Pittsburgh Pirates: Regular season results for June - MLB 2011 - Part 5
Going over the breakeven point for the first time since August, 1999, Pittsburgh Pirates have done a remarkable job to pull things back after they made an ordinary start to their 2011 regular season campaign. Clint Hurdle and his men had executed their strategies
to perfection and they were hoping to continue their impressive form throughout the month to reach the top of wild card standings table.
Completing their first series sweep of the month, the Pirates had displayed some high quality baseball against Houston Astros. However, they were unable to make the most of available opportunities in a three match series against Cleveland Indians.
In game one, the hitters managed to post only a single run on the board and the Indians secured a comfortable 5-1 win to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Travis Hafner was absolutely brilliant for the Indians as he doubled home a run and assisted the Indians’
sluggish offense in a gear for a superb win over the Pirates.
“It proves that even a rehabbing Hafner can help our lineup,” Manager Manny Acta said after the chosen hitter was activated from the disabled list and delivered his key hit in a three-run eighth inning.
A similar pattern of play was observed in the following game as well as the Pirates were handed another embarrassing 5-1 win and the Indians secured a decisive 2-0 lead in the series. It was a disappointing loss for Clint Hurdle’s side considering the kind
of game play they had displayed in their previous three match series against Astros.
Carlos Carrasco delivered for the Indians as he took a no hitter into the sixth innings, extending his scoreless streak 21 1/3 innings. Earning his third straight start, Carrasco played a vital role in deciding the outcome of the game.
“I said to myself, 'OK, he gets a base hit, just relax and focus,'” Carrasco said about McKenry's single. “Then with another man on, I didn't want to give up a run. I threw some good fastballs and got the last strikeout on a slider.”
With winning momentum on their side, the Indians handed Pirates an embarrassing 3-0 series defeat with another strong 5-2 effort in the third and final game. Cord Phelps smashed his first home run of the Major league.
Phelps connected with one out in the eleventh innings for a three run shot and the Indians snatched a 5-2 win over the Pirates. Clint Hurdle, however, was still hopeful of doing a better job in their future games to lift the spirits in the camp.
Continued in part 6
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