by Zane Heiple
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Photo by AP |
The Pittsburgh Pirates were in need of a total team effort tonight to end the current four game slide that they were on. Tonight’s game was reminiscent of the earlier part of the season where a strong pitching effort was backed by solid defense and a few offense bright spots that put some runs on the board. Everything started with Charlie Morton who was lights out on the mound tonight going six innings allowing only three hits while walking three and striking out five would pick up his tenth win of the year. He was also doing damage at the plate going 2-3 on the night.
Pittsburgh’s bullpen came into the fold during the seventh inning, and the beginning was very shaky. Chris Leroux would give up two hits on eleven pitches and not record an out. He would be replaced by Jason Grilli who would allow one of the inherited runners to score but shut the door to allow the Pirates to carry a two run lead into the eighth.
Even in victory there were a couple of blunders. The first was base running mistakes as Morton and Pedro Ciriaco who were picked off on the base paths. The other was the bullpen struggling over the seventh and eighth innings. These two teams will wrap up their regular season meetings tomorrow at 3:40. The Pirates will send Ross Ohlendorf to the hill as he looks for another good outing heading into 2012. The Diamondbacks will send Wade Miley and his 4.24 ERA to the bump.
Record vs. N.L. West: 13-19
Record on the Road: 35-42
Overall Record 69-86
And…
Let’s Go Bucs!!!