Hey, it is four straight wins. So, not much to complain about. But, here goes…
With Matt Capps unavailable due to much recent use (as reported by Dejan Kovacevic in his pre-game notes), Sean Burnett was called on to protect a one run lead in the 9th. It didn’t happen. Burnett stranded a runner at third in the 8th and then allowed a one run triple to Nick Johnson in the 9th. Johnson would score on a wild pitch two batters later. Tie game. On we go.
The Bucs offense made quick work of Joe Beimel in extras. Adam LaRoche delivered a two run double with two gone to put the Pirates up. Tom Gorzelanny, who had releived Burnett to get the last out in the 9th, worked a scoreless 10th to get the win.
The Good
Gorzo’s first win since…6/24/08
Brandon Moss had his second three RBI game of his career. He drove in the final run with a single and had a two run double that capped a three run first.
Andy LaRoche belted a two run homer in the third that pushed the Pirates lead to 5-0.
The Bad
Starter Jeff Karstens gave up three consecutive run scoring hits with two gone in the sixth to allow the Nats to get within 5-4. He was then pulled in favor of Evan Meek in the 7th. Meek walked three but got out of the inning with help from a DP.
This was Burnett’s first career blown save and would’ve been his first career save.
The Rest
This was the second time the brothers LaRoche had multiple RBIs in the same game. The first time was 9-17-08.
National’s starter Shairon Martis is the first pitcher in the Show to hail from Curacao. The Pirates have strong ties to that island as former Bucs Yurendell DeCaster and Randall Simon and former Bucco minor league hitting instructor Hensley Muelens hail from there.
Along with Beimel, former Pirate pitcher Ron Villone also appeared for Washington. He is unscored upon in 2009. Washington represents his 12th ML team. Back in 2002 he was Pittsburgh’s Opening Day starter.
This is the second straight game that two former Pirate hurlers appeared agains their old team. Both Beimel and Kip Wells chucked it yesterday for Washington. The Reds (with Bronson Arroyo, Mike Lincoln and Arthur Rhodes – who never actually appeared in uni with the Bucs) could also pull the same trick in 2009.
