Pittsburgh Pirates: Regular season results for May - MLB 2011 - Part 4
With an emphatic series over Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates had improved their win-loss record to 20-23. The Pirates had not managed 20 wins in the previous season until the end of June. It was a great achievement by Clint Hurdle and his men to keep
their side in the playoffs race. Looking to gain the winning momentum, the Pirates made a very aggressive start to their three match series with Detroit Tigers.
Dominating almost all aspects of the game, the Pirates made their opponent’s game play look completely ineffective. The pitchers pitched with control and accuracy and they created all sorts of problems for Tigers’ batters. The hitters also produced match
winning performances as the Pirates secured a phenomenal 10-1 win to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Neil Walker led from the front as he smacked a two run double in the sixth innings off Tigers’ reliever, Brayan Villarreal. He later hit a magical three run home run in the ninth to let his side establish complete control over the contest. Jeff Karstens
also produced his best performance of the year as he allowed only one run and three hits in six innings.
“We talked about it before the game [to] try and keep them off balance,” Karstens said. “They're a pretty good fastball hitting team, especially [Miguel] Cabrera and [Victor] Martinez and just try to stay out of situations where they can hurt us.”
The Pirates were brilliant in game two of the series and they adapted a very attacking approach to down their rivals. Making the most of the available opportunities, Clint Hurdle’s men earned their first four match winning streak of the season. Kevin Corrie
did not panic during tense situations as he picked up his first win at PNC Park.
Pittsburgh manager, Clint Hurdle said, “The guys are feeling it. There's a little bit of less anxiety in the dugout. Even when we were down 2-0 there was some calmness.”
Although the Pirates lost the third and final meeting, the overall quality of their game play in the series was quite satisfactory. Another series win meant that they were now 22-24 in their win-loss record but the resurging Pirates failed to ride the storm
in a two match series with Atlanta Braves. The NL Central team wasted too many chances and they lost both games in the series, which damaged their win-loss record to 22-26.
Lifting spirits and regrouping, the Pirates grabbed opportunities with both hands in a three match series with Chicago Cubs. Hammering the Cubs 10-0 in game two, the club secured another important series for themselves.
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