Duke outduels Santana in 2-1 win over Mets

If someone would have bet me a million dollars that the Pirates would beat Johan Santana by two solo-homeruns by Lastings Milledge and Jose Tabata, I would have shook on it.

Fortunatley for me, I didn’t. That is exactly how the Pirates beat the Mets in game three of the series, 2-1. Milledge who hit his fourth on the year and Tabata with his third, aren’t exactly known for being “power guys”. Although, Jose Tabata being just 22, will gain more power as he gets older.

 

Zach Duke and Johan Santana both pitched great games but it was Duke that outdueled Santana. Zach who hasn’t won a game in four starts and hadn’t yielded as little as one run in his previous 11 starts, pitched seven innings, giving up one run on five hits, struck out five and walked two.

Evan Meek came in the eighth inning, gave up no hits or runs but walked one. He picked up his 11th hold on the season.

Joel Hanrahan picked up his second save as a Bucco, pitching a scoreless inning, striking out one.

“It’s good to see a well-pitched game and actually win one,” manager John Russell said. “We played an all-around good game.” 

“I really felt from the first inning on my location was good with all my pitches and I was able to mix them up,” Duke said. “The fact that I was able to bounce back after the run in the first inning really got the momentum in our favor.

“Then those two home runs were just huge for us,” he added. “Thankfully we were able to get the win that we needed.”  

 

 

Tabata’s home run was especially meaningful. The game was to be televised in his home country, and Jose talked to his Mother before the game.

I told her everyone in Venezuela will be watching the game, and I want you to see the game because I’ll do something special for you, Mom,” Tabata recalled saying. “And thank God for the home run.”  

Just minutes after the game ended, Tabata had received a phone call from his mother.

“She was so happy, like, ‘Wow, my son hit the home run,’” Tabata said. “She said, ‘You told me you’d do something — not the home run, but something — and thank you God, hit the home run.’

 

 

 

Santana pitched eight innings, gave up four hits, two runs, one walk and struck out nine. He is now 10-8 on the year.

 

Monday’s Pitching Matchup:

Kyle Lohse 1-5, 6.79 ERA

VS

Ross Ohlendorf 1-10, 3.90 ERA

Lohse is coming back from a two-month DL stint. He was rocked for seven runs in three innings on six hits and two walks his last start against the Cubs.

Ohlendorf has a 2.35 ERA over his last 10 starts, though lack of run support he is just 1-4 during that span. He lasted a career-long eight innings in his last start against the Marlins.

 

 

 

Lou Piniella today stepped down as Cubs Manager to take care of his ill mother. As a fan of the game, I respect sweet Lou and wish him nothing best the best. His press conference was very emotional. If you missed it, you can watch the video here.

  

 Piniella tips his cap to the fans as his last day as manager.

 

Happier news, Vin Scully has annouced he will be back for 2011 season, his 62nd year as the Dodgers annoucer. (He is by far, my favorite)

Vinny addressing the Media earlier today.