What is it about Borbons? Julio Borbon hit a go ahead three run homer in the fifth to beat back the Pirates. Pedro Borbon (not related) once pounded on Pirate pitcher Darryl Patterson during a brawl. The beating administered by Borbon included ripping out Patterson’s hair and biting one of his ears.
The Pirates appeared to be in good shape early on. Garrett Jones drove home Neil Walker in the first. In the fourth, Pedro Alvarez scored as the result of a Justin Smoak error. Ross Ohlendorf had retired the first nine Ranger hitters. But in the home half of the fourth, Michael Young hit a solo homer. Ohlendorf would get knocked from the game in the fifth. Borbon’s homer came with two out and two on and put Texas up to stay. After allowing a single and a walk, Ohlendorf was yanked in favor of D.J. Carrasco who put out the fire.
The Pirates tried a come back in the sixth. Ryan Doumit was HBP and then was tossed out at home on a double from Lastings Milledge. Bobby Crosby followed with a double that scored Milledge. But that was all Pittsburgh could muster. The Rangers came back in their half of the inning with a solo homer from Josh Hamilton. Ballgame.
Texas starter Tommy Hunter allowed just two earned runs in six innings. He whiffed six. Despite giving up only five hits, Ohlendorf was assaulted for four runs in 4-2/3. He whiffed just one. Neftali Feliz tossed a scoreless ninth for the save.
The Good
Crosby is making a cased to be the full time SS. He had three hits and knocked in a run.
Jones had a pair of hits.
The Bad
Giving up three homers.
Not drawing a walk.
The Rest
Borbon has two homers in one week after not homering at all prior to that in 2010.
Ohlendorf and Hunter had never faced their opponents before tonight’s contest.
Jones’ hitting streak has reached 12 games. Hamilton has a 17 game hitting streak.
Texas has won 9 straight.
Buc hitters went without a walk for the sixth time this year. That happened eight times in 2009 and 16 times in 2008.
Bucs are 25-45 through 70 games. They were 31-39 at this point in 2009.
