SB Nation Pittsburgh - Pirates Vs. Marlins: Florida Wins 9-5, Sweeps Serieshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48827/pitt-fv.png2011-04-22T05:09:29-04:00http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/rss/stream/18894972011-04-22T05:09:29-04:002011-04-22T05:09:29-04:00Pirates Vs. Marlins: Pirates Swept, But Pedro Alvarez Has Big Game
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/teams/florida-marlins">Florida Marlins</a> completed a sweep of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pittsburgh Pirates</a> Thursday night, winning 9-5.</p>
<p><span>James McDonald</span> continued to struggle for the Pirates, allowing eight runs in three innings, including a grand slam by <span>Scott Cousins</span> and a three-run homer by <span>Brett Hayes</span>. McDonald now has a 10.13 <span class="caps">ERA</span> on the season, including five home runs and 12 walks in 18.2 innings.</p>
<p><span>Chris Volstad</span> picked up the win for the Marlins despite allowing five runs in 5.1 innings. In a bit of good news for the Bucs, <span>Pedro Alvarez</span> hit his first homer of the year (in the second inning) and went 3-for-4, including a double and single in addition to the homer. Alvarez’s funk has held the Pirates back so far, and if he can break out of it, they’ll be a much better team.</p>
<p>There’s still McDonald’s awful pitching to figure out, unfortunately. He was the Pirates’ best pitcher down the stretch last year, but in 2011 he has been horrible.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-pirates/2011/4/22/2126486/pirates-vs-marlins-pirates-swept-pedro-alvarez-james-mcdonaldCharlie Wilmoth2011-04-21T17:25:04-04:002011-04-21T17:25:04-04:00Pirates Vs. Marlins: Andrew McCutchen Returns To Lineup
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<p>After consecutive 6-0 defeats, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pirates</a> will attempt to show some sign on life Thursday night in their series finale against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/teams/florida-marlins">Florida Marlins</a>.</p>
<p>The Pirates were shut down on consecutive nights by Josh Johnson and <span>Ricky Nolasco</span>, mustering almost no offense in their past two games.</p>
<p>Starting for the Pirates will be <span>James McDonald</span>, who has struggled so far this season, allowing 12 runs combined in his last two starts, against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Reds</a>.</p>
<p>The Marlins' starter will be <span>Chris Volstad</span>, an enormous 6-foot-8 hurler who nonetheless isn't a power pitcher - his average fastball this year has been <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=9901&position=P">a little under 90 MPH</a>. He allowed five runs in his last start, against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a>, and has four strikeouts and six walks in two starts this season so far.</p>
<p><span>Andrew McCutchen</span>, who missed Wednesday night's game because his father had been hospitalized, will <a href="http://www.postgazette.com/pg/11111/1140991-100.stm">rejoin the Pirates' lineup Thursday</a>.</p>
<p>The Pirates will return home to begin a series against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a> on Friday.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2011/4/21/2333919/pirates-vs-marlins-andrew-mccutchen-returns-to-lineupCharlie Wilmoth