PITTSBURGH 3 – CHICAGO 0
Win: Wandy Rodriguez (1-0)
Loss: Edwin Jackson (0-1)
Save: Jason Grilli (1)
For months Pirates GM Neal Huntington has taken a lot of heat from the media and fan base for not having an all-in mindset last year at the trade deadline but many seem to downplay the acquisition of Wandy Rodriguez when looking back at last years trade deadline.
Rodriguez was a significant addition because of the term on his contract as he’s signed through 2014.
Rodriguez is the best pitcher on the Pirates staff and he showed that tonight in the Pirates 3-0 win, throwing 6 2/3 shutout innings, allowing two hits, while striking out six and walking just one.
Rodriguez night was highlighted by a knee buckling curve ball to strikeout Brent Lillibridge in the top of the seventh with one out and the bases loaded.
“That’s a pro’s pitch,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “No kid is going to throw that pitch.”
Hurdle was spot on in that pitch was a “pro’s pitch” from the crafty veteran.
Rodriguez is pivotal to the Pirates competing this season as the top-3 of the rotation is going to be so important. A lot will also be falling on James McDonald’s shoulders who gets the start tomorrow.

Post-Game Player Reports

Game 2 Wednesday, April 3,  2013

Pirates 3 @ Cubs 0

Catchers

Russell Martin| 0-3, 9 #P’s

Russell Martin was 0-3 at the plate and is 0-7 on the season

INFIELDERS

Gaby Sanchez, 1B | 0-4, 1 RBI, 1 SO,  19 #P’s

Sanchez had an RBI in the 4th off a Starling Castro error scoring Andrew McCutchen. Sanchez is still looking for his first hit of the season.

Neil Walker, 2B | 1-2, 2 BB, 15 #P’s

Walker was 1-2 with 2 walks

Clint Barmes, SS | 1-3, 2B, 1 R,  16 #P’s

Barmes had a double in the 7th then scored on Starling Marte’s RBI single.

Pedro Alvarez, 3B | 1-4, 1 SO, 15 #P’s

Has hits in back to back games after a 1-4 night.

OUTFIELDERS

Starling Marte, LF | 1-4, 1 RBI, 1 SO, 22 #P’s

Marte had an RBI single in the 7th and he was patient at the plate seeing 22 pitches. Marte had one at-bat of 7 pitches and another of 6 pitches.

Andrew McCutchen, CF| 1-3, 2B, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 SO, 22 #P’s

McCutchen doubled to deep left in the 4th, scoring Gaby Sanchez. The Pirates center fielder has extra base hits in back to back games and swiped second base in the sixth for his second stolen base of the season, 100th of career.

Garrett Jones, RF | 1-4, 1 R, 2 SO, 14 #P’s

Jones picked up his first hit of the season with a leadoff single in the bottom of the 4th

Pitchers

Wandy Rodriguez| 1-0, 6.2 IP, 2 Hits, 0 runs, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO, 103-68 PC-ST |

Rodriguez was tremendous surrendering 2 hits, no runs and striking out six and walking one in the win. Rodriguez had 11 flyouts and he was very crafty out there and got out of trouble situations like the seventh inning. A very strong outing for him .

Tony Watson| 1.1 IP, 0 Hits, 0 runs, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 16-11 PC-ST |

Watson came in relief of Rodriguez with the bases loaded in the seventh with two hits. Watson threw three straight balls to Alberto Gonzalez but battled and got Gonzalez to fly out to center to end the inning. Watson pitched a 1-2-3 8th inning.

Jason Grilli | 1.0 IP, 0 Hits, 0 runs, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO, 9-7 PC-ST |

Jason Grilli is one for one in the closers role with a 1-2-3 9th inning. Grilli got Anthony Rizzo to groundout to second and struckout Alfonso Soriano and Nate Schierholtz to end the game.

Related posts:

Default ThumbnailWandy Rodriguez walks season high 5 batters in Pirates debut Default ThumbnailPost-Game Buzz: Wandy Rodriguez leaves game to injury, Pirates get clutch hitting in 5-3 win Default ThumbnailPirates expect Wandy Rodriguez to return to mound in next 5-10 days Default ThumbnailDePaoli: Both are a bonus but Wandy Rodriguez returning to full health would be more important for Pirates than getting Grilli back