There have been a couple of consistencies in 2011. The offense has struggled. Combine that with the youth and injuries and we’ve seen a number of additions and subtractions to the roster. Matt Pagnozzi’s appearance made him the 52nd player to don the Bucco jersey in 2011. Ted Lilly allowed four hits and a run in seven innings to negate much of the Pirates run scoring chances. So, it was more of the same.
James McDonald’s day got off to a tough start. Dee Gordon singled leading off the game. But Michael McKenry picked him off. That was the highlight of the frame. Justin Sellers walked and Juan River singled with two away. James Loney hit a three run homer – his second in as many days – to give Pittsburgh a three run deficit.
The Pirates got their lone run in the next inning. Derrek Lee and Ryan Ludwick both walked with no one out. One out later, Josh Harrison doubled into left and Lee scored. But Lilly got Michael McKenry and McDonald to end the threat.
Rivera was in the mix again in the third. Matt Kemp reached on a single and Rivera followed with a homer of his own, giving the Dodgers a 5-1 lead.
McDonald was pulled after three innings as Clint Hurdle used the bullpen generously. Aaron Thompson stranded two runners in the fourth. He was pinch hit for by Matt Pagnozzi in the fifth. Pagnozzi singled and was stranded. Daniel Moskos gave up an RBI singled to Tim Federowicz in the fifth for the final run of the game (unearned as Aaron Miles reached on an error from Brandon Wood). Jared Hughes also stranded two Dodgers in the sixth. Tony Watson gave up a lead off double to Federowicz in the seventh, but he was stranded.
The Pirates last best shot came in the eighth with Nathan Eovaldi on the mound in relief of Lilly. He loaded the bases with one out by giving up singles to Chase d’Arnaud and Andrew McCutchen and then plunking Lee. Kenley Jansen was summoned from the Dodgers bullpen and he whiffed Ludwick and Garrett Jones to end the inning.
McDonald allowed the first five LA runs in three innings. He gave up seven hits – the biggest two of which were dingers – and two walks. He struck out three. Lilly allowed just four hits and a walk in seven innings. He gave up the Pirates lone run and whiffed seven.
The Good
The bullpen allowed just one unearned run in six innings.
The Bad
McDonald failed to get his 10th win.
Bucs struck out ten times.
Ludwick whiffed three times.
Bucs were just 1-10 with runners in scoring position.
The Rest
This was McDonald’s first appearance against his old club. Lilly is now 7-4 against the Pirates in 15 career starts and three relief appearances.
Matt Kemp scored his 100th run and swiped his 40th base. Yep, he’s pretty good.
Federowicz’ RBI as the first of his career.
