Bucs Redd Up

Hey, the Pirates looked like Pittsburgh's famous Redd Up Crew, raking the Cincy Reds like a lot full of litter on the way to a 10-2 victory.

The game wasn't comfortably cleaned up until a five run Pittsburgh ninth, primed by Ryan Doumit's grand slam, but Paul Maholm hit just one speed bump on the road to his first win of the year. The lefty spun seven innings, giving up three hits, walking a pair, and striking out three. He surrendered his only run in the seventh, when a lead-off walk, stolen base, and pair of ground outs cost him a shutout bid.

Nyjer Morgan looked like the energizer bunny on steroids today, banging out three hits including a triple, scoring twice, driving home a run, stealing two sacks, taking out 2B Brandon Phillips on a double-play ball to keep a big inning alive, and bowling over catcher Ramon Hernandez like he was dishing out a body check in his first love, hockey.

Besides Doumit's grand salami, Nate McLouth homered and had 3 RBI, and Adam LaRoche, after flying out to the fence and track in center, finally got one over the right field wall in the ninth.

It was a pretty well pitched and played game until the ninth. Jay Bruce threw out Freddy Sanchez at the plate, and Brandon Moss returned the favor by gunning out Joey Votto. Outfielders were running down balls all over the lot, and the infielders were making all the plays.

The game must have lasted an inning too long for the gray cells, though, as Jack Wilson got picked off first during the top of the inning with a nine run lead, and Bruce ended the game with a big-time bone-head play when he was doubled off first after McLouth ran down a shot to center and the Reds down by eight runs.

The Bucs send mystery man Ian Snell to the hill tomorrow to face Aaron Harang. Then it's finally home for Monday afternoon's lid lifter, with Zach Duke taking on the Astro's Brian Moehler.