The Pirates are on a bit of a mini-roll. Three of four from the Dodgers and now two of three from the Cubs with the final game of the series tomorrow.
Ryan Doumit collected four hits and drove in four runs to back Jeff Karstens and a host of relievers. Doumit hit a two run double that broke a 1-1 tie in the third inning. He later added an RBI single and a solo homer, missing by a triple of the cycle.
Karstens needed 61 pitches to go five innings. He allowed two runs on five hits. He struck out one and whiffed none. He benefited from a couple of double plays behind him. Four relievers combined on four shutout innings of two hit ball to close out the game.
Carlos Zambrano was left with the loss. He was looking for his 10th win, but didn’t find it in the early Fall Chicago evening. He struck out six but gave up six hits and four walks in six innings.
The Good
A sweep and the Bucs have taken five of six for the first time in over a month.
Doumit’s big game.
The Bad
Donnie Veal was wild, getting just one out and walking two. He was rescued when Steven Jackson got a double ply on a line drive from Jake Fox.
The Rest
This was Doumit’s third four RBI game and his first since April of 2009. This was his fifth career four hit game and his first in over a year.
Karstens picked up a win for the first time since 6/10/09.
This was the fourth time in September that Brandon Moss drove in two runs in one game. He had just four games with two RBI heading into September.
This was the 7th time in the last 11 games that Andrew McCutchen collected two or more hits.
Pirates need to go 2-2 to avoid 100 losses.
