Jon Garland allowed just one hit in six innings and Ryan Ludwick came through with a two run homer in the sixth to help San Diego to a 3-0 victory and a series sweep.
Zach Duke certainly deserved better. It is tough to ask for more from him. He allowed three runs in six innings. He was hurt by a Jon Garland single in the third when Garland scored on Miguel Tejada’s double. Ludwick’s homer in the sixth came with no one out and followed an error from Argenis Diaz. There was only one other inning where San Diego put more than one runner on base.
The Pirates were unable to take advantage of Garland’s wildness. He walked four and hit one batter. Pittsburgh had two men on in the second, third and fourth innings (with a double from Ryan Doumit in the fourth being the only knock), but couldn’t get a clutch hit. Garland retired the final seven hitters he faced.
Luke Gregerson, Joe Thatcher and Heath Bell finished the game. Bell earned another save. Duke walked three, struck out two and gave up six hits. Two of the runs he allowed were earned.
The Good
Duke
Doumit wound up with two hits.
The Bad
The hitting.
The Rest
Garland evened his career mark to 2-2 against Pittsburgh. Duke is 2-3 against San Diego.
Zach Duke has made 20 starts and the Pirates have scored more than four runs in those games just three times.
Pirates are 39-75 through 114 in 2010. The Pirates were 46-68 at this point lat year and didn’t lose their 75th game until game 128. The 82nd loss of 2009 came in game 136.
Do you suppose the Rangers wish they still had Adrian Gonzalez? He had two more hits, giving him six for the three game series.
