Red Sox Vs. Pirates: Andrew Miller Helps Boston Avoid Sweep In Pittsburgh

Making his second start for Boston, Andrew Miller prevented the Pittsburgh Pirates from completing a three-game sweep of the Red Sox on Sunday afternoon. Miller allowed just two runs over six innings while scattering five hits to pick up his first win in the 4-2 victory.

The game could have turned in favor of the Pirates in the fifth inning when the game was tied at one, but Miller was able to work out of his troubles. A leadoff walk to Pirates pitcher James McDonald was followed by a Garret Jones single, putting runners on first and second. Chase d'Arnaud put down a bunt to the third base line and wound up with a single to load the bases. Andrew McCutchen slipped a ball past Kevin Youkilis at third base to score one run, but Youkilis made up for that by tagging out Jones on the play.

With runners still on first and second base, Miller picked up one of his five strikeouts in the game. Matt Diaz flied out to right field to end the inning.

The Red Sox struck back in the sixth inning, taking advantage of a throwing error by McDonald that allowed Youkilis to reach third base. Josh Reddick pushed him across home plate on a sacrifice fly. The Red Sox were able to come up with their own bases loaded situation in the seventh inning. Dustin Pedroia's ground out and Kevin Youkilis' sacrifice fly put the Red Sox up, 4-2.

Both teams had players leave early due to injury. The Red Sox lost J.D. Drew to a left eye contusion on the second inning. He fouled off a ball into his left eye before the game and the swelling was too much for him to remain in the game. The Pirates' Jose Tabata beat out a bunt single to start the bottom of the first inning, but he fell to the ground in pain. Garrett Jones replaced him in the lineup.