. A good thing too, as the Pirates are 7-0 when leading after six innings, but are a pathetic 2-15 when they are not.
The Pirate bullpen also threw in a good game despite some trouble with Evan Meek in the seventh inning. Meek struck out two in the inning, but put two Cubs on base early in the inning when he hit Marlon Byrd with a pitch and then walked Aramis Ramirez. Pitching coach Joe Kerrigan had to pay Meek a visit before he settled down enough to finish the inning.
Dotel came in the ninth and picked up his fourth save of the season. Dotel who has struggled at times to shut down opposing batters had no trouble finished the game today.
The Pirates improve to 11-15 with the win Tuesday. Yesterday also marked the sixth game the Pirates have won by a one-run margin.
