Marte helps to save day in Bucs' win

Pirates starter Shane Youman pitches against the Cardinals during the first inning Thursday at PNC Park


By Rob Biertempfel
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, August 3, 2007


A year ago, Pirates reliever Damaso Marte sometimes seemed like one of the most confused pitchers in the National League.

This season, he has evolved into one of the most dominant left-handers in the game.

Same guy, same stuff. The difference? More experience, more confidence.

Lefty batters do not have a prayer against Marte. He has held them to a .080 batting average and has set down the past 30 he's faced.



Home plate umpire Bob Davidson argues with St. Louis' Scott Spiezio during the ninth inning of Thursday's game against the Pirates at PNC Park. Davidson ejected Spiezio after calling him out on strikes to end the inning. The Pirates won, 5-4, in 11 innings.

Right-handers do not have much hope, either.
Thursday afternoon, the St. Louis Cardinals sent up three righties in a row against Marte -- the first two batted with the potential go-ahead run on third base.

Strikeout, strikeout, strikeout.

"I tried my best, throwing the ball outside and inside, and I won," Marte said, simply.

So, eventually, did the Pirates.

Jose Castillo's two-out, pinch-hit single in the 11th inning lifted the Pirates to a 5-4 victory. The Pirates took two of three games against the Cardinals, their first series win in a month.

"A great game to win," Pirates manager Jim Tracy said. "Our bullpen was terrific."

Five relievers held St. Louis to a run on four hits over six innings. Salomon Torres (1-3) got the final six outs.

The only damage against the Pirates' bullpen was done by Albert Pujols, who mashed a game-tying solo homer off Shawn Chacon in the seventh.

In the eighth, Chacon yielded a leadoff double to Yadier Molina. Aaron Miles bunted him to third.

In came Marte. Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa called back Jim Edmonds -- a longball threat, but a lefty -- and sent up switch-hitter Scott Spiezio. Spiezio has hit two of his three homers and gotten 21 of his 27 RBI against left-handers.



The Pirates' Jose Castillo is mobbed by teammates, including Ian Snell, after driving in the winning run Thursday against St. louis at PNC Park. The Pirates won, 5-4, in 11 innings.


"That's a difficult situation," Marte said later. "I tried to strike him out because if (Spiezio) had hit a fly ball, we could have lost the game."

On a 2-2 count, Marte froze Spiezio with a perfect slider.

David Eckstein, a pesky slap hitter, was next. Marte got him swinging. Inning over.

"Absolutely huge," Tracy said. "We had to stay there because if it Eckstein ends up reaching base, you know Tony (La Russa) was sitting there, waiting to unload (lefty slugger Chris) Duncan. Having Marte out there negated that."

Marte began the ninth by blowing three strikes past Gary Bennett, then gave way to right-hander Matt Capps.

The perfect day lowered Marte's ERA to 1.30. It was his 13th consecutive scoreless outing.

"He has a long, loose arm and he just slings the ball," Pirates left-hander Shane Youman said. "It comes out of nowhere. He's aggressive, challenges guys with his fastball and pretty much finishes them off with his slider."

Marte was outstanding in 2002 and '03 as part of the Chicago White Sox's bullpen. He picked up 31 saves there as a part-time closer.

Last season was Marte's first time back in the National League since appearing in 23 games for the Pirates in 2001. He struggled last summer, going 1-7 with a 3.70 ERA and allowing 51 hits in 58 1/3 innings.

"One year you have a good year and the next you have ... you know," Marte said. "This year, I know the (National League) hitters better. Right now, I feel good. I feel comfortable."

When he takes the mound, Marte carries with him an aura of invincibility.

"The confidence that we see in this kid, that's what we were trying to get last year," Tracy said.

Marte, 32, is signed through next season with a $6 million club option for 2009. The Pirates listened to plenty of offers for him at the non-waiver trading deadline, but none was deemed good enough.

Wise choice.

"I feel good here," Marte said. "If they trade me, there's nothing I can do about it. But if they don't, I'm happy here. No problem."

Rob Biertempfel can be reached at rbiertempfel@tribweb.com or (412) 320-7811.