Jeff Karstens was yanked from the rotation favor of newly acquired Charlie Morton. Hamstring issues forced Morton from the game after just one inning. In stepped Karstens and he allowed just one run in 4-2/3 to earn the win.
Pirate offense was once again scarce. Adam LaRoche drove in a run with a grounder in the third and another with an infield single in the seventh.
Atlanta’s tallies came on same-inning doubles from Yunel Escobar and Brian McCann in the sixth and a solo homer in the 9th by Garret Anderson off of Matt Capps.
Jair Jurrjens allowed two runs in six innings but took the loss. He allowed four singles and whiffed seven. Capps got the save.
The Good
Nice to see Karstens come through.
Freddy Sanchez had two hits, including another double.
The Bad
Not too much offense. Yet again. But at least it was enough
The Rest
The last Pirate starter to last an inning or less was Tom Gorzelanny on 5-28-09. Of course, his outing was shortened due to ineffectiveness and not an injury.
The last Pirate reliever to toss 4-2/3 or more was Shawn Chacon who went five on 5-17-07 in relief of Tony Armas, Jr.
Despite allowing just 8 earned runs in 23 innings pitched, Jurrjens career mark against Pittsburgh fell to 1-3.
