Man Bites Dog

The final score of tonight's Pirates-Phillies game: 3-2.

GROAN.

But wait! In a jaw-dropping development, the Pirates won a one-run game!

And with that, they also recorded their 30th victory of the season. Nine of them (30%) have been of the single-run variety. On the other hand, 25 of their 58 losses (43%) have been by one run.

We've lambasted our Buccos for the last three weeks, so let's be fair and give credit where credit is due. We've been begging for a starting pitcher to throw a shoulder to the wheel, and Ian Snell did that tonight, going seven innings and giving up just one run in recording his eighth win of the season. We've been asking for the team to make a play when it counts, and Jack Wilson did so, throwing out Jimmy Rollins on a relay to save a run in the fifth.

Okay. The Phillies have played just as ineptly as the Pirates in the past month, going 8-20. No matter. The Buccos got a road win, a one-run win, a solid starting performance and timely plays. Let's check our reservations at the door.

1985 update: Tonight's win, coupled with the 7-5 loss to the Mets on Thursday (Thanks to Jonah Bayless for his flawless portrayal of Ryan Vogelsong in that one), leaves the Pirates 30-58. Goal for the remaining games: 28-46 (.377).