That headline is a shocker. Dewey defeats Truman. Man bites dog. Things you don’t expect to see in print. But it happened. Zach Duke allowed 8 singles and one run in seven innings against NYM. He was touched in the fifth when the Mets put together two singles, a sac bunt and a sac fly. In the third, he was spared a run when Nate McLouth gunned down Jeremy Reed at the plate.
Jason Jaramillo’s first career tater tied it in the bottom of the fifth. The Pirates had two on with one gone later in the inning when Nyjer Morgan hit into a DP. Morgan didn’t like the call and was tossed from the game. The Bucs forged ahead one inning later off of Johan Santana (6 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K). A Freddy Sanchez single preceded consecutive doubles from McLouth and Andy LaRoche to put the Pirates up 3-1.
That’s where it stayed. John Grabow and Matt Capps contributed a perfect inning of relief to the effort.
The Good
I’m digging the 2009 Zach Duke. His ERA is 2.62.
Sanchez had two more hits, including his 19th double. McLouth had a triple to go with his double.
The Bad
I got nothing.
The Rest
Bucs are 2-0 in June.
This was Santana’s first career loss against the Buccos. His last start was a three hit complete game shutout (8-17-08).
This was Duke’s first win against NYM since 9-17-06.
Sanchez is 18 for his last 38 ABs.
The Pirates were collectively hitting less than .200 against Santana before going 7-18 tonight.
