During our trip to Pittsburgh we went to two Pirates games and saw the Pirates put together two come-from-behind victories.
On Thursday against the Mets, the Pirates found themselves in a 5-0 hole after 3 innings but scored 3, 1, 1, 2, and 3 runs in the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th innings, respectively, to win the the game 10-7.
Yesterday, the Pirates were losing 4-0 up until the 7th inning, when they scored 7 runs, all with 2 outs. That was a crazy inning. This is how the inning unfolded:
- Adam LaRoche flied out to right. (Nobody on, 1 out)
- Xavier Nady singled to left. (Runner on 1st, 1 out)
- Jason Bay struck out. (Runner on 1st, 2 outs)
- Jose Bautista singled to center. (Runners on 1st and 2nd, 2 outs)
- Pinch-hitter Josh Phelps drew a full-count walk. (Bases loaded, 2 outs)
- Pinch-hitter Matt Kata hit a 3-run double to center (Runner on 2nd, 2 outs, 3 runs in)
- Nate McLouth doubled to right. (Runner on 2nd, 2 outs, 4 runs in)
- Jack Wilson drew a full-count walk. (Runners on 1st and 2nd, 2 outs, 4 runs in)
- Freddy Sanchez doubled to left. (Runners on 2nd and 3rd, 2 outs, 5 runs in)
- Adam LaRoche was intentionally walked. (Bases loaded, 2 outs, 5 runs in)
- Xavier Nady singled to left. (Runners on 1st and 2nd, 2 outs, 7 runs in)
- Jason Bay grounded into a fielder’s choice. (2 runners left on base, 3 outs, 7 runs in)
So, in just one half-inning, the Pirates went from losing by 4 runs to winning by 3 runs. In the bottom of the 8th, they tacked on another run and eventually won the game 8-4. This marks the 5th consecutive game in which they have scored 8 or more runs. Interestingly, the Pirates lead the majors in runs scored so far in August. Who are these guys?
Anyway, though I had prepared myself for disappointment, these games proved to be exhilarating and very satisfying. I couldn’t be more pleased. Maybe a walk-off home run would have been more exciting but a 7-run, 2-out rally is pretty good, too.
Amazingly, Sunday’s game was the 2nd game I’ve attended this year in which the home team scored 7 runs in the 7th inning, all with 2 outs.
