Batch, Steelers Win In Tampa

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Charlie Batch stepped up for the Steelers, throwing three touchdowns in a 38-13 win over Tampa Bay.

Batch got off to a rough start, throwing an interception on his first pass of the game that eventually became three points for the Buccaneers.  But, before the end of the first half Batch managed to throw touchdowns of 46 and 41 yards to Mike Wallace and a third TD to Hines Ward from 9 yards out.  Batch finished 12 of 17 for 186 yards.

Rashard Mendenhall picked up 143 yards on the ground and punched in a 3-yard touchdown in the second quarter.  The touchdown was made possible by a 24-yard Batch gallop on third-and-six to keep the drive alive.

Jeff Reed nailed a 24-yard field goal in the third quarter and then the Steelers' defense contributed six points in the form of a 79-yard interception return by defensive end Brett Keisel on the first play of the fourth.

The Steelers are now 3-0 despite the absence of Ben Roethlisberger, who has one game remaining in his four game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.