Pirates 4, Astros 3
W: Grabow (5-2) L: Brocail (4-4) S: Marte (3)
HRs: Pence (11), Lee (21), McLouth (17), LaRoche (10)
Footer’s wrap
After 6 1/2 hours at PNC Park in rainy Pittsburgh, the Astros still had command of this game, only to let it slip away in the bottom of the 8th after recording two outs, the ultimate ‘can’t nail it down’ scenario come true.
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
I would not want to interview this man after his blown save/loss last night. Someone was brave enough, however, the get the following quotes from Mr. Redass himself. I suspect it was Ms. Footer, who could be compared to a snake charmer in this case.
“That’s a ballgame we can win,” Brocail said. “We battled all night. It’s one inning of work. The tough thing is when you blow a lead, blow a save and all the hard work from the guys prior to you doesn’t amount to anything.”
The Astros built the lead first on a massive blast to dead center by Hunter Pence in the 4th inning, staking starter Brandon Backe to a 1-0 lead before the clouds opened up for the first pause, a two hour + rain delay.
Carlos Lee, still making a bid for the last spot on the NL all-star team, knocked a 2-run blast in the 5th to increase the lead to 3-0, and also mark the last score of the game for the visitors. The Pirates answered with a solo shot in the bottom half of the inning to get on the board.
The game was delayed again in the 6th for half an hour. Even Mother Nature seems to plot against the Astros, as the skies cleared with the good guys holding a 3-1 lead and an official game in the books.
The score remained 3-1 until Brocail couldn’t get that elusive third out in the fateful 8th.
Upcoming schedule includes one more game in Steel City, Thursday off on the road, and the weekend in Virginia.