CHRISTOPHER PANISNO – OVATHLETICS.COM
After losing the last two games by a combined total of 19-3 something had to be changed in the way the Pirates were playing ball.
And the Pirates did just that as they surprised everyone by starting Zack Duke over Dannel McCutchen yesterday. McCutchen was originally slated for the start, but Pirate Manager John Russell felt that the team would stand a better chance with Duke, especially since Dimonback’s ace Dan Haren pitched yesterday.
The change paid dividends too, as Duke went 7 complete innings, which including 4 hits, 2 earned runs, and 2 strikeouts in the 6-3 win for the Pirates.
Russell shook up the batting order as well, moving Lastings Millage to the third spot on the lineup ahead of Jones and Doumit. This also paid off early as Millage drove in Iwamura on a single in the first inning.
Jeff Clement and Aki Iwamura hit their first home runs of the season. Iwamura’s homer drove in two in the fourth, giving the Pirates a 5-0 advantage.
The new lineup changed gave opposing pitcher Dan Haren trouble as he allowed 9 hits and 6 earned runs though 6 and 2/3 innings.
One concerning note for the Pirates however, as the team racked up two more fielding errors bring their total for the season to 7 and tying them for second worst in the major league. For a team who prided themselves last year with the least number of errors the sloppy fielding this season continues to be a game changer.
The win yesterday puts the Pirates above .500 again and gives them confidence going into Sunday.
