The Pittsburgh Pirates lost game one of a three-game set against the Arizona Diamondbacks, 5-1, at Chase Field on Monday.
The Pirates jumped out to an early lead off the Diamondbacks. With two outs in the first, Andrew McCutchen singled into left and quickly swiped second base for his third of the season. Casey McGehee hit an infield single to short for the club’s 10th of the season, which is tied for most in the Majors. Neil Walker lined a RBI single into center field to plate the first run of the game.
The lead, however, didn’t last long. Aaron Hill took a 0-1 fastball for a bomb to left field off left-hander Erik Bedard to tie the game at 1 in the bottom of the frame.
Bedard allowed two runs on three hits over 5.0 innings. He walked four and struck out three in his third start of the 2012 season.
The lefty didn’t have great command of his fastball. Bedard threw 97 pitches, throwing nearly the same amount of balls (47) as strikes (50). The 33-year-old also worked himself into 10 three-ball counts over his outing. Bedard did see a jump on the radar gun. The lefty’s fastball was hitting 92 mph, which is the highest velocity he’s had so far this season. Bedard has been averaging 88-90 during his first two starts.
Bedard’s second run allowed over his outing came in the 4th inning. He walked back-to-back batters with two outs. Ryan Roberts came through by hitting a RBI single to give the Dbacks a 2-1 lead.
Right-hander Evan Meek came in for relief in the 6th inning and gave up a leadoff hit into center field. Chris Young took a 1-0 pitch for a two-run shot for a line drive homer to left field.
The long ball continued to hurt the Bucs in the 7th inning after Gerardo Parra took the first pitch by righty Chris Resop for a pinch-hit homer to right. It marked the third long ball the club gave up in the 5-1 loss.
After hitting three straight knocks in the first frame, the Pirates scattered just three more over the remainder of the game. They fall to 3-7 on the season after losing game one of the series to the Dbacks.
Game Notes:
- Relief — Evan Meek: IP, 2H, 2R, K, HR; Chris Resop: 2IP, 3H, R, 2K, HR
- Entering game action today — the Bucco bullpen has held opposing batters to a .204 batting average (20-for-98) while striking out 25 batters in 25.1ip and posting a Major League-low 1.78 ERA in the first nine games.
- Also entering today’s action, the Pirates have posted a 2.57 team ERA (77.0ip/22er) in the first nine games and currently rank fifth in the Majors in ERA behind the Nationals (1.99), Rangers (2.30), Mets (2.48) and Phillies (2.55)
Down on the Farm — Infielder Alen Hanson is tied for fourth in all of minor league baseball in hits (19) and is in a four-way tie for the most extra base hits (10). Hanson, who entered the season ranked by Baseball America as the “Fastest Baserunner” in the organization, also leads the South Atlantics league in total bases (38) and ranks fifth with a .404 batting average…He also ranks second in slugging percentage (.809) and is in a three-way tie for most homers (four).
Burnett Rehab Start — Right-hander A.J. Burnett made his third rehab start, this time, however for Triple-A Indianapolis. Burnett’s previous two starts were with High-A Bradenton. Overall, Burnett allowed five runs on seven hits over 4.0 innings. He walked four, struck out none and threw 81 pitches (52 for strikes) The goal for Burnett was 80-85 pitches.
Burnett threw 22 pitches in the first inning. He gave up a leadoff walk after getting ahead on the batter 0-2. A single followed and the first run scored after getting a double play. Burnett then gave up solo- homer to right field before getting out of the frame.
The righty allowed a leadoff walk and stolen base for second straight inning. Two more runs scored on one two hits (single and a double). Burnett didn’t allow a run to score in the third, but allowed a leadoff long ball to start the fourth –the second homer of the outing.
