18 innings and the Astros were no better in the 1st than they were in the 18th. Mike Lamb watched a roller go right between his legs for an error on the first Pirate batter. Later, Adam Everett, ranging far to his right, whipped a throw for a force at 2nd that sailed into right. These errors led to an early 2 run Pirates lead.
In the 8th, with the game tied 5-5, the Astros had the bases loaded one out. Lamb hit a long fly to Jason Bay in left. The ball popped right out of his glove, Biggio scored, but Burke tried to score from second and was called out by Fielding Culbreth, who is perhaps unaware that, to be out, the runner should be tagged with the BALL!. Garner came out and tried to explain this to him, but instead got thrown out of the game.
The Pirates immediately tied the game in the bottom of the 8th on a homerun by Burnitz off of Wheeler.
Fast forward, to the 17th. in the top of the inning, Taveras singled home Munson.
The Pirates immediately tied the game in the bottom of the 17th on a homerun by Jose Castillo off Mike Gallo.
In the bottom of the 18th, Gallo threw 2 wild pitches, the capper coming when he was trying to IBB Nancy, that advanced Bay to third. Bay then scored on a pop to center, Taveras? throw beat Bay to the plate, but Munson dropped the ball. 5 hours and 49 minutes to wait to see that.
Nieve v. Oliver Perez to avoid the sweep, game starts 12:35 Central.
