Call this one a game of the unexpected
I didn’t expect it to be 42 degrees with 17 mph winds in St. Louis on Opening Day.
I didn’t expect Adam LaRoche to collect a two hit game until at least six weeks into the season.
I didn’t expect Nyjer Morgan to reach the three hit plateau for the fifth time in his career.
I didn’t expect Jack Wilson to be back as Buccos SS this year. Yet, there he was delivering a game winning three run double.
It wasn’t all sunshine and roses. Okay, there was very little sunshine period. But Andy LaRochoe continued to struggle. He went hitless and committed two of the Pirates three fielding miscues.
Pirate pitchers still have a hard time fooling anyone. The hurlers notched just two whiffs, while Pirate batters were sent packing eleven time.
The offense was mostly silent until the 9th inning. The Pirates collected just seven hits and two runs through eight innings before busting out for four runs in the 9th against rookie closer Jason Motte. John Grabow was the winner in relief of Paul Maholm.
81 more of these and I’ll be happy.
