The first game of the season for the Pirates and the Cubs turned out to be a great pitchers duel. Mike Kane and Marc Hitch**** for the Pirates, and Ron Massaroni for the Cubs.
Through the first 7 innings, Mike Kane allowed just 3 hits and two walks, while striking out 1. He changed speeds and pitched to contact about as well as anyone I have ever seen in this division. He kept the ball off the barrel of the Cubs bats all day, getting weak ground balls or pop-ups. Marc Hitch**** came on in the seventh and pitched two scoreless innings to preserve the shut out. Only three times was a Cub allowed to reach second base: Mike Girard singled and stole second base with two outs in the 1st inning; Mike Girard doubled with two outs in the 7th; and Jim McQuade and Tom Sheperdson walked with two out in the 9th. Each time Kane and Hitch**** were able to get the third out without the ball leaving the infield.
Ron Massaroni was equal to the task through the first 8 innings, allowing just 4 hits, 1 walk, and two hit batters, while striking out 7. The Pirates ninth inning rally started with Jamie Carey lifting a seemingly harmless fly ball to left. The ball was misplayed and the Pirates had their lead off hitter on first. Mike Kane then hit a check swing roller to first that turned out to be a great sacrafice bunt. Carey moved to second with one out. Ron Smaka followed with a solid RBI single that delivered the first run of the day.
Marc Hitch**** followed Ron with a single of his own. Massaroni struck out the next Pirate hitter but Chris Burnett followed with a RBI single to make the score 2-0, and Massaroni was then relieved by Steve Lounello. Lounello came through with a strike out to get out of the inning.
When the Cubs were unable to come up with any runs in the bottom of the 9th, the Pirates came away with a hard fought and well played 2-0 victory.

-- Edited by mgirard11 on Thursday 12th of May 2011 07:22:00 AM