Big win over Detroit could fuel the Pirates

Just a few days ago, Pirates fans were facing terms with a familiar reality after their team lost its’ sixth straight game, shortly after breaking the 500. barrier. However, since falling to 18-23, the Bucs have won three straight, including a two-game series sweep against the division rival Reds.

Friday night, the Pirates put up nine runs between innings 6-8, and defeated the Detroit Tigers 10-1. Jeff Karstens earned the win, pitching six solid innings and giving up only three hits. Jose Tabata and Garrett Jones both had two hits, while Lyle Overbay, and Neil Walker had homers on the night. Walker also reeled in five RBI’s.

This may have been the best overall game that the Pirates have played all year. It just goes to show what solid pitching, and consistency at the plate can do for even a struggling ball club.

In the MLB, there is hardly any time for a club to regroup. When a team hits a losing streak in the NFL- or even the NBA and NHL- they are normally given a few days, sometimes even a week to re-gather their thoughts, and focus on what is to come. In baseball, however, a team is rarely given the opportunity to do so, considering they play just about every night. So in order to bounce back from a losing streak in the MLB, a team must find some sort of “confidence booster” between games in order to regain their composure.

This big win at home could have been exactly what the Pirates needed to turn it all around.