P.J. Walters limited the Pirates to three hits and no runs over seven innings. James McDonald deserved better but took the loss despite giving up just one run in six innings.
Walters gave up a lead off single to Andrew McCutchen to start the game and then didn’t give up another hit until the sixth inning. St. Louis got a solo homer from Allen Craig in the fourth inning. Aaron Miles delivered a two out RBI single off reliever Joe Martinez in the seventh. A throwing error from Garrett Jones opened the door for a two run eighth for St. Louis off Chan Ho Park.
The Pirates finally got something going in the ninth off of Ryan Franklin. Cutch doubled to start the frame. Jose Tabata singled and Neil Walker hit a sac fly. But Franklin got Jones and Pedro Alvarez to end the game.
Walters was the winner. He struck out four and walked one in his seven innings. McDonald whiffed seven and walked none.
The Good
Cutch had two hits and scored the Pirates lone run.
McDonald was good, again.
The Bad
The defense has been porous recently, with two more unearned runs being scored.
The Rest
McDonald previously made four relief appearances against St. Louis. This was his first career start. He is now 1-1 against them. This was Walters’ second career win. He gave up five runs in four innings of relief against Pittsburgh last week.
This was the tenth time this year that Pittsburgh didn’t issue any walks.
Cutch has 94 runs scored and needs to score six times in the final four games to reach 100.
