GAME THREAD: NL: PITTSBURGH (54-71) at COLORADO (64-62)

NL: PITTSBURGH at COLORADO

<div class="pre">NL AT COLORADO - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: A LaRoche at first base.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: PITTSBURGH 5
COLORADO 1 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR COLORADO: Y Torrealba (.269, 1-FOR-2)</div>

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at COLORADO

<div class="pre">NL AT COLORADO - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: B Hawpe hit for M Corpas.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 2 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: PITTSBURGH 5
COLORADO 1 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR COLORADO: B Hawpe (.290, 22 HR, 84 RBI)</div>

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at COLORADO

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
PITTSBURGH 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 10 0
COLORADO 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 8 1 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: PIT - PAUL MAHOLM, SHAWN CHACON (8TH), MATT CAPPS (9TH) AND CARLOS
MALDONADO

COL - FRANKLIN MORALES, JEREMY AFFELDT (5TH), JORGE
JULIO (6TH), LATROY HAWKINS (8TH), MANNY CORPAS (9TH) AND
YORVIT TORREALBA

HOME RUNS: PIT - NONE

COL - NONE</div>

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at COLORADO

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
PITTSBURGH 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 10 0
COLORADO 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 8 1 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: PIT - PAUL MAHOLM, SHAWN CHACON (8TH), MATT CAPPS (9TH) AND CARLOS
MALDONADO

COL - FRANKLIN MORALES, JEREMY AFFELDT (5TH), JORGE
JULIO (6TH), LATROY HAWKINS (8TH), MANNY CORPAS (9TH) AND
YORVIT TORREALBA


WP - PAUL MAHOLM (10-14)
LP - FRANKLIN MORALES (0-1)
SAVE - NONE

HOME RUNS: PIT - NONE

COL - NONE


TIME: 2:50 ATT: 20,380

PROBABLES: WAS - SHAWN HILL (3-3, 2.43)
COL - JEFF FRANCIS (13-6, 4.38)

PROBABLES: PIT - IAN SNELL (8-10, 3.93)
HOU - MATT ALBERS (3-6, 6.14)</div>

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at COLORADO

<div class="pre">PITTSBURGH (5) VS COLORADO (1) - FINAL

PITTSBURGH ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
N McLouth cf 3 0 0 0 2 2 0 .253
J Wilson ss 5 1 2 0 0 1 1 .272
F Sanchez 2b 4 3 2 0 1 1 3 .309
J Phelps 1b 5 1 4 3 0 1 1 .432
M Capps p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.000
J Bay lf 4 0 1 1 1 2 2 .250
J Bautista rf 3 0 1 1 2 1 2 .261
M Kata 3b 5 0 0 0 0 0 4 .268
C Maldonado c 2 0 0 0 2 0 1 .000
P Maholm p 3 0 0 0 0 1 5 .185
a-J Castillo ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .247
S Chacon p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .273
A LaRoche 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .264

Totals 35 5 10 5 8 9 19

a-grounded to second for P Maholm in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - J Phelps 2 (3, F Morales 2); J Wilson (21, F Morales); F Sanchez
(35, M Corpas). RBI - J Phelps 3 (14), J Bautista (45), J Bay (81). 2-out RBI -
J Phelps, J Bautista. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M Kata 2, J
Phelps 1, F Sanchez 2, J Bay 1, P Maholm 3. GIDP - M Kata. Team LOB - 11.

BASERUNNING: Picked Off - P Maholm (1st base, F Morales).

FIELDING: DP: 2 (J Wilson-F Sanchez-J Phelps, P Maholm-J Wilson-J Phelps).


COLORADO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
K Matsui 2b 4 0 1 0 0 1 1 .287
T Tulowitzki ss 4 0 1 0 0 1 1 .293
M Holliday lf 4 0 1 0 0 1 2 .335
T Helton 1b 2 1 1 0 2 0 0 .299
G Atkins 3b 4 0 2 0 0 1 2 .280
R Spilborghs cf 4 0 0 1 0 1 5 .315
Y Torrealba c 3 0 1 0 1 2 2 .269
J Carroll rf 4 0 0 0 0 1 4 .222
F Morales p 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .333
J Affeldt p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-C Sullivan ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .307
J Julio p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
b-I Stewart ph 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .333
L Hawkins p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
M Corpas p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
c-B Hawpe ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .289

Totals 33 1 8 1 3 9 17

a-flied out to center for J Affeldt in the 5th; b-doubled to deep left center
for J Julio in the 7th; c-struck out swinging for M Corpas in the 9th.

BATTING: 2B - T Tulowitzki (22, P Maholm); I Stewart (2, P Maholm). RBI - R
Spilborghs (45). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Carroll 1, M
Holliday 1, K Matsui 1, R Spilborghs 1. GIDP - M Holliday, J Carroll. Team LOB
- 8.

FIELDING: E - T Tulowitzki (11, throw). DP: 1 (G Atkins-Y Torrealba-T
Helton).


----------------------------------------------------
PITTSBURGH - 103 000 001 -- 5
COLORADO - 000 100 000 -- 1
----------------------------------------------------

PITTSBURGH ip h r er bb so hr era
P Maholm (W, 10-14) 7 7 1 1 2 5 0 4.39
S Chacon (H, 8) 1 1 0 0 1 2 0 4.17
M Capps 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 2.25

COLORADO ip h r er bb so hr era
F Morales (L, 0-1) 4 7 4 4 5 2 0 4.82
J Affeldt 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 3.28
J Julio 2 0 0 0 1 3 0 4.75
L Hawkins 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.56
M Corpas 1 3 1 0 0 2 0 2.12

F Morales pitched to 2 batters in the 5th.

WP - P Maholm, J Julio. IBB - C Maldonado (by J Affeldt). Pitches-strikes: P
Maholm 89-58; S Chacon 25-15; M Capps 14-11; F Morales 89-49; J Affeldt 17-8; J
Julio 25-17; L Hawkins 10-6; M Corpas 22-16. Ground balls-fly balls: P Maholm
11-5; S Chacon 0-1; M Capps 1-0; F Morales 8-1; J Affeldt 2-0; J Julio 1-2; L
Hawkins 2-0; M Corpas 1-0. Batters faced: P Maholm 28; S Chacon 5; M Capps 3; F
Morales 23; J Affeldt 4; J Julio 7; L Hawkins 3; M Corpas 6.

UMPIRES: HP--Brian Knight. 1B--Eric Cooper. 2B--Andy Fletcher. 3B--Mike
Reilly.

T--2:50. Att--20,380.
Weather: 70 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 8 mph, right
to left.</div>

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at COLORADO

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NL
PITTSBURGH 5
COLORADO 1 FINAL</div>

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at COLORADO

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PITTSBURGH (5) AT COLORADO (1) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PITTSBURGH 1ST: N McLouth struck out swinging. J Wilson grounded out to
shortstop. F Sanchez walked. J Phelps doubled to deep left, F Sanchez scored,
J Phelps to third advancing on throw. J Bay struck out looking. (1 Run, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 1, COLORADO 0.

PITTSBURGH 3RD: N McLouth grounded out to first. J Wilson reached on
infield single to shortstop. F Sanchez singled to right, J Wilson to third.
J Phelps doubled to deep left center, J Wilson and F Sanchez scored. J Bay
grounded out to third. J Bautista singled to center, J Phelps scored, J
Bautista to second advancing on throw. M Kata grounded out to third. (3 Runs,
4 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 4, COLORADO 0.

COLORADO 4TH: T Helton singled to left. T Helton to second on wild pitch
by P Maholm. G Atkins flied out to center, T Helton to third. R Spilborghs
grounded out to second, T Helton scored. Y Torrealba walked. J Carroll
grounded into fielder's choice to second, Y Torrealba out at second. (1 Run,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 4, COLORADO 1.

PITTSBURGH 9TH: M Corpas relieved L Hawkins. J Wilson struck out swinging.
F Sanchez doubled to right. J Phelps reached on infield single to shortstop,
F Sanchez to third on throwing error by shortstop T Tulowitzki. J Bay reached
on infield single to third, F Sanchez scored, J Phelps to second. J Bautista
struck out swinging. M Kata grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, J Bay
out at second. (1 Run, 3 Hits, 1 Error) PITTSBURGH 5, COLORADO 1.</div>

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at COLORADO

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PITTSBURGH (5) AT COLORADO (1) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pittsburgh Starting Lineups -- N McLouth CF, J Wilson SS, F Sanchez 2B,
J Phelps 1B, J Bay LF, J Bautista RF, M Kata 3B, C Maldonado C, P Maholm LHP.

Colorado Starting Lineups -- K Matsui 2B, T Tulowitzki SS, M Holliday LF,
T Helton 1B, G Atkins 3B, R Spilborghs CF, Y Torrealba C, J Carroll RF, F Morales P.

Umpires -- Brian Knight (HP), Eric Cooper (1B), Andy Fletcher (2B), Mike Reilly (3B).

Gametime Weather: 70 degrees, Partly Cloudy, wind right to left at 8 mph.


PITTSBURGH 1ST: N McLouth struck out swinging. J Wilson grounded out to
shortstop. F Sanchez walked. J Phelps doubled to deep left, F Sanchez scored,
J Phelps to third advancing on throw. J Bay struck out looking. (1 Run, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 1, COLORADO 0.

COLORADO 1ST: K Matsui reached on infield single to shortstop.
T Tulowitzki flied out to left. M Holliday grounded into double play,
shortstop to second to first, K Matsui out at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 1, COLORADO 0.

PITTSBURGH 2ND: J Bautista walked. M Kata grounded out to third,
J Bautista to second. C Maldonado flied out to left. P Maholm grounded
out to pitcher. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 1, COLORADO 0.

COLORADO 2ND: T Helton walked. G Atkins singled to left, T Helton to
second. R Spilborghs struck out swinging. Y Torrealba struck out swinging.
J Carroll struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 1,
COLORADO 0.

PITTSBURGH 3RD: N McLouth grounded out to first. J Wilson reached on
infield single to shortstop. F Sanchez singled to right, J Wilson to third.
J Phelps doubled to deep left center, J Wilson and F Sanchez scored. J Bay
grounded out to third. J Bautista singled to center, J Phelps scored, J
Bautista to second advancing on throw. M Kata grounded out to third. (3 Runs,
4 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 4, COLORADO 0.

COLORADO 3RD: F Morales grounded out to third. K Matsui grounded out to
second. T Tulowitzki doubled to deep left. M Holliday grounded out to
shortstop. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 4, COLORADO 0.

PITTSBURGH 4TH: C Maldonado walked. P Maholm bunted into fielder's choice
to catcher, C Maldonado out at second. P Maholm picked off first. N McLouth
walked. J Wilson doubled to left, N McLouth to third. F Sanchez grounded out
to third. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 4, COLORADO 0.

COLORADO 4TH: T Helton singled to left. T Helton to second on wild pitch
by P Maholm. G Atkins flied out to center, T Helton to third. R Spilborghs
grounded out to second, T Helton scored. Y Torrealba walked. J Carroll
grounded into fielder's choice to second, Y Torrealba out at second. (1 Run,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 4, COLORADO 1.

PITTSBURGH 5TH: J Phelps singled to center. J Bay walked, J Phelps to
second. J Affeldt relieved F Morales. J Bautista walked, J Phelps to third,
J Bay to second. M Kata grounded into double play, third to catcher to first,
J Phelps out at home, J Bay to third, J Bautista to second. C Maldonado
intentionally walked. P Maholm struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
PITTSBURGH 4, COLORADO 1.

COLORADO 5TH: C Sullivan hit for J Affeldt. C Sullivan flied out to center.
K Matsui flied out to left. T Tulowitzki grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 4, COLORADO 1.

PITTSBURGH 6TH: J Julio relieved J Affeldt. N McLouth walked. J Wilson
popped out to second. N McLouth to third on wild pitch by J Julio. F Sanchez
struck out swinging. J Phelps struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
PITTSBURGH 4, COLORADO 1.

COLORADO 6TH: M Holliday struck out swinging. T Helton lined out to left.
G Atkins singled to left. R Spilborghs grounded into fielder's choice to
shortstop, G Atkins out at second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 4,
COLORADO 1.

PITTSBURGH 7TH: J Bay struck out swinging. J Bautista lined out to second.
M Kata grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 4,
COLORADO 1.

COLORADO 7TH: Y Torrealba singled to center. J Carroll grounded into
double play, pitcher to shortstop to first, Y Torrealba out at second.
I Stewart hit for J Julio. I Stewart doubled to deep left center. K Matsui
struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 4, COLORADO 1.

PITTSBURGH 8TH: L Hawkins relieved J Julio. C Maldonado grounded out to
second. J Castillo hit for P Maholm. J Castillo grounded out to second.
N McLouth struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 4,
COLORADO 1.

COLORADO 8TH: S Chacon relieved P Maholm. T Tulowitzki struck out swinging.
M Holliday singled to center. T Helton walked, M Holliday to second.
G Atkins struck out swinging. R Spilborghs popped out to shortstop. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 4, COLORADO 1.

PITTSBURGH 9TH: M Corpas relieved L Hawkins. J Wilson struck out swinging.
F Sanchez doubled to right. J Phelps reached on infield single to shortstop,
F Sanchez to third on throwing error by shortstop T Tulowitzki. J Bay reached
on infield single to third, F Sanchez scored, J Phelps to second. J Bautista
struck out swinging. M Kata grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, J Bay
out at second. (1 Run, 3 Hits, 1 Error) PITTSBURGH 5, COLORADO 1.

COLORADO 9TH: M Capps relieved S Chacon. A LaRoche at first base.
Y Torrealba struck out looking. J Carroll grounded out to third. B Hawpe
hit for M Corpas. B Hawpe struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
PITTSBURGH 5, COLORADO 1.</div>

 

Phelps leads Pirates over Rockies

<h3>PITTSBURGH 5, COLORADO 1</h3>DENVER (Ticker) -- The Colorado Rockies will not be in theNational League wild-card race much longer if they keep losingto teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates.


Josh Phelps drove in three runs and had a career-high four hitsas the Pirates defeated the Rockies, 5-1, in the finale of afour-game series.


The last place team in the NL Central, Pittsburgh took threegames in the series to knock the Rockies (64-63) four games backof the wild-card leading San Diego Padres (67-58), who playlater Thursday.


Pirates starter Paul Maholm (10-14) pitched seven strong inningsallowing one run, seven hits and two walks while striking outfive. It was the third consecutive win for the lefthander inhis Coors Field debut.


Despite allowing a single and walk, Shawn Chacon tossed ascoreless eighth inning and Matt Capps pitched a perfect ninthto preserve the win.


Phelps provided the bulk of Pittsburgh offense, beginning hisday with an RBI double in the first. After consecutive singlesby Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez with one out in the fourth,Phelps drove in both runners with his second double in as manyat-bats.


Jose Bautista made it a 4-0 game with a two-out single to platePhelps later in the frame. Jason Bay also drove in a run forPittsburgh, which has won five of its last six games.

In his second career start, Colorado's Franklin Morales (0-1)lasted four-plus innings allowing four runs, seven hits and fivewalks while striking out two.


After allowing a single to Phelps and a walk to Bay to start thefifth inning the 21-year-old was replaced by Jeremy Affeldt whoeventually got out of the jam with a double play.


Colorado's Garrett Atkins had two hits and Matt Holliday singledto extend his hitting streak to 13 games though the team'soffense continues to struggle as a whole. The team has scoredthree runs or less in four of its last five games.

 

Phelps leads Pirates over Rockies

<h3>PITTSBURGH 5, COLORADO 1</h3>DENVER (Ticker) -- The Colorado Rockies will not be in theNational League wild-card race much longer if they keep losingto teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates.


Josh Phelps drove in three runs and had a career-high four hitsas the Pirates defeated the Rockies, 5-1, in the finale of afour-game series.


The last place team in the NL Central, Pittsburgh took threegames in the series to knock the Rockies (64-63) four games backof the wild-card leading San Diego Padres (67-58), who playlater Thursday. Colorado has lost six of eight and nine of 14overall.


"We can't let our confidence get shaken with the way we haveplayed the last 10 days," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said."We need to put our foot down and get back on the right track.This team has proven that they can put a long streak together... We've got to play threw this, we still plan on making theplayoffs."


Pirates starter Paul Maholm (10-14) pitched seven strong inningsallowing one run, seven hits and two walks while striking outfive. It was the third consecutive win for the lefthander inhis Coors Field debut.


Despite allowing a single and walk, Shawn Chacon tossed ascoreless eighth inning and Matt Capps pitched a perfect ninthto preserve the win.


"It is definitely frustrating," Colorado rookie shortstop TroyTulowitzki said. "Especially when you felt like this is a teamyou should beat. We didn't have it offensively."


Phelps provided the bulk of Pittsburgh offense, beginning hisday with an RBI double in the first. After consecutive singlesby Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez with one out in the fourth,Phelps drove in both runners with his second double in as manyat-bats.


"I'm ready when I get up there," said Phelps, who hit the firstpitch he saw in the fourth. "I don't waste time and I take theapproach of taking a good rip at the first thing I think I canhandle. After that, I just let it fall where it may."

Claimed off waivers from the New York Yankees in June, Phelpsadded that he is pleased to be contributing.


"It's days like this when the manager needs you and you do wellthat gives you confidence," he said. "There's times when youhit in the four spot and you get pitched around. It didn'thappen like that today."


Jose Bautista made it a 4-0 game with a two-out single to platePhelps later in the frame. Jason Bay also drove in a run forPittsburgh, which has won five of its last six games.

In his second career start, Colorado's Franklin Morales (0-1)lasted four-plus innings allowing four runs, seven hits and fivewalks while striking out two.


"Overall his command wasn't too sharp but I don't know if thatwas just because he was a little too geared up," Hurdle said."That is part of what you need to factor in."


After allowing a single to Phelps and a walk to Bay to start thefifth inning the 21-year-old was replaced by Jeremy Affeldt whoeventually got out of the jam with a double play.


Colorado's Garrett Atkins had two hits and Matt Holliday singledto extend his hitting streak to 13 games though the team'soffense continues to struggle as a whole. The team has scoredthree runs or less in four of its last five games.

 

Phelps leads Pirates over Rockies

<h3>PITTSBURGH 5, COLORADO 1</h3>DENVER (Ticker) -- The Colorado Rockies will not be in theNational League wild-card race much longer if they keep losingto teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates.


Josh Phelps drove in three runs and had a career-high four hitsas the Pirates defeated the Rockies, 5-1, in the finale of afour-game series Thursday.


The last place team in the National League Central Division,Pittsburgh took three games in the series to knock Colorado(64-63) 4 1/2 games behind the wild-card leading San DiegoPadres (68-58), who outlasted the New York Mets in 10 inningsThursday. Colorado has lost six of eight and nine of 14overall.


"We can't let our confidence get shaken with the way we haveplayed the last 10 days," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "Weneed to put our foot down and get back on the right track. Thisteam has proven that they can put a long streak together ...We've got to play threw this, we still plan on making theplayoffs."


Pirates starter Paul Maholm (10-14) pitched seven strong inningsallowing one run, seven hits and two walks while striking outfive. It was the third consecutive win for the lefthander inhis Coors Field debut.


Despite allowing a single and walk, Shawn Chacon tossed ascoreless eighth inning and Matt Capps pitched a perfect ninthto preserve the win.


"It is definitely frustrating," Colorado rookie shortstop TroyTulowitzki said. "Especially when you felt like this is a teamyou should beat. We didn't have it offensively."


Phelps provided the bulk of Pittsburgh offense, beginning hisday with an RBI double in the first. After consecutive singlesby Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez with one out in the fourth,Phelps drove in both runners with his second double in as manyat-bats.


"I'm ready when I get up there," said Phelps, who hit the firstpitch he saw in the fourth. "I don't waste time and I take theapproach of taking a good rip at the first thing I think I canhandle. After that, I just let it fall where it may."

Claimed off waivers from the New York Yankees in June, Phelpsadded that he is pleased to be contributing.


"It's days like this when the manager needs you and you do wellthat gives you confidence," he said. "There's times when youhit in the four spot and you get pitched around. It didn'thappen like that today."


Jose Bautista made it a 4-0 game with a two-out single to platePhelps later in the frame. Jason Bay also drove in a run forPittsburgh, which has won five of its last six games.

In his second career start, Colorado's Franklin Morales (0-1)lasted four-plus innings allowing four runs, seven hits and fivewalks while striking out two.


"Overall his command wasn't too sharp but I don't know if thatwas just because he was a little too geared up," Hurdle said."That is part of what you need to factor in."


After allowing a single to Phelps and a walk to Bay to start thefifth inning the 21-year-old was replaced by Jeremy Affeldt whoeventually got out of the jam with a double play.


Colorado's Garrett Atkins had two hits and Matt Holliday singledto extend his hitting streak to 13 games though the team'soffense continues to struggle as a whole. The team has scoredthree runs or less in four of its last five games.