Final
for this game
Pirates eye .500 and a sweep of the Phillies
Jun 5, 2011 - 2:34 PMVideo
The Pirates have a tough task ahead of them, though, as they face Philadelphia's Roy Halladay. He's has been shaky his last two starts, giving up a total of 21 hits, but Halladay is still 2-0 over his last three starts. The righty is coming off a 10-hit, seven-inning struggle at Washington on Monday when the Phillies rallied for a 5-4 victory.
Halladay is 1-1 with a 1.13 ERA in three career starts against the Pirates.
James McDonald has pitched exceptionally well in his last three starts and will try to help the Pirates finish off the Phillies. The right-hander is 1-0 over his last three starts and has allowed a total of four runs in that time, covering 18 2/3 innings. He's coming off a six-inning outing against the Mets on Tuesday.
McDonald will make his first career start against the Phillies. He has thrown 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, covering two appearances.
At 28-29, the Pirates are bidding to get to .500 this late in a season for the first time since 2005. The latest that team was at the break-even mark was June 11, but they finished 67-95 and in an all-to-familiar position, in the basement of their division. They haven't had a winning record since 1992, their last playoff appearance.
Pittsburgh moved a step closer to .500 with a 6-3 win last night. Lyle Overbay went 3-for-4 with a run scored and another driven in, as the Pirates guaranteed a series win.
Andrew McCutchen had three hits and two RBI and Brandon Wood added a solo home run in the win, which was credited to Charlie Morton (6-2) for holding Philadelphia to two runs on six hits in his seven-inning start.
Playing in front of a PNC Park-record 39,441 fans, the Pirates won for the fourth time in five games.
"I just like the way we're swinging the bat," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "It was good for our fans that came out."
Kyle Kendrick (3-4), making his third start of the season, gave up four runs on eight hits over five innings to take the loss, the Phillies' fourth straight, including the first two in this three-game set.
The Phillies are now 12-22 all-time at PNC Park, which opened in the spring of 2001.
- PHILADELPHIA: 7
PITTSBURGH: 3
Final
Jun 5 5:14 PM - Ryan Howard single to center scored Ben Francisco with two out. On the play, Shane Victorino advances to third. Runners on first and third with Raul Ibanez due up.
Phillies 7, Pirates 3 Top 9, 2 OutsJun 5 5:00 PM - Shane Victorino single to center scored Wilson Valdez with none out. On the play, Ben Francisco advances to second. Runners on first and second with Placido Polanco due up.
Phillies 6, Pirates 3 Top 9, 0 OutsJun 5 4:56 PM - Andrew McCutchen single to left scored Josh Harrison with one out. Runner on first and Neil Walker due up.
Phillies 5, Pirates 3 Bot 8, 1 OutJun 5 4:37 PM - Ryan Howard single to center scored Placido Polanco with one out. On the play, Chase Utley advances to second. Runners on first and second with Raul Ibanez due up.
Phillies 5, Pirates 2 Top 8, 1 OutJun 5 4:20 PM - Placido Polanco single to left scored Roy Halladay with two out. Runner on first and Chase Utley due up.
Phillies 4, Pirates 2 Top 6, 2 OutsJun 5 3:27 PM - Carlos Ruiz hit-by-pitch scored Placido Polanco with two out. Bases loaded and Domonic Brown due up.
Phillies 3, Pirates 2 Top 5, 2 OutsJun 5 3:08 PM - Ryan Howard sacrifice fly to center scored Shane Victorino with two out. On the play, Chase Utley advances to second and Placido Polanco advances to third. Runners on second and third with Raul Ibanez due up.
Phillies 2, Pirates 2 Top 5, 2 OutsJun 5 3:06 PM - Raul Ibanez sacrifice fly to center scored Chase Utley with one out. On the play, Ryan Howard advances to third. Runner on third and Carlos Ruiz due up.
Phillies 1, Pirates 2 Top 4, 1 OutJun 5 2:31 PM - Neil Walker two-out, two-run Home Run (8) to right scored Xavier Paul. Lyle Overbay due up.
Phillies 0, Pirates 2 Bot 1, 2 OutsJun 5 1:51 PM - PHILADELPHIA: 0
PITTSBURGH: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Jun 5 1:37 PM
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