Snell, Monroe lead Pirates to 10-0 win

Pirates improve to 6-5 on the season

Ian Snell (1-2) pitched seven scoreless innings and Craig Monroe hit two three run homers in consecutive innings as the Pittsburgh Pirates (6-5) beat the Atlanta Braves (5-6) 10-0 Saturday afternoon at PNC Park

Monroe getting a rare start in right field, had the first six RBI game by a Pirates player since Jose Castillo in 2006 but the big story of the afternoon was the performance of starting pitcher Ian Snell.

Snell allowed four hits, striking out three while walking three and combined with Sean Burnett and Jess Chavez on a four-hit shutout. It was Pirates second shutout in as many days.

Snell has now pitched 12 consecutive scoreless innings, dating back to his last start in Cincinnati and appears to have rebounded from his first start where he got tagged for eight runs in four innings against the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Pirates managed 13 hits on the day. Ryan Doumit added three doubles and third baseman Andy Laroche went 3-for-4 with two doubles.

Freddy Sanchez and Nate McLouth each had two hits apiece.

Center Fielder Nyjer Morgan was 0-for-4 and has been hitless for two straight games. Morgan’s 5 game hitting steak was snapped Friday night against the Braves.

The Pirates improved their record to 6-5 through 11 games and have relied on the top of their rotation to halt a two game losing streak from becoming anything more than that.

The Pirates have scored 43 runs in their 6 wins and 8 runs in their 5 losses.

Zach Duke (2-0) will take the mound for the Pirates Sunday afternoon as the Pirates go for a weekend sweep.

John Perrotto writes it was truly a spectacular afternoon at PNC.

Box Score

Pirates Hitting

Morgan cf 0-for-4, 1 BB

Sanchez 2b 2-for-5, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 3B (2)

McLouth cf 2-for-5, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 SB (1)

Doumit c 3-for-4, 3 R, 1 RBI, 3 2B (4), 1 BB

Adam LaRoche 1b 0-for-3, 1 R, 2 BB, 2 SO

Monroe rf 2-for-4, 2 R, 6 RBI, 2 HR (2)

Andy LaRoche 3b 3-for-4, 1 RBI, 2 2B (2)

Vazquez ss 0-for-3, 1 BB, 1 SO

Hinske ph 1-for-1, 1 R, 1 2B (3)

Pirates Pitching

Snell (W 1-2) 7 IP, 4 H, 3 BB, 3 SO

Burnett 1 IP

Chavez 1 IP, 1 SO