Couldn't have picked a better way to pick up the 1st consecutive wins of the year. Snell looked phenomenal considering he wasn't trying to overpower hitter with his 90 mph fastball. He was working both corners, changed speeds and honestly looked like the pitcher we all expected him to be coming into this year. The Braves really never got anything going, the Buccos turned 4 double plays, 3 inning ender's. If we want to stay above .500, Maholm is going to need at least Snell to keep turning in performances like this. Burnett and Chavez each turned in a hit less inning to close it out.
Andy LaRoche went 3-4 with 2 doubles (Which brought his average to .192), and the game winning R.B.I. for the 2nd consecutive night... please take a moment to let that sink in..
The other star of the day was Craig Monroe, who in his first two at bats hit the ball hard, but right at people delivered two 3-run bombs in consecutive innings in almost identical spots to seal it up. 5 pirates had 2 or more hits, and at least 1 RBI
Notes
- Consecutive Shutouts for the 1st time since 1968
- Doumit had 3 doubles to commemorate his bobble head day
- Nyjer went 0-4, but was picked up by Sanchez and McLouth who each had 2 hits
- Pirates have the lowest team ERA in the majors.. did anyone think that would be ever possible at any point of this season?
- Braves intentionally walked Adam LaRoche (this is still April) in the 7th inning to get to Craig Monroe before his 2nd homer.. what an awful decision.
- Get the brooms for another afternoon game tomorrow.
I've been holding out hope that Craig will have a great season...this would go to support that theory.
ReplyDeleteThe Buccos need a lot of players to have good seasons at the same time, which we've struggled with the past, oh, 16 years or so. Usually, it's Jack with 200+ hits, or Freddy with the batting crown, but never in the same year. We've got Nate coming off the Gold Glove, Freddy and Jack playing like they should and random production from a guy like Monroe. And not to mention the offense and pitching looking consistent in the same season. Fingers crossed that we can keep it up.
Word verification was noses.
ReplyDeleteNice