Pirates take two in AZ!

The road trip for the Pirates had resulted in just one win before yesterday,but a Andrew McCutchen ninth inning single scored Alex Presley for the winning run in a 5-4 win yesterday and a Neil Walker blooper in the eighth inning lifted the Pirates to a 2-1 win this afternoon over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Pirates received homers from Garrett Jones yesterday (2) and Pedro Alvarez today (2).
Jason Grilli was yesterday's winner (1-1) despite allowing a game tying homer to the less than powerful John McDonald,while today's W went to the recalled Brad Lincoln (1-0).
Juan Cruz saved both games (1 and 2) for Pittsburgh.
The Pirates improved to 5-7 on the season and finally return to PNC Park this weekend for a six game homestand against the Cardinals and Rockies....

Pirate Hooks

1) Brad Lincoln fired three shutout innings after being recalled from Indianapolis with the shoulder injury to Jeff Karstens on Tuesday.
Lincoln struggled with control at times (three walks),but allowed just one hit and looked good doing it with the exception of a sixth inning jam that he used a double play to work his way out of.

2) Odd note,Pedro Alvarez on the season-2 hits,2 homers,2 RBI.
Unreal.

3) Super game from Garrett Jones last night with three hits and three runs batted in.
Considering that Ian Kennedy was the starter,the numbers look even better...

4) Give a big chunk of the win yesterday to the Pirate bullpen.
After Jeff Karstens left the game with his injury,five members of the bullpen held Arizona down as a group effort.
Extra points to Jared Hughes and Tony Watson for pitching far longer than usual and doing so effectively...

5)  Jeff Karstens injury is "shoulder inflammation".AKA it hurts.
Karstens spot will be taken by Brad Lincoln on Tuesday against the Rockies and likely by the return of A.J. Burnett thereafter...

6) I wondered why Juan Cruz was the closer last night and today after that.
Well,the answer is that Joel Hanrahan is day to day with a bad hamstring.
Hopefully,it will not be bad enough to spend time on the disabled list...

7) Well, 5-7 after a brutal nine game road trip is passable,especially considering the 1-6 start to the trip.
Things could have been far far worse.....

I plan on being back tonight from the road office with either a inbox cleaning or Pirates prospects 6-10.
I have loads of posts coming up.The Pirates prospects series,the eventual Indians prospect look,a Browns draft preview,Inbox cleanings and of course the signing front....

Photo Credit;AP Photo