It’s Over. Pirates Stop the Chop

The series that just wouldn’t end

between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Atlanta Braves looked like it might go a few more innings last night. But then Joel Hanrahan was found.  Pirates manager Clint Hurdle summoned the closer and Hanranator delivered.  The right hander recorded a huge out in the eighth to shut down another Braves comeback.

Andrew McCutchen followed up by belting a two-run homer in the ninth off reliever George Sherrill.   Hanrahan closed out the Braves in the bottom of the ninth to secure a 5-2 win, a series split and snapping a wicked Derek Lowe streak of 10 consecutive winning starts against the Bucs.

It was over.  Finally.

The series had games of 19 and 10 innings and two long rain delays. It was painful enough to hear the damn tomahawk chops all. night. long. But at the bitter end, the Pirates had salvaged an important series split against the Braves.

Things are changing Bucco believers.

Remember when the Pirates sucked? David Ross does:

"They’re a good team. There’s a reason why they’re tied for first place or whatever they are, a game back. They’re playing well and they know it. If you’re able to pitch to them, they can pitch, too. And they don’t beat themselves like they used to.”"

Remember when the Pirates sucked on the road? That’s over.

Remember when there was a countdown about road wins? That’s over.

Remember when you used to worry that a Pirates loss showed the team was about to come apart at the seams? That’s over.

Remember hearing the seemingly endless tomahawk chants? That will never be over and might be back again before we know it.

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