Final Score: Pirates 9 Angels 3
Why The Pirates Won: They started their best 9 players. Only one starter had a batting average under .200. What’s harder to believe is that 6 starters had an OPS+ over 100. No one on the bench had a batting average over .160. The result was the Pirates’ biggest offensive production of the young season: 9 runs on 18 hits. Eight of the nine starters had at least one hit. They only struck out 6 times. Andrew McCutchen had a big 3-run home run. They added to their lead in the 5th and 9th innings. Barry Falter had an uneven 4 innings, giving up 3 runs on 5 hits. He had to leave the game with lower back tightness. The bullpen continues to shine. They pitched the last 5 innings without giving up a hit, let alone a run. The Pirates did not make an error and made many sparkling plays in the field. This was by far the Pirates’ most complete game.
Key Moments Of The Game: The lineup was the best of the year. I might have some issues with the batting order, but finally, the best team was on the field. In the top of the 4th, McCutchen had a great 7-pitch at-bat. It ended with him blasting a 3-run homer to give the Pirates a 5-1 lead. The Pirates broke the game open in the top of the 9th with 3 runs to take a 9-3 lead. This allowed the Pirates to take Dennis Santana out of the game after he threw only 3 pitches in the bottom of the 8th. The Angels had a chance to make a game of it that inning. Justin Lawrence had walked 2 batters to put runners on 1st and 2nd with two outs. Shelton actually made the move to bring Santana in. He struck out the next batter on 3 pitches.
Next Game: Tonight, Angels in Anaheim. The surprise pitcher of the year, Andrew Heaney, goes for the Pirates tonight. Tommy Pham seemed to injure his ribs making a great catch to end the game last night, which raises concerns about his availability. Other than that, there is no excuse for not starting the same lineup; consistency is key, especially when facing a formidable opponent like the Angels. The Angels are sending another right-hand pitcher to the mound, and it’s crucial for the Pirates to rise to the occasion. I feel this is the true test of whether the Pirates are genuinely interested in winning. I still would like to see McCutchen leading off, as his experience can set the tone for the game, and Cruz back in the 4th spot brings necessary power to the lineup. I will be satisfied if everybody that started last night will start again tonight, allowing the team to build momentum. However, my guess? It won’t happen, and that frustrates me. Damn.
The Goofy Game of Golf/Life Searching for the Answer 