Bucs send Westbrook packing after four, beat the red birds 5-2

The Pirates roughed up the Red Birds and sent Jake Westbrook packing early in a 5-2 victory at PNC Park on Tuesday Evening.

Westbrook’s lone start against the Pirates on September 25th didn’t end well. He went six innings giving up four runs on six hits, walked one and struck out five. The Pirates beat the Cardinals 5-2.

During the first inning, Westbrook walked two batters, nine guys came to the plate and the Pirates scored three runs on four hits. 41 pitches were thrown by Westbrook in the first inning.

“It feels very good,” said Pedro Alvarez, who came through with a key first-inning single. “This is what we go out every day and try to do. It’s nice right now that we have everything going in sync — hitting, pitching, defense — and we just need to keep it going as long as we can.”

The Pirates put two more runs on the board in the fourth inning when Tabata hit a two-RBI triple.

“Right now, everything has changed,” Tabata said. “We have a four-game stretch of winning. Everybody plays like a team … together. Everything is good right now.”

“It feels very good,” said Pedro Alvarez, who came through with a key first-inning single. “This is what we go out every day and try to do. It’s nice right now that we have everything going in sync — hitting, pitching, defense — and we just need to keep it going as long as we can.”

Westbrook was done after pitching four innings giving up five runs on five hits, walked three and struck out two.

Paul Maholm pitched a beauty for the Pirates. He went seven innings giving up two runs on seven hits and struck out four. A much needed start for Maholm who has had a very rollercoaster season.

“To me, I’m a much better pitcher than I’ve showed,” said Maholm, whose last win had been on Aug. 3. “That’s the frustrating part, because a lot of people expect me to go deep in games, and obviously, I haven’t been. Tonight felt normal, and hopefully, I can finish my last two strong.”

With the 5-2 victory, the Pirates won four-straight for the first time this season. –the last time they won four straight was in August of 2009.

“It’s good that they’re not just looking forward to that last day in Florida to head off into the offseason,” manager John Russell said. “They’re still playing hard and still competing.”

Hanrahan picked up his 18th hold in the eighth inning and Meek got his fourth save by shutting down the Cardinals in the ninth.

“I think we have a lot of talent on this team,” Alvarez said. “All I’ve seen so far is a lot of effort here, and it usually pays off. I have an optimistic view on things here.”