Sweep | Pirates 5 Astros 4

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 2 games over .500 and only 3 games out of first place in the National League Central. It's June 16th. This is exciting stuff.

Today's game was a pretty crazy one. The Pirates got on the board in a big way early after a 3-run blast from Garrett Jones in the top of the first. James McDonald labored quite a bit in the first but managed to throw up a 0 and then calmed down nicely and put together 2 quick innings after that. McDonald got in more trouble in the 4th, threw a lot of pitches and gave up 2 runs. He followed that inning with another shaky one and allowed the tying run in the 5th.

The Bucs responded quickly by putting 2 more runs on the board in the 6th, all with 2 outs. Andrew McCutchen and Neil Walker singled and Garrett Jones brought in a run on a fielding error by Michael Bourn, although it could have gone as hit as well. Josh Harrison added an insurance run by doubling off the right field wall that could have been brought in Jones as well but he was thrown out at the plate with another questionable call.

After that it was up to the bullpen, and they once again got the job done. Tony Watson entered the game after McDonald and pitched 2 hitless innings, striking out 1 and allowing a walk. The ball was given to Tim Wood in the 8th with 2 outs after Watson allowed a walk, and Wood got an out on one pitch and sent the Pirates to the 9th with a 2-run lead.

Jose Veras entered the game for the save, because Joel Hanrahan had thrown the previous 3 nights. The Pirate community wasn't excited at all to see Veras, and got especially aggravated after he allowed a single to Jason Bourgeois to start the inning. After that, Bourgeois stole second and moved to third on a Michael Bourn ground out. Jeff Keppinger brought the run in with a single which made the fans even more angry with Veras. However, Veras got 2 straight groundouts and got the save after Carlos Lee showed how incredibly slow he is while being thrown out on a ball that Brandon Wood booted.

I want to speak to the criticism of Veras briefly. I should really only have to say one thing, and that's this: The guy has a 3.49 ERA with a .198 batting average against this year. Sure, he's been shaky in some big situations, and has blown a couple of leads, but when you look at his body of work, he's been very good for the Pirates. Also, don't tell me that his numbers only look good because of his hot start to the season, because he has that same 3.50 ERA if you take April out of the equation. Wait, what's that? You're saying that Veras has stunk in big time situations? Oh, that's weird, because hitters are hitting .228 off him in medium and high leverage situations. He hasn't been anywhere near the level of Hanrahan, and I'm not saying he should be the 8th inning guy or anything, but he's taken entirely too much criticism this year. His numbers are good and he's helped the team more than he's hurt them.

That's the end of that schpiel.

Buccos are in Cleveland this weekend and that series starts tomorrow night at 7:05. I'll be at the game, so you'll want to read my tweets @McEffect.

Hop on the bandwagon folks, the Pirates are competitive again.