Pittsburgh Pirates 3 Houston Astros 2 (April 3, 2007)
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0 commentsThis night belonged to the Pirates young starter Ian Snell. He struck out 9 of the first 13 batters and had 11 Ks total. Overall, he threw 6.0 innings, allowed 4 hits, 2 ER, and 1 HR. His opponent, Jason Jennings had a strong night himself, going 6.0 innings, allowing 1 ER and striking out 7.
Xavier Nady struck early, hitting a monster HR to leftfield in the second inning to give the Pirates a 1-0 lead. It was Nady's 2nd HR in 2 days.
The Astros struck back in the bottom of the 5th with a solo HR of their own, compliments of Jason Lane.
In the bottom of the 6th, Pirates 1B Adam LaRoche recorded his first putout of the game on the first groundout by an Astros hitter. Prior to the groundout, Orlando Palmeiro singled. With two outs and a man on first, the Pirates opted to intentionally walk Lance Berkman. Carlos Lee made Jim Tracy pay, blooping a Texas Leaguer between the 2B and CF to bring in the go-ahead run.
It appeared as if the Pirates offense was going to spoil Snell's great night. Then, in the 8th inning, Jack Wilson laid down a bunt hit to 2B with one out. Jason Bay followed by drawing a walk. After Adam LaRoche lined out to center, C Ronny Paulino came to the plate. He took a borderline pitch, which the crowd wanted to be called a strike, for ball three. Then, he lined a single into leftfield, bringing Jumpin' Jack Flash in to score the tying run. Nady continued his hot start to the season by singling Bay home.
After Matt Capps, who appeared in 85 games last season, threw a perfect eighth, the Pirates failed to expand their lead in the ninth.
Salomon Torres relieved Capps to attempt his 2nd save of the year. He had no troubles, setting down the batters 1-2-3.
Notes:
Leadoff hitter Chris Duffy is hitting .222.
Adam LaRoche has yet to get a hit in a Pirates jersey.
Freddy Sanchez remained inactive.
Craig Biggio went 0-4 in his quest for 3,000 hits.
Mike Lamb had a pinch-hit single in the 7th for Chad Qualls.
Date
April 3, 2007
