Ross Ohlendorf settled in after allowing a two run bomb to Adrian Gonzalez in the first inning. He pitched into the 8th and gave way after giving up a pinch hit homer leading off the 8th to Edgar Gonzalez.
The Pirates offense worked early off Jake Peavy to erase the 2-0 deficit. Robinson Diaz drove in a pair of runs in the fourth with a two out single. Adam LaRoche hit a three run dinger in the next frame to break the tie.
Freshly recalled Brian Bixler stroked a two run double in the 8th and LaRoche homered again (solo) in the 8th for the final tally.
Ohlendorf gave up just five hits in his 7+ innings. He walked three and whiffed two.
The Good
Ohlendorf’s effort will be accepted all year long. Count me surprised at the early impact of the pitching staff.
Adam LaRoche is not just having a decent April. He’s actually having a good April. I was hoping for something other than a total bust. This is June/July type of production from him.
Don’t look now buy Andy LaRoche’s average is up to .264 after a 2-5 day.
Bucs travel to Milwaukee for three more games to close out April. With today’s win, the Pirates have guaranteed a winning April.
The Bad
Nyjer Morgan was CS for the second time this year.
The Rest
The middle of the Pirates infield included four guys who were not Opening Day starters at those positions- Robinson Diaz (C), Brian Bixler (SS), Ramon Vazquez (2B) and Morgan in CF.
This was the earliest two homer game in the season in LaRoche’s career. He had two dingers for Atlanta on 5/28/06. But he had never cranked two in April.
According to baseball-reference.com, Ohlendorf has been giving up more fly balls than ground balls. Today he retired 15 hitters on grounders and just three on fly balls. That’s good news.
John Grabow finished with two innings of work. It was his longest outing since 7/27/08, also against San Diego.
