Closest Bucs came to scoring
(c) Associated Press
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You have to feel sorry for James McDonald. The Pittsburgh ace pitched eight innings Friday night, allowed just four hits while striking out eight. On most nights, he'd be getting fist bumps for a dominant win but, instead, he took the loss in a 1-0 shutout where there were no runs batted in the entire night.
That's because the Astros' lone run came on a double play grounder by Justin Maxwell in the second inning after Brian Bogusevic and Chris Johnson each hit opposite field singles to start the frame. At the time, few would have thought the run would stand up.
Bud Norris allowed three hits over six nervous innings while striking out eight. In the fourth, Jose Tabata tripled high off the right field wall with nobody out but Norris kept the run from scoring with a big assist from Jed Lowrie who threw out Tabata at the plate for the second out.
In the sixth, the Bucs loaded the bases with nobody out but Norris escaped with two strikeouts and an infield pop as Pittsburgh fans booed like the Steeler fans they are.
From there, the law firm of Wright, Lopez and Myers foreclosed on the Pirates over the final three innings but not without more drama. After Rod Barajas singled to start the eighth off Wilton Lopez, Clint Barmes failed to bunt him over and appeared to strike out on a foul bunt but the umpires decided it was not a bunt and let him stay at the plate.
Brad Mills came out to argue and was eventually tossed. He lost the argument but won the battle when Lopez picked off the nodding pinch-runner at first when play resumed. Barmes then grounded out to Lowrie.
Houston had only four hits themselves. Lowrie had a double but was thrown out at third while Johnson had two singles.
Myers had another 1-2-3 ninth to chalk up his ninth save in nine opportunities. With the victory, the 15-17 Astros retook sole possession of third place in the NL division.
The two teams will be back at it Saturday evening at 6:05 Central. J.A. Happ (2-2) will take the mound against Charlie Morton (1-3).
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