Pittsburgh Pirates annihilate San Francisco Giants 13-2 in series finale – MLB Update
Pittsburgh Pirates continued their excellent form as they hammered the San Francisco Giants 13-2 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Sunday, July 8 in the finale of their three match series of the 2012 Major League Baseball regular season.
Andrew McCutchen once again played a key role in deciding the result of the game as he homered to right-centre in the first inning to put the Pirates on the board. Neil Walker also had an excellent outing. The second baseman homered to centre in the third
to extend Pirates lead to 3-0. With his five hits on Sunday afternoon, he improved his average to .291.
"Days like today can happen," said Walker, "but certainly five hits is something that comes around very rarely."
McCutchen hit his second home-run to in the seventh inning to put the Pirates in a commanding 12-2 position. Starting pitcher A.J. Burnett pitched effectively into the seventh inning, allowing just four hits and two runs for his ninth straight win this season.
"We worked hard to get to where we are, and we've earned our way so far," Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said.
"You never want to say, 'Hey, I've hit rock bottom,' or anything like that," Giants’ starting pitcher Tim Lincecum said. "But when things are going as bad as they are right now, you've kind of got to go out there like you've got nothing left to lose. Leave
it all out there on the field and what happens, happens."
After losing the series opener 5-6, the Pirates regrouped themselves to turn the tables on their opponents in Game 2. Clint Hurdle and company absolutely dominated the Giants in the finale, asserting their dominance in almost all aspects of the game.
In some ways, it was a huge win for the Pirates as it allowed them to stay at the top of National League Central Division leaders. Right now, they are just one game ahead of the second placed Cincinnati Reds and it will be interesting to see if Pittsburgh
can continue their marvellous winning streak after the All Star Break to shut their critics forever.
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