Wandy Rodriguez made his second start of the season and didn’t seem to suffer from the hamstring issue that forced him to miss his last start as he threw seven innings of 1-hit ball in a Pirates 6 – 0 victory on Friday night.
Rodriguez didn’t allow a single base-runner until the fourth when he gave up a 1-out single to Jason Heyward. Heyward would quickly be erased, though, as Wandy got Justin Upton to ground into an inning-ending double play to end the inning. “The key was throwing his fastball and locating it in a really good spot all the time” Said Rodriguez. “I threw the pitches that I needed to do it in the different circumstances and did it without fear.”
Rodriguez had not made a start in 11 days since feeling hamstring tightness in his previous start during the Pirates road trip. “I felt a little scared about getting hurt again, but then I just moved on.”
The Pirates, on the other hand, got to Braves starter, Tim Hudson, early and often as they tallied 6 runs on 9 hits against the Braves right-hander. The scoring started in the second when Pedro Alvarez hit a mammoth two-run shot over the Clemente seats and onto the river walk to make it 2 – 0.
Russell Martin would then hit a double and score two batters later when Jose Tabata would do the same. “I really believe the offense, from top to bottom, has the chance to connect really well.” Said manager, Clint Hurdle. “When your 5th and 6th hitters are Alvarez and Martin, compared to where we’ve been in the past, our lineup’s stretched out. Our lineup is deeper than it has since I’ve been here”
The Bucs would then bat around in the 5th to chase Hudson. Tabata (Walk), Snider (Single), and Cutch (Walk) would reach to start the inning. Garrett Jones would then knock in Tabata and Snider with a single to make it 5 – 0. Cutch would score 4 batters later on a John McDonald strikeout/wild pitch for the final run.
Mark Melancon and Vin Mazzaro threw another 6 up/ 6 down 8th and 9th for the back end of the bullpen to close things out and even the 4-game series at a game apiece. Final Score: Pirates 6, Braves 0.
These two will be back at it tomorrow night at 7:05 for game 3 of 4 in the series.
Starters Lines:
Rodriguez (W, 2 – 0) 7 IN, 1 H, 5 K’s. 82 Pitches (55 Strikes)
Hudson (L, 2 – 1) 4+ IN, 9 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 2 K’s, 1 HR. 85 Pitches (55 Strikes)
Tomorrow’s Starters:
(PIT) James McDonald RHP (1 – 2, 5.27 ERA)
(ATL) Paul Maholm LHP (3 – 0, 0.00 ERA)
