Suffice to say, James McDonald is winning the pitching duel at PNC Park so far on Tuesday night. McDonald has only allowed the Cardinals to pick up two hits all night while his opponent Jake Westbrook has been shellacked to the tune of a 8-0 Pirates lead in the sixth inning.
Westbrook had shown some early control issues and allowed three runs by the fifth inning, when the Pirates offense blew up. Westbrook ended up hitting his 100th pitch of the game early in the inning and couldn't keep the ball away from the hitters -- Pittsburgh scored four runs and were unlucky to score more when Andrew McCutchen grounded out with the bases loaded to end the inning.
Westbrook's dismal final line shows 11 hits, seven earned runs and four walks to only two strikeouts. Brandon Dickson has been brought in by the Cardinals from the bullpen to replace him and has given up a run already.
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