LaRoche Beats Bucs

     Erik Bedard made his first start since experiencing back spasms and gave up three long-balls in a 7-4 loss to the Nationals.

     Bedard gave up four runs over six innings, three from homers to Ian Desmond in the third and back-to-back shots from former Bucco's Adam LaRoche and Xavier Nady in the sixth. The other run came by way of an RBI ground out in the first by Ryan Zimmerman after Bryce Harper tripled. The Pirates were only down one when Evan Meek came in for the seventh. He would go HBP, strikeout, strikeout, walk, walk, then a bases-clearing double by Adam LaRoche before striking out Nady. Not a good first showing after returning from AAA. Jared Hughes would pitch a perfect eighth.

     The offense looked like it had a chance until the Meek implosion due mostly to the play of Josh Harrison. He started the scoring off with an RBI single in the fifth scoring Yamaico Navarro to make it 2-1. He would again cut the Nats lead to one at 4-3 with a two run bomb in the seventh. Casey McGehee would end the scoring in the eighth with a sac fly, scoring Jose Tabata.

Starters Lines
Bedard: (L, 2-5) 6 IN, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 7 K's (1 to Gonzalez)
Gonzalez: (W, 5-1) 7 IN, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 10 K's (2 to Bedard)

Turning Point
     Adam LaRoche's bases-clearing double in the seventh. With the Bucs sticking around, Evan Meek loaded the bases and allowed LaRoche to bust the game open for the Nats.

Stud/Dud of the Game
Stud: Josh Harrison - 2-4, single, homer, 3 RBI's, run scored

Dud: Evan Meek - 1 IN, 1 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K's

Final Thoughts
-- It seems to me that Clint Hurdle is going with guys like Meek and McLouth in big situations because he wants to see them succeed more than use guys like Jared Hughes and Garrett Jones to try to win.

-- Adam LaRoche is now 7 -12 with two doubles, three home runs, and 8 RBI's against the Bucs this season.

--  Many of us on twitter were very aggravated with the lineup for tonight's game, especially the 5-8 hitters. We were right, with the exception of J-Hay.Just a very frustrating game to watch with really no power at the bottom of the lineup.

This Day in '92 - L 10-7 vs. SD
     Bob Walk gave up 7 runs (6 Earned) over 3 1/3 innings in the loss.
     Barry Bonds had 6 RBI's by way of a grand slam, solo shot, and ground out. He also added a single and stolen base in the effort.
     Andy Van Slyke went 2-4 with a single, double, walk, 2 runs scored, and a strikeout.