Pirates/MLB
Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh 11 – Milwaukee 9
Pedro Alvarez and Neil Walker powered the Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday night to a thrilling 11-9 win over the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park.
Pittsburgh scored nine runs in the 1st inning, only to have Milwaukee put up three runs in the 2nd inning and four more runs in the 3rd inning to climb back into the game.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau via ESPN stats info, Tuesday night was the first time Pittsburgh scored nine or more runs in the first inning at home since it got nine against the Chicago Colts on Aug. 8, 1893.
Pirates starter Brad Lincoln allowed 7 earned runs on 9 hits in 2.1 innings pitched. Reliever D.J. Carrasco (2-2) received the win, pitching 2 2/3 scoreless innings in relief of Lincoln.
Carrasco who is drawing strong interest on the trade market, struck out five, while allowing just one hit. Octavio Dotel earned his 20th save of the season.
Post-Game Notes
- Alvarez had a career game, hitting a grand slam in Pittsburgh’s nine-run first inning and a solo home run in the second for his first career multihomer game. Alvarez (.243 – 5HR -17RBI) was 2-for-4 on the night, with 2 home runs, 5 RBI’s and a walk.
- It was also a career game for Neil Walker (.311) who went 5-for-5 on the night and added an RBI. Walker became the first Pirates rookie to have 5 hits in a game since John Wehner on July 23, 1991 vs. Atlanta.
- Ryan Doumit was given a night off after being hit in the mask with a foul ball in Monday’s game. Doumit was replaced in the lineup by Erik Kratz who went 0-for-4 with a run scored.
- Andrew McCutchen (shoulder) missed his second straight game. A timetable for McCutchen’s return has not been established but he is not expected to miss a significant period of time. Jose Tabata (1-for-5, 2RBI’s, run scored) made his second straight start in center field. Delwyn Young (2-for-3, 2RBI’s, 3 runs scored) got the start in right field.
Trade Talk
The Pirates are not close to making any deals but they are receiving several inquiries on a number of players in the organization.
*The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported on Monday that the Los Angeles Dodgers have expressed interest in Pirates starter Paul Maholm. However, indications are the Pirates have not exchanged names with the Dodgers. LA is eyeing multiple pitchers on the market and are not in the position to move on Maholm just yet.
The Detroit Tigers have also checked in on the availability of Maholm, Inside Pittsburgh Sports has learned. The Tigers have also had interest in Zach Duke in the past but Duke has seen his value plummet this year.
*Relievers D.J. Carrasco and Joel Hanrahan are drawing the most interest among the Pirates group of relievers. The asking price for Hanrahan and All-Star Evan Meek is very high and neither are being actively shopped.
As things stand right now, Carrasco is the best bet to be moved based on the interest and the lower asking price.
The Pirates have yet to put Octavio Dotel on the trade block.
*Ryan Doumit is likely to stay, however, the Boston Red Sox have been kicking the tires on Doumit.
