[Operation Shutdown]

Week 15
The Pirates are currently 44-42, and in fourth place in the central division, 4.5 games behind the Cubs, Cardinals, and Reds. The Pirates have a very tough schedule this week, going up against two of those top teams. They start out in Chicago with a four game series against the Cubs, who are 49-38 and whom the Pirates are 1-2 against this year. They then travel to St. Louis for a three-game set against the Cardinals who are currently 49-38 and whom the Pirates are 5-6 against this season.

Game 87: Pirates 4 Cubs 2
Benson seems to be possibly back on track again, as he pitched very well giving up just two runs in six innings for his seventh win of the season. The Pirates were down 2-1 until the sixth inning, when they managed to score three runs off of Kennedy to take the lead. Kennedy finished going seven innings and giving up all four earned runs for his fifth loss. Mann worked a 1-2-3 ninth to pick up his 16th save of the season.

Game 88: Pirates 6 Cubs 7
Perez went six innings and gave up four runs, while Clement went 7+ innings, giving up six runs, five of them earned, but neither starter got the decision. The score was tied 4-4 heading into the eighth, and the Pirates loaded the bases with nobody out against Clement. Juan Cruz then came into the game and got Mackowiak to strike out, and Davis to ground into a fielder's choice, getting the runner out at home. It seemed the Cubs would get out of the jam, but McDougall singled to left to score Wilson and Nady, but Cota struck out to end the threat. The Cubs then answered in the bottom half of the inning with two runs of their own against Vogelsong. The Pirates then threatened in the top of the 12th inning. They had runners at second and third and no one out, but Kolb got Craig Wilson to strike out swinging. He then intentionally walked Nady, and Baker then brought Beltran in to the game. He got Mackowiak to line out to the shortstop, and then got Davis to end the inning by grounding back to the mound. The Cubs made the Bucs pay for not getting a run home, when in the bottom half of the inning, with two outs, Hee Seop Choi hit a walk-off solo homerun off of Corey to win the game. Corey got the loss for the Bucs and Beltran got the win for the Cubs.

Game 89: Pirates 5 Cubs 4
Fogg pitched a pretty decent game, picking up the win while giving up four runs, two of which were earned, in seven innings of work. Zambrano also pitched seven innings for the Cubs and gave up just two runs but did not get the decision. The Pirates were trailing 4-1 heading into the eighth inning, and led the inning off with a walk by House off of Zambrano. Kolb then came into the game and gave up a pinch-hit single to Rivera. Juan Cruz then came in and gave up a single to Kotsay that scored House and the Pirates had first and second with no outs. Nady then hit a pinch-hit three run homerun off of Cruz to give the Pirates the lead. The Pirates never looked back and the bullpen pitched two scoreless innings with Mann picking up his 17th save of the season. Cruz got the loss for the Cubs.

Game 90: Pirates 3 Cubs 1
This was another very close game that the Pirates just inched out a victory in. Williams pitched very well, giving up just one run in six innings. The score was tied at 1-1 heading into the eighth innings. With two outs and runner on first and second Wilton Chavez was pulled from the game. Cruz then came in and walked House to load the bases. Tony Alvarez then hit a pinch hit single scoring Wilson and Davis to give the Pirates the lead. Both runs were charged to Cruz, who got the loss working 7 2/3 innings. Cruz then got Kotsay to ground out to end the threat. The Cubs threatened in the bottom of the ninth, when with runners at first and second with two outs, Joe Beimel got Choi to ground out to the first baseman to end the game. Vogelsong picked up the win for the Bucs pitching a scoreless seventh inning, and Beimel got the save.

Series Recap: The Pirates are inching closer and closer in the central division, winning three of four from the former first place Cubs. It's now on to face the first place Cardinals.

Game 91: Pirates 7 Cardinals 8
This game was a very tough loss for the Pirates. Maddux went 7 2/3 innings giving up five runs, while Haren went 5 2/3 innings giving up six runs and neither starter got the decision. The Pirates were leading the game 7-2 heading into the eighth inning. Then everything went to hell after two outs in the inning. Pujols came to the plate with one man on, and hit a two run homer off of Maddux. Edmonds then followed with a single, and then Corey came in and gave up a two run homerun to Scott Rolen. Travis Lee then followed with a solo homerun, again off Corey, to tie the game at 7-7. Vogelsong then came in and got Vina to ground out to end the inning. The Pirates put up a bit of an effort in the ninth with two singles, but with two outs McDougall flew out to shallow left field to end the threat. Vogelsong then got one quick out in the bottom half of the inning, before Eusebio reached base on an error by the third baseman. Mann then came in and gave up a single to JD Drew, and followed that by giving up another single to Wilson Delgado. Eusebio scored the game winning run on a play at the plate where House was barely not able to tag Eusebio as he slid past into home plate. Vogelsong was credited with the loss for the Bucs, while Curdale got the win for the Cards.

Game 92: Pirates 4 Cardinals 7
Benson continues his rollercoaster struggles, with another poor outing, giving up five runs in six innings for his 8th loss of the season. On the other hand, Loaiza continues his story book season, picking up his 5th win, this after not even pitching last year, and giving up four runs in 7 2/3 innings. The Pirates somewhat threatened in the ninth, drawing two walks from Isringhausen after two outs, but Linebrink came in to finish things off by getting Rivera to fly out to end the game and earning him the save.

Game 93: Pirates 3 Cardinals 1
The Pirates snapped the Cardinals six game winning streak, thanks to a valiant effort by Perez, who went seven innings, giving up just one run for his 10th win of the season. The Pirates scored three runs, two of them earned, off of Jimmy Journell. Mann pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his 18th save of the season.

Around the league, on Tuesday White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle threw his second shutout of the season, a two hitter against the Angels, as the White Sox went on to win the game 10-0.