After scoring a total of 1 run in the Reds series, the Pirates showed some life today in their first game against the Cubs. They banged out 16 hits and scored 10 runs.
Half of our runs were scored by Andrew McCutchen, who had a career day. He went 5 for 5 at the plate while scoring (an unheard of) 5 runs, driving in 2, hitting his 5th home run of the year, and stealing 2 bases. McCutchen wasn't the only Pirate who had a big day, Garrett Jones had 5 hits of his own while homering and driving in 5. McCutchen raised his average from .310 to .336 and Jones brought his average from .235 to .264, amazing what a 5-hit day can do for you.
On the negative side, while everyone else on the team was looking good at the plate, Akinori Iwamura continued to struggle. It would seem impossible that anybody could go 0 for 6 in this kind of game, but that is exactly what he did. He struck out twice and lowered his average to .161 on the season, I think it's time to move him down in the batting order. It amazes me that a 3 hitter such as McCutchen could collect 5 hits in a game and only drive in 2 runs, one of which being himself on the home run. That itself shows that the guys in front of him aren't doing their job. Andy LaRoche has been okay in the 2-hole, his average is at .282 which is alright, but Iwamura has done nothing at all to show that he deserves to be a lead off hitter for this team.
On the pitching side of the game, Brian Burres looked more like Brian Burres today, giving up 6 runs (5 earned) in 4 innings. The Cubs got 7 hits off of him, drawing 2 walks and striking out only twice. The bullpen, however, was outstanding once again. DJ Carrasco, Evan Meek, Joel Hanrahan, and Octavio Dotel combined to throw up 5 0's, giving up only 3 hits and striking out 8. They are perfect this year protecting leads.
It's a new ballgame tomorrow as the Pirates send Paul Maholm to the hill at 1:05 pm. Let's Go Bucs!
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