Bucs Walk-Off In Odd Fashion

     The Bucs pulled off their fifth walk-off win of the season. This time in rare fashion, a Matt Hague HBP with the bases loaded in the ninth to defeat the Cubs 3-2 in front of a packed PNC Park and a semi-national FOX audience.

     Kevin Correia had a shaky start but was able to get out of a couple of rough situations by way of great defense. After retiring the first eight batters he encountered trouble by way of a single and a throwing error. Pedro would save the inning with a barehanded play and throw to gun down Paul Maholm at home. He would allow a run with two out in the fourth and fifth but nothing more. The second major defensive play came in the seventh with Blake Lalli on first and one out. Adrian Cardenas doubled to the right field corner but Lalli would be gunned down at the plate thanks to a perfect relay from Harrison and Walker to Barajas. That would be the last scoring chance the Cubs would have. Brad Lincoln would retire the next four batters and the Hammer would throw a perfect ninth to record his second win of the season.

     The offense again did just enough to win the ballgame. The Pirates again showed that they mostly do their damage in bunches when they put a two-spot up in the third. Tabata led off the inning by HBP, J-Hay would sac bunt him to second and Cutch would get intentionally walked. Pedro would then single in a run and Neil Walker would follow with a sac fly. They would not get on the board again until the bottom of the ninth. Tabata would again lead off the inning with a single and J-Hay would follow with a walk. After a deep fly out from Pedro, Neil Walker would draw a walk setting up the oddest way to walk off with a win that I have ever seen. With a 2-2 count Rafael Dolis threw a 4-seam fastball inside hitting Matt Hague which forced in the winning run.

                                                                       Starters Lines
     Correia: 6 1/3 IN, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K's (1 to Maholm)
     Maholm: 5 IN, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 2 K's

                                                                        Turning Point
     Matt Hague's HBP - Some of us thought Hague would be walked to end it. (also known as Shrimp) I don't think anyone was thinking a hit batsman would end it.

                                                                  Stud/Dud of the Game
     Stud: Cutch - 2-3, 2 singles, 2 walks, 2 stolen bases, run scored.

     Dud: Clint Barmes - 0-4, 2 strikeouts, 5 LOB

                                                                       Final Thoughts
-- In a season that is just over a quarter of the way done the Pirates have walked-off five times by way of a homer, infield hit, two singles, and a Hit By Pitch.


-- Josh Harrison saw his 10-game hit streak snapped. He went 0-3 with a walk and a strikeout.


-- The Buccos will look to get their first series sweep of the year against the Cubs. (1:35 First Pitch, Bedard vs. Garza)


                                                                       This Day in '92
                                                                          L @ SD 6-3
     Dennis Lamp gave up a walk-off 3 run shot in the 10th inning for the loss. (1-1)
     Jose Lind went 2-3 with 2 singles, a sac, and a run scored.
     Andy Van Slyke went 0-3 with an RBI, 2 walks, and 2 stolen bases.