Brandon Wood shines as the Pirates 4-2 rout over the Nationals: MLB Update
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ Brandon Wood, had a remarkable debut with the bat, as the slugger hit two-run double in the club’s 4-2 series grabbing triumph over their rival, Washington Nationals, at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, on Monday, April 25.
Wood acted as per the expectation of the manager, Clint Hurdle, who had advised Wood before the game, not to take impression-making pressure upon him. Wood remained cool and impression automatically came to his side.
Wood explained his outing saying, "It's nice you get the first hit and the first couple RBIs out of the way and can just go play some baseball from here.”
Despite having achieved splendid applause from the bullpen in the original series opener that was postponed by rain on Friday, Wood has something more in his mind to present.
Like any other positive minded player, Wood said, "It's just one game and you never know how things go. I am just going to keep the same mentality and just have fun. The guys were great. I'm fortunate to be around these guys because that was some fun coming
through the dugout after that hit."
The Pirates’ struggling starter, Paul Maholm, pitched seven shutout innings to earn his first win of the season. The 28-year-old pitcher allowed two runs on four hits, two walks and made eight strikeouts to clinch the tenth victory for the club. Two runs
consumed by the Maholm came in first innings, when Washington’s Adam LaRoche touched a RBI double to centre-field.
"The first inning, I missed two pitches," Maholm said, "I just made sure they didn't get anymore. I was mixing speeds and mixing pitches and just let the defence do some work."
The Pirates’ reliever, Evan Meek, and closer, Joel Hanrahan, both pitched one scoreless inning each. Hanrahan saved his sixth game making six strikeouts.
The Washington’s starter, John Lannan, was going well until the fourth innings in which he allowed four runs that remained the difference between two teams throughout the game. Besides this, Lannan allowed nothing and made three strikeouts in his five and
2/3 innings spell.
The blow Lannan received was so worst for the Washington that the impetus performance of their relievers could not save the Club from eleventh defeat of the season. Todd Coffey and Chad Gaudin held the opposition hitless in their short spells. The Closer
Sean Burnett tossed a tossed one-shutout inning for his perfect save.
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