The Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves split a day double header on Monday as the Pirats won the first game 5-0 and then lost the second game 8-1.  The Pirates were outhit in both games, the only difference was starting pitching in the first game was good unlike in the second game.

Zach Duke tossed six innings of five hit ball in the first game to pick up the win.  With the victory Duke is now 2-2 on the season.  Damaso Marte pitched two innings while Sean Burnett pitched one inning to complete the shutout of the Braves.

Freddy Sanchez had a bases loaded double in the fifth inning that got he Pirates on the board and provided all the runs they would end up needed to win.  Adam LaRoche connected on a two run home run in the eighth inning to provide two insurance runs for the Pirates.

Game two was a totally different story for the Pirates however.  They were limited to only five hits once again, but none of the hits were with runners in scoring position etc so they only put one run up on the board.

The only run for the Pirates came in the first inning when Ryan Doumit was safe at first on a error and Doug Mientkiewicz scored.

John Van Benschoten took the loss for the Pirates as he got rocked for nine hits and seven runs in only four innings of action.  Franquelis Osoria pitched the next four innings and gave up one run.

After the double header, the Pirates are now 18-20 on the season.

The Pittsburgh Pirates brought out the whoppin sticks as they beat the San Francisco Giants 12-6 on Tuesday night.  The Pirates hit three home runs in the rout of the Giants.

Nate McLouth connected for two home runs and three RBI to lead the Pirates at the plate.  Adam LaRoche had the other home run and two RBI in the game.  Freddy Sanchez and Xavier Nady also had two RBI each in the game.  Ryan Doumit, Jose Bautista, and Chris Gomez all had one RBI in the game.

Zach Duke picked up his first win of the season as he tossed 7 1/3 innings.  Duke gave up eight hits and three runs in the game.  Sean Burnett pitched 2/3’s of an inning allowed two runs while Matt Capps gave up one run in one inning of action.

It was a good win for the Pirates overall but the pitching staff needs to pitch better and not give up six runs.  Usually if the Pirates give up six runs they are going to lose the ballgame.

Pirates Blog