Pirates 2, Reds 0 (9 inn)
Ten fires a 9-inning shutout as the Pirates outlast the Reds
Aided in part by the rainy conditions, Ten and Spoon took this pitcher’s duel the full MLB length. The Reds loaded the bases in the 1st, but came up empty after some clutch pitching by Ten. This was to be a theme, as the Reds piled up baserunners only to have the Pirates’ ace repeatedly work his way out of jams with crucial strikeouts. Perhaps the Reds’ best shot to score came on an opposite-field blast by Dr. Z that would have undoubtedly cleared the fence if not for a substantial wind coming straight in from right. The Pirates offense slumbered until the 9th, when Ten led off with a short popup to pitcher that Spoon dropped. Joe-B-One followed by dropping a single over 3rd, and The Deuce walked to load em’ up. Spoon simply couldn’t find the plate, as he issued 2 RBI walks that bookended a screaming liner by Ten, requiring a leaping grab by the ever-nimble Palpatine. After a Dr. Z single to lead off the bottom of 9, Ten whiffed the Payne family on two filthy sinkers and induced a game-ending dribbler from the Z.
Recap by Brian "Spoon" Payne
Submitted: Brian Payne
Apr 30, 2007