RECAP - Pirates vs. Cardinals (7/30 DH)



Game 1
Pirates - 2
Cardinals - 1 (11 Innings)

WP - Mazzaro
LP - Siegrist   

The opening game for this Buccos / Red Birds double header certainly did not disappoint.  After McCutchen doubled w/ 2 outs in the 1st and Pedro Alvarez did the same the next at bat, the Pirate led 1-0.  AJ Burnett pitched 7 beautiful innings getting out of several jams along the way.  Since AJ never gets a lot of run support, he was left with a no decision.  This game was full of great defensive plays.  From McCutchen's diving catch in the 1st inning to save a run, Barmes' beautiful double play, or even Cardinal's CF Jay's jumping catch to rob Neil Walker of extra bases and the go ahead run in the 8th inning.  This game came down to pitching, and it was ironic that the game was lost due to the Cardinals reliever, Siegrist, deflecting a "would be" Alex "Elvis" Presley inning ending double play grounder into the hole at short stop allowing Russell Martin to score the game winning run.  A truly exciting game that left all of PNC Park, and "Buc Nation" wondering how in the world the Pirates would top that exciting victory.

Game 2
Pirates - 6
Cardinals - 0

WP - Cumpton
LP - Lyons       

I heard on 93.7 the Fan yesterday that they predicted that Cumpton would HOPEFULLY give the Pirates 5 innings of work in the second game of the double header.  Cumpton not only gave them 5 strong innings, but went a full 7 allowing 0 runs, and only 3 hits.  Cumpton and an all of a sudden "high powered" offense stole the show from the Cardinals as a Andrew McCutchen home run sealed the deal midway through the second part of the double header.  The amazing thing about these Pirates is their defense.  They have held the Cardinals to 3 runs in the last 3 games.  Go ahead and read that again.  3 runs in 3 days.  Absolutely incredible stuff from the pitching staff and the defense.  These Pirates have the look of something special, and how they play out the final 2 games of this series will go a long way to telling us exactly how big a hole they can bury the Cardinals in terms of the NL Central Division Race.

Tuesday Night, was a great night to be a Pirates fan...plain and simple.
Pirates vs. Cardinals - 7/31 - 7:05 - Locke vs. Wainwright (ESPN)
Pirates vs. Cardinals - 8/1 - 7:05 - Morton vs. Kelly (MLB Network)