Pirates Bounch Back From Ugly Defeat

Tuesday's 9-3 loss to the Cardinals was pretty hideous. Ian Snell got tagged for 6 earned runs and 9 hits in 4 innings. Aside from Nyjer the Great and Freddy Sanchez, pretty much no offense. Andy LaRoche even dropped a pop up. In that game, the Cardinals looked like the Cardinals and the Pirates looked like what people expect the Pirates to look like. A good team, or in the Pirates' case, a mediocre team, needs to follow up a poor showing with a good one, and that's what happened tonight.

Sanchez and Jack Wilson led a 17 hit attack with 4 hits apiece in the Bucs' 7-4 triumph. Morgan, Brandon Moss and Ryan Doumit added multi-hit games of their own as the Pirates jumped to an early 4-0 lead and were able to hold on for the win. Zach Duke made the start and pitched quite well, allowing 3 runs, 1 of which was earned, in 6 1/3 innings. I really hope this guy can put it back together this year. If he pitches half as well as he did in 2005, the Pirates just might have a decent starting rotation.

A couple areas of concern in this game though. Doumit's defense behind the plate; he had a passed ball and was called for catcher's interference. And one of the three "reliable" relief pitchers, Tyler Yates, was very shaky yet again. Yates faced three batters in the ninth, allowing 2 doubles and a walk. He was fortunate though that Joe Thurston was thrown out trying to stretch his double into a triple. Matt Capps had to come in and save the day. Hopefully Yates can get himself straightened out because the Pirates really need some dependability in the late innings.

Up next, the series finale in St. Louis on Thursday. Ross Ohlendorf makes the start for Pittsburgh. He had a great Spring and I'm hopeful that he can carry it over into the season.