Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Pirates 3, Astros 2

Recap -- Box Score

Monday night, after the Pirates came back to beat the Astros in the season opener, Ryan Doumit said it best, in a post game interview.


"Dude, that was fun!"


Tuesday night, those words once again rang true. Behind Xavier Nady's second homerun in as many nights and another strong effort from the Pirates bullpen, the Bucs came from behind again to beat the Astros, 3-2, to start the season 2-0.

Ian Snell pitched six strong innings, allowing two runs, both earned, two hits, a walk and striking out 11. Snell was dominant at times, hitting 95 consistently on the gun and mixing in his deadly slider as an out pitch. Snell allowed a Jason Lane homerun and a bloop RBI single from Carlos Lee before giving way to the bullpen. The same bullpen that was air tight last night, locked it down again. Three innings, three hits, no runs and a Salomon Torres save.

Trailing 2-1 in the eighth, Ronny Paulino and Nady both drove in runs off reliever Dan Wheeler to the give the Pirates a 3-2 lead. It was the second straight blown lead for the Astros bullpen.


Nady and Jack Wilson each had two hits for the Bucs. The final game of the series is set for Wednesday in Houston. First pitch is at 8:05 p.m. Tom Gorzelanny goes against Woody Williams. The game will be televised by FSN-Pittsburgh.


Notes: Troubling News for Pirates Prospect Brad Lincoln. The Bucs top pick a year ago had Tommy John shoulder surgery today and will not pitch at all this season. He is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for 2008.


-Freddy Sanchez will workout with Indy on Wednesday and will play in the Indy game on Thursday before being eligible to come off the DL.


Scores around the NL Central:


-The Brewers won again, beating the Dodgers for the second straight game. Prince Fielder went deep for the Crew


-The Cards joined the Astros at 0-2 after dropping their second straight game to the Mets Tuesday night. El Duque held the Cards in check over seven strong innings






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