Karstens Roughed Up In First Start Back; Pirates Lose, 8-3
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) -- Pirates starting pitcher Jeff Karstens made his first start since mid-April Monday night and struggled, allowing seven runs in an 8-3 loss at Philadelphia.
Six of the seven runs allowed were earned. Karstens gave up 11 hits to Phillies batters.
Philadelphia got on Karstens early, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first. Hunter Pence, Carlos Ruiz, Shane Victorino and Placido Polanco each hit RBI singles in consecutive at-bats for a 4-0 Phillies (35-40) lead after one.
Jose Tabata got one of those runs back with a solo home run to right field in the third inning, but Polanco answered with an RBI single to center field in the bottom of the inning for a 5-1 Philadelphia advantage.
Pirates shortstop Clint Barmes drove in a run in the top of the fifth. Phillies shortstop hit a two-run home run to right field in the bottom of the inning for a 7-2 lead, signaling the end of Karstens' night.
Karstens wasn't helped by his teammates in the field, as Pittsburgh (38-34) totaled four errors on the night.
Andrew McCutchen added an RBI single in the fifth, and Philadelphia's Ty Wiggington walked with the bases loaded in the eighth for an 8-3 lead.
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