What Sophomore Slump? Vance Worley Dominates Pittsburgh Pirates

The sigh of relief came in the seventh inning when the Pittsburgh Pirates

were able to get a hit. Gorkys Hernandez led off the inning with an infield single. Hernandez stole second and eventually would score on a Phillies error.  It would be the only run the team would score as the Bucs lost 4-1, and had just two hits while striking out 12 times.

The big story was the lack of offense by the Pirates. Vance Worley was coming into the game with a few question marks after his outing last Wednesday against the young Houston Astros. Worley pitched two innings and allowed five hits and two runs. That was then….

This afternoon Worley pitched four innings. He struckout eight Pirates. He allowed no hits. He allowed no walks.

Flawless.

It was almost comical to think their was talk of a sophomore slump after Worley’s first outing. Worley won eleven and had a 3.01 ERA in 21 starts last year with the Phillies. The Filthies won 14 straight games that Worley started from June 18 to Sept. 6th. He was third in NL Rookie of the Year voting.

The Pirates must have had their minds on their off day tomorrow as Worley mowed through the Pirates “A” lineup.

Charlie Morton pitched two scoreless innings and struckout two which was really good news for Pirates fans. It sounded like there might have been some rough spots as Morton allowed four hits, but Electric Stuff was able to get through his outing keeping the Phillies off the board.

Longballs by the relievers:

In the fourth inning, Chris Resop gave up a bomb to Hector Luna.  It was the only hit Resop allowed in his two innings of work.  He struckout one.

In the fifth inning Tony Watson gave up a homer to Jimmy Rollins.  It was the only hit Watson allowed in his one inning of work.

Welcome Back Rudy: 

Rudy Owens pitched a clean inning as a replacement for Lincoln or McPherson.

Watch the Gun:

Tony Sanchez gunned out two Phillies would be base stealers with ease.