by Zane Heiple
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Photo By AP |
While the rest of us were enjoying a day off from work, Mother Nature was working as she delayed the start to today’s game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros. Even when the game did start rain was present throughout the contest. James McDonald handled the weather and Astros fairly well this afternoon as he would go 7.1 innings allowing one run on three hits, with three walks and six strikeouts as he picked his ninth win on the season today. The seven plus inning of work was the longest of the year for McDonald.
Pittsburgh would rally in the fourth inning. With one out and runners on first and second, Ryan Doumit would double to centerfield, scoring Andrew McCutchen from second base. Josh Harrison would continue swinging a hot bat with a single to center, which brought home Derrek Lee. The Pirates would add an insurance run in the eighth inning off the bat of Lee, who when healthy and in a Buccos uniform seems to be a source of power that this lineup desperately needs. It will be interesting to see if Pittsburgh management will make Lee an offer to remain with the Pirates in 2012.
Record vs. Astros: 10-6
Record vs. N.L. Central: 34-35
Record at PNC Park: 32-38
Overall Record: 65-76
As Always…