What else can you do but tip your cap?

Before the game even started today I was nervous for the Pirates.

Oswalts career stats vs PIT: 27 starts, 16-7, 2.50 ERA, 153 K. Not to mention, Roy is just an extremely good pitcher.

He pitched a complete game 1 hit shutout (his 2nd career shutout to the Pirates) 8K, 2BB

The only hit of the game was from Neil Walker in the 1st inning.

Oswalt is the second starter to toss a 1 hit complete game against Pittsburgh this season (CIN Johnny Cueto was the 1st)

“He had everything working,” Manager John Russell said. “He was tough. Everything he did, he did what he wanted to do.”

“His fasball was exploding out of his hand,” added first baseman Garrett Jones. “It was just getting on guys. He kept us off balance, hit his spots. He just attacked the zone. It seemed like he was a lot better than the last time we faced him.”

Pirates.com

Let’s not forget about Ohlendorf though. Despite giving up 2ER (both solo HR by Berkman) he pitched a very good game. 7IP, 7H, 2ER, 5K, 1BB.

Not only has Ohlendorf allowed only 2 ER in his past 20 inings but he’s done so with his best fastball command with increased velocity.

“I think he’s found his niche again, ” Russell said. “He’s much more compact. He’s using his lower half much better, driving the ball down. I think he’s on track now.”

“I feel really good about how I’m throwing,” Ohlendorf said. “I just need to keep it going.”

Pirates.com

Walker 1-4

McCutchen 0-3, BB

Lee 2-4

Berkman 3-4, 2 Solo HR(12)

Lance Berkman has been a Pirates killer this series. He hit 4 HR in 3 games (only 12 HR on the season) he has 26 Career Home Runs vs Pittsburgh.

• Brendan Donnelly’s home ERA is just 0.68. His road ERA? 10.95!
• The Astros are now 6-0 vs the Pirates this season.
• Today was the 9th shutout of the season for the Pirates.
• The Pirates have now lost 35 of their 46 road games this season.

The Pirates are the only ML team yet to score more than 300 runs this season. After today’s game they have scored only 272. (The Astros today scored 300 and 301.) That’s just an average of 3.24 runs per game. The Average team is right around 372 runs so far this season.

Other news:

• Marlins Josh Johnson (last 10 starts)

6-2, 0.75 ERA, opp AVG .200, 69K/ 12BB. Just 6ER in 72 IP.

• Congrats to Joey Votto and Nick Swisher. They are the winners of the final vote contest for the All-Star game.
• The White Sox defeated the Angels 1-0 in 1 hour, 50 minutes today, the second fastest game of the year. (6/2 Cle vs Det, 1 hour, 44 mins.)
• Pirates Jeff Clement (AAA Indy) hit a HR in tonights game, his 6th HR in his last 26 games.