CHRISTOPHER PANSINO – OVATHLETICS.COM
Paul Maholm, perhaps the Pirates best starter, gave up four runs in the second inning ultimately leading to the 5-3 loss yesterday. The Padre’s sent 8 men to the plate in the inning resulting in 8 hits.
The Pirates were denied a run in the first inning when Jose Tabata was called out at home, despite replay showing that he was clearly safe. The Pirates would score runs later in the ballgame in the fourth inning when Lasting Milledge hit a two run RBI single to shrink the lead to 4-2.
The Pirates would come within a run in the fifth inning after Jose Tabata’s sacrifice RBI narrowed the lead to 4-3, but were unable to tie the game after the Padre’s bullpen took over.
The Padre on the other hand added an insurance run in the seventh after Brendan Donnelly gave up a trio of lead off walks to start the inning.
The Pirates two game losing streak has put quite a damper on what was a strong post-all star break turn around. Though tonight was just one game it puts pressure on the coaches to try to recreate the magic they started a week ago.
