It is tough to win when only two runs are scored over the course of three games. Combine some good pitching with some lackluster hitting and that is what you get. You also get a three game sweep from St. Louis and the much disliked Tony LaRussa.
Adam Wainwright gave up a second inning RBI single to Ronny Cedeno and that was all. He went seven innings and gave up six hits and no walks. He struck out five Pirates.
Zach Duke allowed St. Louis to tie the score in the third. Brendan Ryan doubled and moved to third on a ground ball out from Wainwright. Aaron Miles delivered a sac fly for the tying tally. Two innings later it got ugly and Wainwright was in the middle of it. Colby Rasmus doubled. Ryan reached on a bunt single. Wainwright’s single scored Rasmus with the go ahead run. Miles singled in another run. After Felipe Lopez hit into a double play, John Jay kept the rally going with an RBI singled. Albert Pujols capped the scoring with a two run homer.
St. Louis piled on three runs in the 8th off of Steven Jackson. Matt Holliday hit an inside-the-park homer. Miles had his third RBI of the game with a single and Randy Winn was walked with the bases loaded.
Duke went five innings and gave up six runs on seven hits. He struck out one. Mitchell Boggs gave up three singles in the 9th to load the bases, but Andrew McCutchen hit into a double play to end the game.
The Good
Argenis Diaz had his first career hit.
Jeff Clement has two hits in two at bats since being recalled.
Jose Tabata extended his hitting streak with a pair of singles.
The Bad
Getting swept and getting clobbered.
Just two runs over the weekend series with St. Louis.
The Rest
Wainwright is now 7-2 against Pittsburgh. Duke falls to 4-6 against the Red Birds.
This was the first time in 2010 that Miles drove in more than one runs.
Pujols has four career homers against Duke.
Ryan came into the series hitting .198 and had seven hits over the three games.
