When the lineup was announced I was concerned. Bruntlett instead of Everett with Pettitte pitching? My concern was unfounded. Bruntlett played an excellent shortstop last night.
I was 7 rows up in right field for this one, so I had a great view of all the action. In the first, Vina's double just eluded Lane. My friend commented that, had he dove, it would have been a double anyway because he couldn't have made the throw. But Andy brushed off the runner on second and handily retired the next two batters.
Pettitte had it going last night, and with Bruntlett and Ensberg's help, met little resistance until he began to tire in the 7th.
Berkman staked him to a lead in the first, doubling home Biggio all the way from first, they added two more runs in the 3rd and the 3-0 tally stood until the 6th. Preston Wilson had been playing way over towards center all night. And with the bases loaded, and Ausmus up, the acreage in right was immense. Brad had to have seen it too. I couldn't tell what he hit or if he hit it intentionally, but the ball bannanaed right into no mans land and everybody ran the bases. That was beautiful.
Pettitte got a scare in the 7th, Vinny's double bounced right off the top of the wall. And Wilson's was a shot. But they sent Pettitte back out for the 8th and he had an easy inning.
Wheeler worked the 9th, and except for the line drive to the Boxes, everything went smoothly as he struck out 2.
Pirates at 7:05, Oswalt v. Zach Duke, and my friend is throwing out the first pitch.
