This may be more about the Pirates ability to close the door. According to the Pirates announcers the previous day the Pirates had a lead heading into the ninth and blew that one. Deja vu for the Pirate faithful, who saw their team extend their early lead to three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. All they head to do was close the door.
Offense
The bats didn't come alive until the ninth inning; I guess better late than never. Travis Buck and Marwin Gonzalez were the only two Astro to reach multiple times. Gonzalez on two walks and Buck on one hit and a walk. Scott Moore was the hero in this one. After Gonzalez and Brian Bixler walked he smacked a three run home run to tie the game at four. The Astros would get the winning run in the 10th. Buck and Gonzalez would walk and then Bixler after failed bunt attempts hit into what would of been a double play only the fielder missed it and Buck was allowed to score. Overall the offense scored five runs on four hits and five walks.
Pitching
Kyle Weiland struggled early giving up two runs in the first inning but settled in to go five innings total. He allowed two runs on six hits and two walks. Wesley Wright and Fernando Rodriguez followed with a shutout sixth and seventh inning. David Carpenter ran into some trouble in eighth giving up two runs on a walk and two hits. Rhiner Cruz had another shutout inning striking out two and walking two, but looked hittable. Enerio del Rosario would finish the game with a shutout 10th. Overall the pitching allowed 10 hits and five walks and probably should of given up more runs.
Defense
This being on television actually did provide us with some highlights. Matt Downs had a nice pick at third while blowing a bubble and J.D. Martinez made a nice diving in left field. No errors were issued to the Astros.
Sunday
12:05 p.m. CST at Atlanta Braves. It will only be available on MLB.TV.