Pittsburgh Pirates series review vs Cardinals

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Game Two: Charlie Morton (8-6, 4.22ERA) vs. Jaime Garcia (7-4, 2.03ERA)

Result: Pirates lose 4-1

Winning Pitcher: Jaime Garcia (8-4, 1.89ERA)

Losing Pitcher: Charlie Morton (8-7, 4.07ERA)

• What went right:
  • Charlie Morton had a very good outing, despite the loss. He went six innings, allowed tw runs (one earned) on four hits and struck out three.
  • Sean Rodriguez continued his quietly good play at the plate as he went 3-4.
  • Pedro Alvarez had a pinch hit RBI single, as he drove in the lone Pirates’ run.
  • Joe Blanton had another scoreless outing as a Pirate. He went one inning, allowed no runs on one hit.

• What went wrong:
  • Jaime Garcia completely shut down the Pirates as he was the difference in the game. He went seven innings, allowed zero runs on four hits and struck out nine.
  • Matt Carpenter was the Pirates-killer he always is. He went 2-3 with a home run, a walk, two RBI and a run scored.
  • Josh Harrison committed an error that allowed a run to score and the Pirates never really got back into the game.
  • Arquimedes Caminero had his worst outing in long time. He went one inning, allowed two runs on one hit and walked one.

Charlie Morton pitched well, but was undone by an error. He kept his team in the game, which is all you can ask of a back-end of the rotation starter. It wasn’t enough as the Cardinals evened the series, setting up the rubber match on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball.

Next: Game Three Cole vs. Lackey on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball