Erik Bedard finally got help from the Bucco bats as he pitched five innings of one run ball as the Pirates defeated the hated Braves, 4-2.
The Bucco bullpen of Resop, Cruz, Grilli, and Hanrahan went four strong as well, giving up only a run (Resop in the 6th) the rest of the way. The Hammer got save number four in as many tries striking out the first two batters with his nasty slider before getting Eric Hinske to fly out to deep left to a leaping Jose Tabata at the wall. Before tonight's performance, Bedard was 0-4 with an ERA around 2.50. He gave up only eight runs in his first four appearances but got no offense whatsoever. Where have we seen that before?
After only scoring once last night while squandering a big bases loaded one out chance last night, The Pirate offense took advantage of scoring opportunities against Braves starter Randall Delgado, on way to a four run night. Not a big number but when it comes to the Bucs, that's huge. Alex Presley extended his hit-streak to 12 games with another infield hit (8th this season, T-1st NL) to lead-off the game. Garrett Jones would score him on a sac fly later in the inning to make it 1-0. They would get on the board again in the second. Rod Barajas would get a one-out single and would be advanced by a Bedard sac bunt. Presley and Tabata would then hit back-to-back doubles to make it 3-0. Atlanta would cut it to 3-1 on a Dan Uggla RBI single in the third. Pedro Alvarez would finish the scoring for the Bucs with one of his two doubles to make it 4-1. The Braves would make it 4-2 on a Juan Francisco ground out in the sixth which would be your final score.
These two will be back in action tomorrow afternoon at 1:35. (Correia 1-0, 2.00 ERA v. Hudson 1st Start)
Starters Lines
Bedard: (W, 1-4) 5 IN, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 9 K's (1 to Delgado)
Delgado: (L, 2-2) 4 1/3 IN, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 4 K's
Turning Point
Leading 4-1 in the sixth, Bedard would allow two runners to reach scoring position with one out. He would then strike out Freddie Freeman and Dan Uggla to end the inning and any chance of a Braves comeback.
Stud/Dud of the game
Stud: Erik Bedard - He did everything he needed to do to get win #1 on the season. He threw 92 pitches (62 for strikes) while striking out nine. (2 came with runners in scoring position, see Turning Point above)
Dud: Clint #NotAlwaysSmooth Barmes - 0-4, 2 K's, 3 LOB
Final Thoughts
-- Pedro's 2-4 night bumped his avg. up to a .176. (Both were doubles.) Also, Tabata's 1-5 night keeps him close to the Mendoza line at .200.
-- No Pirates starter has given up more than 3 runs in a start this season. (3 runs 3 times. McDonald, Karstens, Morton)
-- Alex Presley's 12 game active hit-streak is tied for second in the NL and tied for fourth in the Majors.
This day in 1992 - Lost @ Cin 3-2
Doug Drabek gave up 3 runs on 7 hits in 6 innings of work for the Loss.
Steve Buechele (1-4, RBI, R) would hit a homer and Jay Bell (0-3) would hit a sac fly to round out the scoring.
Andy Van Slyke went 0-3 with a walk and 2 strikeouts.
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