Josh Tomlin was sharp in limiting the Pirates to just one run. Pittsburgh’s four game winning streak was halted in the opening game of an interleague series in Cleveland.
Kevin Correia was also good, but was undone by some oddness and a long ball. Cleveland scored once in the third and was aided by an error and a balk. Matt LaPorta’s liner was deflected by Ronny Cedeno toward Neil Walker. The throw from Walker to first skipped past Lyle Overbay and LaPorta was safe at second. LaPorta was retired on a fielder’s choice grounder from Orlando Cabrera. LaPorta was injured on the play and left the game. Jack Hannahan singled and Grady Sizemore walked to load the bases. Correia retired Michael Brantley before balking in the game’s first run.
Cleveland catcher Carlos Santana hit a solo dinger in the next inning to make it 2-0.
The Pirates had only two hits and not runs by the time they scored their lone run in the sixth. Xavier Paul’s single scored Cedeno who had doubled. But Paul was gunned down trying to go for two.
Correia ran into trouble in the sixth. Asdrubal Cabrera doubled with one out but was caught stealing. But Cleveland loaded the bases courtesy of two walks and a single. Correia was lifted for Chris Resop who got out of the jam.
Daniel Moskos was lit up in the eighth. He gave up two straight singles before yielding a run scoring double to Travis Hafner that was nearly over the yellow line for a homer. He was pulled and Tim Wood allowed two of the three inherited base runners to score in getting the three outs to end the frame.
Correia gave up two runs – one earned in 5-2/3 innings. He gave up four hits and three walks. He struck out two. Tomlin allowed the only Pirate run of the game in 6-2/3 innings of work. He walked none and gave up six hits. He whiffed five PiratesTony Sipp got three outs in the ninth to end it.
The Good
Correia got the job done and kept it close.
Garrett Jones had two hits.
The Bad
Moskos got roughed up in the eighth, putting the game out of reach.
The offense (again).
The Rest
Josh Tomlin is unrelated to former Pirate pitchers Randy Tomlin and Dave Tomlin. There have been three Tomlins to have made the Major Leagues and all three have been pitchers.
This was Tomlin’s first career appearance against the Pirates. Correia had not pitched against the Tribe before this game.
Overbay is in a 1-19 slump.
Bucs came into the game 14th in the National League in runs scored per game.
