Karstens Owns The Stros

     Jeff Karstens pitched eight really strong innings of four hit ball as the Buccos completed the four game sweep of the Astros 2-0.

     Karstens allowed baserunners in the first, second, fourth, fifth, and sixth but none would get past second. He left after the eighth only throwing 8 pitches but didn't come out for the ninth due to his pitch count coming back from the DL. The Hammer would walk the first batter in the ninth but get a DP before walking another. The next batter would fly out to end it.

     The offense didn't do much but it did enough to get the W. They would get on the board in the second when Garrett Jones led off the inning with a double. Casey McGehee would come up next and hit a double himself to make it 1-0. They would get the final run in the third when Karstens would lead off the inning by helping himself with a single. After a Drew Sutton strikeout, Neil Walker would come up and hit a ground-rule double setting up second and third with one out. After a Cutch walk to load the bases, GFJ would hit a sac-fly to make it 2-0. The bases would load up again by way of a McGehee HBP but Pedro would strikeout to end the inning.

     We all knew that the Pirates wouldn't throw up big numbers in the run column every night but when you can throw in that shutdown performance every so often you can win these types of games. That's what separates the contenders from the "Others" (Right ESPN?).

Starters Lines

     Karstens: (W, 2-2) 8 IN, 4 H, 1 BB, 8 K's (1 to Norris)

     Norris: (L, 5-6) 7 IN, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K's 

Turning Point

     Karstens taking the mound. - The only Astros runner to reach second base was Jose Altuve in the first when he led off the game with a single then stole second. No one else would reach second the rest of the night. Dominance.

Stud/Dud of the Game

     Stud: Jeff Karstens - Need I say more?

     Dud: Pedro Alvarez -  0-3, 2 strikeouts, 4 LOB (Incl. bases loaded in the 3rd)

Final Thoughts

     -- This is the first 4 game sweep since 2006 (Brewers) and first 4 game sweep of the Astros since 1979, that year turned out to be a good one. 

     -- Rod Barajas was scratched from the lineup again due to soreness in his knee he injured in St. Louis. He is still day-to-day.

     -- The Pirates are now 10 games over .500 for the first time since '92 when they finished 30 over.

This Day in '92

L vs. CIN 2-1

     Doug Drabek went eight innings allowing two runs on nine hits but got the loss.

     Don Slaught went 1-4 with an RBI single and Gary Redus went 1-3 with a triple.

     Andy Van Slyke went 0-4 with a strikeout and a run scored.