The Pirates dropped their first game since Opening Day to the Los Angeles Dodgers, 2-1. The story of the day was once again, starting pitching.
Kevin Correia started for the Pirates and went six solid innings, allowing one earned run, walking a pair, and giving up four hits. Juan Cruz pitched another very solid outing for the Bucs in the seventh inning, throwing a perfect inning, while striking out two. Jason Grilli pitched the eighth and struck out the first two batters of the inning before allowing a solo homerun up to Andre Ethier, the first earned run the Pirates bullpen has given up this season. Grilli looked mowed down Mark Ellis and Matt Kemp but unfortunately let up the solo shot to Ethier. The starting pitching though these first four games has been fantastic. Erik Bedard, Jeff Karstens, James McDonald, and Kevin Correia have all looked extremely impressive, but the bats have struggled, like you saw today.
On the offensive side, there was not a whole lot going for the Pirates. Casey McGehee tripled to lead off the second inning on a misplayed ball by Matt Kemp, but the Pirates failed to bring him in, with strikeouts by Matt Hague and Neil Walker, while Rod Barajas lined out to end the inning. The Pirates managed to push one across in the seventh inning off of Kershaw, as Matt Hague grounded out to drive Alex Presley in. Presley had two hits and continues to look solid, as McCutchen, McGehee, and Correia picked up the other three hits. Presleys second hit came in the top of the ninth inning which put the tying run on base, before McCutchen grounded into a six-four-three double play to end the ballgame, preserving Javy Guerra third save of the season.
The Pirates offense struggled again today, as it has these first four games of the season. You have to keep in mind the Pirates have faced three Cy Young winners already, but this nine game road trip might turn into a tough one if the Pirates bats continue to hit like they have. Erik Bedard pitches tomorrow for the Bucs at 10:10, as the Pirates look to even up the series.