Before I get to the synopsis of the game, I know I wrote that I was going to take a couple of days off because of traveling, but I could not pass up such a stirring come from behind victory. Besides, just like people who drink say “It’s 5 o clock somewhere” I can write that it’s morning somewhere. Now to the game.
Final Score: Pirates 9 Dodgers 7
Why The Pirates Won: The bullpen came through after Luis Ortiz had a horrible start. In 3 and 1/3 innings Ortiz gave up 6 runs on 9hits and 1 walk. In the last 5 and 2/3 innings the bullpen game up 1 run and 2 hits while walking 2. The Pirates bats came alive and scored 9 runs including 3 in the 9th to turn a 7-6 deficit into a 9-7 lead. For the game the Pirates had 12 hits to go along with 7 walks. This was a game of missed opportunities for both teams. The Pirates left 10 men on base and the Dodgers 8, going 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position. The Pirates were able to survive giving up 4 home runs to the Dodgers. At the end the Pirates were able to come through and get a win on this road trip that I thought they might not be able to do.
Key Moment Of The Game: The 9th inning saw the Dodger closer, Evan Phillips walked 2 Pirates in a row after striking out Carlos Santana. Jared( I’m The Real Third Basemen Of The Future) Triolo singled to left to drive in the tying run and getting to second on a poor throw by the Dodger centerfielder. Josh(I Know You Just Wish That I Would Go Away) Palacios doubled, down the left field line to drive in runs 8 and 9. He made a base running blunder on the next play just to remind us why we want him to go away. But when you knock in the go ahead runs in the top of the 9th for a victory over the Dodgers all is forgiven.
Next Game: Tonight, Dodgers in Los Angeles. In order to win the last 2 out of 5 games the Pirates have had to score 3 runs in the 9th inning. You can look at this two ways. It’s great that they have been able to do comeback wins and both times against better than average teams. However, if this is what it takes every time just to win a game, then their luck is going to run out. I still don’t see them winning more than 2 games on this road trip but I will gladly be wrong. The starting pitching is going to have to step up, if that is going to happen.
The Goofy Game of Golf/Life Searching for the Answer 