Nate McLouth is gone. Long live Nate McLouth.
Andrew McCutchen is up and off to a great start. He had two hits, an RBI, three runs scored and a stolen base as the Pirates offense used a bunch of singles to give Mike Pelfrey an early shower.
McCutchen singled leading off the first, touching off a four run inning. The Pirates scored four more times in the fourth, forcing the Mets to their bullpen. Unfortunately, Bucs starter Ross Ohlendorf wasn’t on. Despite the huge lead, he didn’t last long enough for the win as he was yanked with one out in the fifth.
Pelfrey gave up 8 earned in 3-2/3. Ohlendorf was charged with five runs in 4-1/3. Steven Jackson received the win for two scoreless innings of relief work.
The Good
McCutchen’s start was very nice.
Jason Jaramillo knocked in a career best four runs.
Ramon Vazquez went 4-4.
The bullpen tossed 4-2/3 IP of one hit relief.
The Bad
Ohlendorf’s outing was the classic “hang in there and get the win”. But he couldn’t and didn’t.
Andy LaRoche, who knocked in two runs earlier in the game, left after being plunked on the knee cap. He is questionable for tonight, per the P-G.
The Rest
The list of recent Pirates to collect two or more hits in their debut, like McCutchen did, is varied:
Steve Pearce – 9-1-07
Andy Barkett – 5-28-01
Alex Hernandez – 9-1-00
Abraham Nunez – 8-27-97
Keith Osik – 4-5-96
Jason Kendall – 4-1-96
Sam Khalifa – 6-25-85
R.C. Stevens – 4-15-58
Jaramillo’s four RBI effort gives the Pirates two such contests from catchers in 2009 (Ryan Doumit had the other on 4-11-09). The Bucs had just three such games combined in teh 2006 to 2008 seasons.
This was the seventh four hit game of Vazquez’ career.
The Mets recently acquired former Pirate Emil Brown from San Diego. He appeared as a PH, his first appearance in Pittsburgh since June 28, 2001. Welcome back!
With McLouth gone, Andy LaRoche now leads the active roster in RBI.
