Daniel McCutchen almost got the win. The Pirates were 9 outs away, clinging to a one run lead. Luis Cruz mishandled an inning ending DP grounder in the 7th, allowing the tying run to score. No decision for McCutchen (6 IP, 5 hits, 2 runs).
In the 9th, LA put their first three runners on base en route to scoring three times off of Matt Capps. At that point, whatever slight breeze that was keeping my sails half empty dissipated entirely. No hope.
But yet, there was. With Jonathan Broxton on in the 9th, the Pirates came all the way back. Andy LaRoche singled in one run. With the bases loaded, Lastings Milledge delivered what should have been a game tying single. But the ball scooted past Andre Ethier and Garrett Jones scored all the way from first with the game winning run. Woo hoo!
That made a winner of Capps and hung Broxton with the loss. Clayton Kershaw made the start for LA and was pulled after four innings as he is coming off a hiatus from pitching due to a separated shoulder.
The Good
Taking at least two of four from LA. Going for the series win tomorrow!
McCutchen pitched well.
Andrew McCutchen had three hits. LaRoche and Milledge each drove in two.
The Bad
The 7th and the 9th defensive half innings.
The Rest
LaRoche had just his fourth multi-RBI game of the second half of the year.
This was Andrew McCutchen sixth game with three or more hits.
This was the fifth time in 2009 that Capps has allowed three or more runs in a single outing. He had just four such incidents in 2007 and 2008 combined.
Pirates need to go 5-3 to avoid a 100 loss season.
