Bucs take series over D-Backs

     Pedro Alvarez homered and Neil Walker added a Texas leaguer RBI as the Pirates defeated the D-Backs 2-1 to take the 3-game series.

     It seemed like James McDonald would not last long in this afternoon's match-up after giving up a run on two hits and a walk in the first inning. Hurdle had Brad Lincoln warmed up and ready to come in had it not been for J-Mac getting two fly-outs to avoid any farther problems. He would then cruise through the next three innings before getting removed for a pinch-hitter. Lincoln would then come in and pitch three scoreless qualifying him for the win, his fourth of his career. Chris Resop would throw a scoreless eighth and Juan Cruz would throw in the ninth for his second save in as many days while the Hammer is down with a hammy injury.

     The offense wasn't as hot as last night (7 hits, 3 walks), but they did the necessary work in order to get the victory. They had something going in the first after an Alex Presley lead-off walk and stolen base. Clint Barmes (Yes he batted second today) advanced Presley to third on a ground out. Then Cutch would walk making it first and third with one out. Neil Walker then grounded into a double play to end the threat. It was a ball up the middle but due to Cutch running on the play they were set up perfectly for the DP.  Pedro Alvarez broke his 0-19 streak with a two-out solo shot to right in the seventh to tie things at one. They would get more two-out lightning with three singles from Clint Barmes, Cutch, and Neil Walker (RBI) in the eighth to finish the scoring at 2-1.

Pitchers Lines
McDonald : 4 IN, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K's (1 to Hudson)
Lincoln : (W, 1-0) 3 IN, 1 H, 3 BB, 4 K's (1 to Hudson)
Hudson : (L, 1-1) 7 2/3 IN, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K's

Stud/Dud of the game
Stud: Pedro Alvarez 1-3, drew his first walk of the season in the fifth then tied the game with a homer in the seventh. He is half-way to his total from last year (4).
Dud: McGehee, went 0-4 while stranding two base runners.


Turning point
     The Alvarez homer. His shot to right was the first of four hits between the seventh and eighth that plated their two runs.

Final Thoughts
-- Cutch went 2-3 today with a walk boosting his average to .400. Good for fifth in the Majors.

-- Four of the five Pirates wins have come by one run. They are 4-4 in one-run games.

-- The Bucs went 3-6 on the road-trip bringing their record to 5-7. I'll take that considering the pitching they faced and the 0-3 start to the trip.

      The Buccos will have tomorrow off to travel home for a six game homestand starting Friday night against St. Louis. 

This day in 1992
     Zane Smith improved to (3-0) as the Pirates moved to 8-2 with a victory over the Phills 9-2. Smith went 5 innings allowing 2 runs on 7 hits with a walk and 4 strikeouts. Cecil Espy had a pinch-hit, bases-clearing triple while Barry Bonds hit a two-run homer.
     Andy Van Slyke went 2-5 with 2 runs scored.