Pittsburgh Pirates edge Houston Astros 6-5 – MLB Update
Pittsburgh Pirates edged the Houston Astros 6-5 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas on Friday, July 27 in second game of their four match series of the 2012 Major League Baseball regular season.
The Astros made a strong start to the contest and they pounded on every available opportunity to race to a 3-0 lead in the third inning.
Alex Presley turned things around for the Pirates as he homered to right in the fourth inning to put his side on the board.
Michael McKenry also produced a magical performance as he homered to left in the fifth to keep the Pirates in the game.
Rookie Starling Marte, who homered on his debut in series opener, tied up the score with a sacrifice fly hit to centre in the ninth. However, it was Drew Sutton who delivered the win, scoring on a wild throw in the ninth.
"Having the lead in three of the last four games is tough, there's no doubt," Astros’ manager Brad Mill said. "And it beats up on everybody, but these guys have been battling so well all the way through."
"When guys have big breaking balls like that sometimes they have the tendency to overthrow them in big situations and you've just got to take advantage," Sutton said. "In a close game like that it usually comes down to little stuff like that and I'm glad
I thought about it, the pitch, before. I got a good break on it and it worked out."
Pirates’ relief pitcher Tony Watson pitched the scoreless eighth to grab his fifth win of the season.
In some ways it was an extremely important win for the Pirates who are fighting hard to stay in the playoffs race.
Right now, Clint Hurdle and company are placed second on the National League Central Division standings, just two games behind the leaders, Cincinnati Reds.
Credit should be given to the Pirates for raising their game-play significantly from last season.
The fans will be very optimistic about their team’s current situation and it will be interesting to see if the Pirates can replace the Reds to win the National League Central title for the first time in the club’s history.
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