Pittsburgh Pirates: Regular season results for July - MLB 2011 - Part 5
With an impressive 51-45 win-loss record, Pittsburgh Pirates were sitting in a very healthy position in the Wild Card standings. Showing great determination and fighting spirit, the Pirates had managed to get over the breakeven point (>50 win percentage)
for the first time in the Majors since August 1999.
It was an astonishing achievement by Clint Hurdle and his men considering the kind of start they had made to their regular season campaign. The upbeat Pirates aimed to continue their sensational form throughout the month of July to yield positive results.
After defeating Cincinnati Reds 2-1 in a three match series, the Pirates were hoping to achieve similar results in their next series with the St. Louis Cardinals. However, as it turned out, the Pirates gifted the opening two games to their rivals to suffer
another series loss. In game one, they were unable to take their chances and they eventually paid the price for their large number of unforced errors.
The Cardinals, on the other hand, took complete advantage of the situation and they scored a great 6-4 win over their opponents to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Albert Pujols was the star of the show as he went 4 for 5 including a towering home-run; his
27th at the Allegheny River Park and the Cardinals secured a comfortable win over the surprising NL Central leading team. Pujols, once again, dominated Pittsburgh starter Paul Maholm (6-10) to improve his career record to .583 against the veteran.
"Let me tell you, look at all ballparks, he does it every place he plays," said St. Louis’ manager Tony La Russa. "He's just a phenomenal hitter. There's nothing special about here; he just hits everywhere."
"It doesn't matter if I have good success against a guy or no," Pujols said.
The Cardinals continued to overwhelm their opponents in game two of the series as well. Dominating in almost all aspects of the game, they demolished their rivals 9-1 to take a decisive 2-0 lead. Lance Berkman and Yadier Molina both homered during St. Louis’
five run fifth inning.
"I still feel like we have a run in us of really good baseball that we haven't really put it together yet," Berkman said. "You never know when something like that will start, but certainly the last two nights have been a step in that direction."
Handling the pressure absolutely brilliantly, the Pirates battled back in their third and final game of the series to improve their win-loss record to 47-52. The Pirates rallied past the Cardinals 4-3 to end the series on a positive note. Clint Hurdle’s
side aimed to learn from their mistakes and comeback stronger in their future games.
Continued in Part 6
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