Bucs take one from Reds

Welcome back Freddy Sanchez!

Defending NL batting champion Freddy Sanchez returned to the lineup yesterday, going 2-for-4 at the plate. He scored a run and drove one in. He hit leadoff, with Chris Duffy getting the day off and Brad Eldred getting the start in right field. I don't know about the rest of you, but I liked this lineup.

The Pirates didn't score until the fourth inning, but that didn't matter. Zach Duke was on his game and held the Reds down, not allowing a run until the seventh inning when it started to slip away. The bullpen came in and closed the door the rest of the way, however.

To me, the biggest highlight of the game came in the eighth inning. An opposite field home run off the bat of Eldred. Add to that his RBI double in the fourth and man am I glad he proved me wrong by making the team. Hopefully he can work out in the outfield. If so, he's a big-time steal.

Recap - Box Score

Stars of the game:

1 Star - Freddy Sanchez (Welcome back with a 2-for-4 at the plate.)
2 Stars - Zach Duke (Very nice performance until the seventh inning.)
3 STARS - Brad Eldred (Home run, two-run double. Big Country showin' the power.)