Brooklyn 4 Pittsburgh 3

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Pittsburgh hung a 7-2 loss on first place Brooklyn in game one of the series. Curt McDonald turned his personal misfortunes against Brooklyn around with a great route going performance.

McDonald was 0-2 with a 5.95 ERA in his two previous starts this season against this team. He made some adjustments and was able to go all nine innings allowing two runs on seven hits surviving eight walks and recording six strikeouts.

McDonald went nine innings allowed seven hits two runs, both earned, walked 8 and struck out 6.

Brian Arguao hit his 8th homerun and drove in two runs in support McDonald.

Brooklyn needed a win in game to set up a rubber game in the finale

The scoring was back and forth for most of the game with Pittsburgh coming from behind twice to tie the score but they were just not able to put anything together in the late inning while the number one offensive team did.

Pittsburgh scored in the second inning to take a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Two walks issued by Mike Mirabelli and a single by Joe Hansen drove in Luis Robinson, one of the two walks, put Pittsburgh ahead 1-0.

Broooklyn socred two in their half of the inning. All Star shortstop Bob Jorgenson hit his 11th homerun with one out in the inning. Catcher Phil Allen doubled past third baseman Luis Robinson and down into the left field corner to drive in the second run.

Pittsburgh threatened in the 3rd, Carlos Tejara singled and Tom Dauss committed an error at second base to put two on with one out. Jorgenson started a 6-4-3 doubole play to bail Mirabelli out of the jam.

Brooklyn had a one out double by Bill Mashore in their half of the 3rd inning, but he was left standing on second base.

Luis Robinson who was very active in this game for Pittsburgh, drilled a one out in the 4th inning, Aguayo followed with a double to put runners on second and third with one out. Bill Benito hit a fly ball to venter field deep enough to score Robinson with the tying run...2-2.

Brooklyn touched home in the 5th when Bruce Kaufman singled to right with one out,Mashore struck out, secoind strikeout for Marv Wilkens in the innong. Hugo Gonzalez beat out a slow roller to shortstop to add to his hit league leading hit total (93). Bill Hicks drilled a ball into the right field gap scoring Kaufman to put the Dodgers in front 3-2.

Luis Robinson singled for the second time, and reached base for the third time in the game, to start the 6th. Brian Arguao once again followed with a double to right field tying the game 3-3. Brooklyn had an answer in the bottom of the 6th inning. Catcher Phil Allen was included in a trade with Minnesota earlier but was optioned and Brooklyn got him back on waivers. He is not eligible for the post season but he has contributed both offensively and defnsively. In this at bat he hit his fourth homerun putting the Dodgers back in front 4-3.
Starting pitcher Mike Mirabelli, the Dodgers number four starters is now 7-2. Mirabelli has won his last five starts with a 3.32 ERA to give Brooklyn's pitching a shot in the arm just when they have needed it.

Another pitcher who has stepped up is closer Tomas Estrada who picked up hius 19th save and seeming has worked every game in which the Brooklyn team has had a lead.