Series win over the Reds

These are the games that good teams win. Games where they are outplayed, on the road, against division rivals. Good teams find ways to win these type games. Great teams find ways not to have these type of games very often, but right now I will settle for the hope of being a good team.

The Pirates were out hit 15 to 9. The Pirates blew a lead and committed two costly errors. Yet, the Pirates ended up on top 7 to 6. That is really the extent of the good news except Andrew McCutchen had a hit every time to the plate including a lead off homer. It was a nice game for him, the first real nice game for him all year. The rest was shaky.

Karstens got the start and did what you should expect from him now. Give up a run or two as he goes into the fifth. He collapsed in that fifth inning, but unlike JR last year, Hurdle gave him the quick pull. The Pirates battled back thanks to homers by Garrett Jones and then again thanks to John Bowker's pinch hit double. Hurdle gave Meek a quick yank as well after getting one out and then giving up a hit and a walk. Hanrahan came in and got a double play. Hanrahan then got a couple of outs in the ninth before he exploded throwing a wild pitch and walking a guy after giving up a base hit. The bases were loaded, but the Pirate closer got the big out and thus another save.

The Minor Leagues dropped a couple of 13 inning affairs and won the rest.
The Indianapolis team put up four in the top of the 9th to tie the game after giving up 4 in the bottom of the eighth. Moskos was unable to strand guys on base in the 8th, and allowed another run after an error. Brian Burres had pitched pretty well before that. The Presley got on via and walk Hague tripled, Lambo singled, Harrison singled, Dusty Brown doubled scoring two and was pinch run for by Wimberly with no outs. A sac bunt pushed Wimberly to third. But Jarmillo and Hernandez could not bring him home. Tony Watson gave up a two out homer in the 13th to lose the game.

Bradenton also lost in 13 after leading 4-0 after three. McPhearson went 7 allowing 2 runs. A good night for the youngster. Robbie Grossman had a multi-hit night. Calvin Anderson went deep. Moreno allowed the tying run to score as the bullpen blew it. Jhonathon Ramos pitched well again in relief, but when he was pulled in the 12th the bullpen was done. They gave up the game ending run in the 13th.

West Virginia continues to be a hot bed of greatness as Colton Cain still has yet to give up a run. He pitched great. 6 innings, 5 strikeouts, 1 walk. Kevin Decker pitched a nice 2 innings, and then it was closed out by Beckman. The hit parade included about everyone except Howard oddly enough. Curry was great. Rojas Jr., is back on track with a three hit day. Grovatt had a hit and a couple of walks as he shows good plate discipline. Even Kevin Mort had a multi-hit game. Big 7-0 win.

Altoona put the boots Richmond as Aaron Pribonic overcame a first inning run to get the win and pitch rather well. Brock Holt looks like the second baseman of the future. He had two hits as did Sanchez. Both look good. Dubee fanned two in his inning of work.