Final/11
Astros edge Pirates in 11 innings
May 19, 2013 - 4:50 AM Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - Matt Dominguez and J.D. Martinez drove in the deciding runs in the top of the 11th inning as the Houston Astros defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates, 4-2, in the middle test of a three-game set at PNC Park.Jose Altuve and Chris Carter each drove in one run for the Astros, who had lost seven of eight coming in. Jose Cisnero (1-0) earned the win after tossing 3 2/3 shutout innings of relief, while Jose Veras picked up his sixth save of the season with a perfect bottom of the 11th.
Mark Melancon blew a 2-1 Pittsburgh lead in the eighth, allowing Carter to tie the game with an RBI single. Bryan Morris (1-2) absorbed the loss after allowing both runs in the 11th as the Pirates had a four-game win streak snapped.
"We don't take anybody lightly," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "This goes to show you. There's guys in this clubhouse who are disappointed we didn't win tonight."
Morris served up a leadoff double to Jason Castro in the 11th, then intentionally walked Carlos Pena following a Chris Carter fly out. After both runners advanced on a wild pitch, Castro scored on Dominguez's fielder's choice to second to make it 3-2.
"A lot of those guys that were up, they were up more so for show," Houston manager Bo Porter said of his extra innings strategy. "It was one of those situations."
On the play, Castro appeared to just slip past a tag at home after Pirates second baseman Neil Walker fired a bullet attempting to throw him out. Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle erupted from the dugout to argue the call and was immediately tossed from the game.
"I thought he was out, but I watched the replay and I was wrong." Added Hurdle.
The Pirates' chances for a comeback were dashed as well when Martinez pinch- hit for Cisnero and delivered an RBI single that scored Dominguez and gave the Astros a two-run advantage.
Houston trailed 2-1 in the eighth, but found success when Melancon came on to relieve starter A.J. Burnett.
Trevor Crowe and Altuve smacked back-to-back singles and Castro's fielder's choice put runners on first and third. Carter followed with a run-scoring single to left, knotting the game at 2-2.
Burnett tossed seven innings, yielding five hits and one run while fanning seven. The right-hander hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in each of his 10 starts this season, though his bullpen couldn't come through.
Erik Bedard allowed two runs on seven hits and struck out three over six innings for the Astros.
The Pirates opened up the scoring in the first thanks to consecutive two-out doubles from Andrew McCutchen and Gaby Sanchez, with Sanchez's two-bagger hitting off the wall in left and easily plating McCutchen for a 1-0 lead.
Houston finally got to Burnett in the fifth to tie the game at 1-1.
Altuve, who was activated off the bereavement list prior to the game, smacked a slow roller down the line with two outs and runners on first and third. Brandon Inge couldn't handle the ball, allowing the visitors to even the game.
Inge made up for the mishap one inning later with a two-out, RBI single to left that scored McCutchen to give the Pirates a 2-1 lead.
Allowing only one run in the frame was a small victory for Bedard, though, as the Pirates started with runners on second and third with no outs. The lefty forced Sanchez to pop out and Russell Martin to ground into a fielder's choice before Inge' single.
He ended the threat by retiring Walker, who fouled out to first.
Game Notes
The Astros optioned infielder Jake Elmore to Triple-A Oklahoma City to make room for Altuve ... The Pirates were 18-0 this season when leading after seven innings.
- HOUSTON: 4
PITTSBURGH: 2
Final/11
May 18 11:06 PM - Pinch-Hitter J.D. Martinez singled to center scored Matt Dominguez with two outs. On the play, Marwin Gonzalez tagged out between second and third to end the inning.
Astros 4, Pirates 2 Mid 11May 18 10:57 PM - Cassie Man, the 60s must've been a great time. Too bad I'm stuck growing up in the 2010s with junky music and all of the greatness of the 20th century lost :) Go Astros, even though they have to be one of the worst teams in the MLB.
Astros 3, Pirates 2 Top 11, 2 OutsMay 18 10:56 PM - Matt Dominguez ground ball fielder's choice scored Jason Castro with one out. On the play, Carlos Pena advances to third. Runners on first and third and Marwin Gonzalez due up.
Astros 3, Pirates 2 Top 11, 1 OutMay 18 10:50 PM - Chris Carter single to left scored Trevor Crowe with one out. On the play, Jason Castro advances to second. Runners on first and second and Carlos Pena due up.
Astros 2, Pirates 2 Top 8, 1 OutMay 18 9:52 PM - Brandon Inge single to left scored Andrew McCutchen with two outs. On the play, Russell Martin advances to second. Runners on first and second and Neil Walker due up.
Astros 1, Pirates 2 Bot 6, 2 OutsMay 18 9:11 PM - Jose Altuve single to third scored Marwin Gonzalez with two outs. On the play, Trevor Crowe advances to second. Runners on first and second and Jason Castro due up.
Astros 1, Pirates 1 Top 5, 2 OutsMay 18 8:41 PM - Gaby Sanchez double to left scored Andrew McCutchen with two outs. Runner on second and Russell Martin due up.
Astros 0, Pirates 1 Bot 1, 2 OutsMay 18 7:29 PM - HOUSTON: 0
PITTSBURGH: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
May 18 7:09 PM
Related News
- Astros Crawfish Boil: December 26, 2023 Dec 26
- Everystros LV Dec 24
- Pirates Top Games of 2023: No. 6 - Drew Maggi gets his moment Dec 23
- Astros Crawfish Boil: December 23, 2023 Dec 23
- The Pirates got it right with Andrew McCutchen Dec 22
- Astros Minor League Position Review: Third Base Dec 22
- Astros Crawfish Boil: December 22, 2023 Dec 22
- Bucs Arghticles: Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen makes comments after signing Dec 22
- Pirates targeting first baseman in upcoming MLB Draft Dec 22
- Astros Crawfish Boil: December 21, 2023 Dec 21
- Bucs Arghticles: Pirates sign Ryan Mattson Dec 21
- Top Candidates to Enter Astros Top 10 Prospects in 2024 Dec 20