Pittsburgh Pirates: Regular season results for June - MLB 2011 - Part 8
Crushing Boston Red Sox in a three match series, Pittsburgh Pirates were looking in supreme form. Although the Pirates lost the final game, the overall quality of their game play in the series was quite satisfactory. For the first time in twelve years, they
had managed to get over the breakeven point in their win-loss record. Clint Hurdle and his men were now looking to put the Pirates in a very healthy position on the wild card standings table.
In a three match series with Toronto Blue Jays, the Pirates raised their game to an entirely new level as they emerged victorious in two of out of three games. In game one, the NL Central team showed amazing determination, mental strength and character as
they clinched a nail-biting thriller to take 1-0 lead in the series.
Alex Presley was the star of the show as he hit his first home run of the season and Andrew McCutchen added a solo shot to help Pirates rally past the Blue Jays 7-6. The Pirates cashed in opportunities and they made their opponents run for their money in
a display of some high quality baseball.
Pittsburgh manager, Clint Hurdle was delighted with Presley’s effort and commented, “You can't ask for much more out of a kid than to bring him up to the big leagues and (get) three RBIs in the leadoff spot in his first game back. He made his presence felt.”
Kevin Correia led the pitching pack as he allowed only four runs and five hits in six innings for his side, who won five of their last six games in Majors League Baseball. With his win, Correia also became the first Pittsburgh pitcher to have ten wins before
the ALL Star break since Bob Walk did it in 1993.
Although the Pirates put up a brave fight in the second game, they were unable to hold their nerves and the Blue Jays secured a narrow 2-1 win to level the series. Yunel Escobar doubled home the tie-breaking run in seventh and Brandon Morrow struck out ten
for Toronto in a thrilling contest.
Clint Hurdle’s side was disappointed with the outcome of the game but they aimed to comeback stronger in the deciding game to earn their third straight series win of the month. Fighting back, the Pirates looked in commanding form in third and final game
of the series. Jeff Karstens produce another match winning performance and the Pirates improved their win-loss record to 41-39.
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