CHRISTOPHER PANSINO – OVATHLETICS.COM
The Pirates have been riding high on their most recent home stand winning 7 of 9, however they are also a notoriously bad road team at 15-60. So, which one won out in the end? The horrible road record, I’m sad to report.
The Pirates were not able to lift themselves over the hump after getting out to a 4-2 lead. The Pirates bullpen and defense gave up the four runs that made the difference in the game.
Charlie Morton who was having a good start gave up the game tying two runs in the sixth inning. Albert Pujols led of the inning with a single and would score when Matt Holliday homered to left field.
The difference in the game however came in the seventh inning.
With the bases loaded in the inning manager John Russell brought in Andy LaRoche to pinch-hit. LaRoche who had hit just one time in 22 appearances grounded out into an inning ending double play.
The Cardinals proceeded to capitalize in the bottom of the inning scoring the go ahead run. The pitch was left over the heart of the plate for Allen Creig, though it appeared that the Pirates might be able to get out of the inning with two outs. The error by Ronny Cedeno throwing the ball allowed Creig to reach second safely and for Matt Pagnozzi to score from second.
Morton finished with a no-decision. Morton held the Cardinals for two run through five inning, but struggled to keep the game in hand throughout most of his time on the mound.
The Pirates locked up the worse road team in franchise history with the loss Monday. The previous franchise record with an 81-game road schedule was 22.
