Game 5 - Queen Me

PIRATES WIN 10-2

Anytime the Pirates visit Great American Ballpark, the home runs start flying. Whether they come from the Pirates or the Reds is the question. Today, they came from the Pirates, specifically Nate McLouth, Ryan Doumit, and Adam LaRoche, on the way to a 10-2 victory. Doumit's home run came in the 9th inning with the bases loaded, giving him his first career Grand Slam to cap off a 3-5 day. Paul Maholm continued his good work with seven strong innings, giving up only one run on three hits, with three strikeouts. The win assures the Pirates of at least a .500 record when they play the home opener Monday.

Game recap:

The Bucs got to Reds starter Johnny Cueto early, as Nyjer Morgan led off the game with a single and promptly stole second, setting up Nate McLouth's homer. It was only the second hit of McLouth's season so far, both of which were home runs, but McLouth would go 2-3 with two walks and two runs scored today. Maholm cruised early, retiring the first eleven batters and making Joey Votto look silly. In the top of the 4th, Jack Wilson doubled off the top of the left field wall, scoring Brandon Moss (who had just doubled). Then, with the defense playing in, Nyjer Morgan put one over Willy Taveras' head deep in center for a triple that scored Wilson and put the Pirates up 4-0. That's all the scoring Maholm would need, who cruised through 7 innings, only giving up a run in the 7th when Jay Bruce grounded out and Brandon Phillips scored. The Pirates blew the game open in the 9th and left no doubt. Doumit's Grand Slam came off former Pirate Mike Lincoln, after Lincoln had given up three walks and a single in the inning. Adam LaRoche followed Doumit with a solo homer of his own just for good measure, and just to prove that he could actually hit the ball in April. The Reds got a run off of rookie Jesse Chavez in the 9th, but the outcome was already decided. Cincinnati sucks.

Pirates improve to 3-2 on the season, 3-2 on the road, 3-2 in the division, and 1-0 against Cincinnati.

The three stars (in honor of John):

#1 Paul Maholm (2)
#2 Ryan Doumit (1)
#3 Nate McLouth (1)

Not so much:

#1 Andy LaRoche (3)

The Pirates will go for the short series sweep tomorrow afternoon at 1:10, where Ian Snell will look to bounce back from a bad first start. The Reds will counter with their ace Aaron Harang.