(PITTSBURGH) — James McDonald pitched wonderfully recording seven strikeouts until he was done in by two walks and an infield single in the 7th. He was pulled with one out and the bases loaded holding onto a one run lead. Recently recalled Joe Beimel entered and struck out Jay Bruce swinging on a 2-2 count. He gave way to Chris Resop who got Drew Stubbs to ground out ending the inning. Resop stayed in for the 8th and retired the side. Joel Hanrahan came in for the 9th to record his Major League leading 28th save, but only after making things very interesting. After routinely retiring the first two batters, Hanrahan gave up two consecutive singles putting the go-ahead run at first and the tying run at second and Jay Bruce at the plate who promptly grounded out to second.
The Bucs have been successful playing small ball by manufacturing runs by using their speed on the base paths, but in this game, they got caught stealing twice. They were only able to manufacture one run in this game. That lone run was generated by a fielders choice off the bat of Andrew McCutchen in the first inning driving in Josh Harrison who was on 3rd base after Neil Walker extended his hit streak to 13 games on a ground rule double. It was left up to their pitching to carry the day again getting their 3rd shutout since the All-Star Break and their 2nd consecutive one against Cincinnati Reds.
Tomorrow they go for the series sweep by sending out Jeff Karstens who is 2nd in the NL in ERA at 2.34. He was roughed up by the Reds in his lone start against them this season giving up five earned runs in 4 and a third. The Pirates did win the game, 7-6.
Tomorrow’s game has an early afternoon start.
Pittsburgh Innocents 
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