It was a lovely view we had for three days. I normally like my rivers to be blue, but not in Pennsylvania. You get that nice brown flow going right through your city.

So naturally, you build your ballpark right there. Detroit adjusted to all the obstacles in this National League fun house to take their third series in a row to begin 2015.

This one was another pitchers’ duel. Alfredo Simon was back in the National League Central where he pitched with Cincinnati last season. He went frame for frame with (ironically) former AL Central and Minnesota Twins old man Francisco Liriano.

Liriano was showier, striking out more than Simon. However, Simon was spot on, never allowing one walk. Wild, hard throwing Liriano gave up a solo home run to Rajai Davis in the later innings for the only run of the ballgame.

Brad Ausmus made a strong move leaving Alfredo Sauce in the game to bat in the 7th. He already had thrown 92 pitches, but went 1-2-3 in the 8th. That gave us the relief of not needing any extra relief, as oldschool dismayed upon watching Joba warm up.

Instead, we only needed Joakim Soria to earn his second straight save. A 1-0 score made it hard to watch opposing batters in the 9th, but only one deep fly ball really scared us. Also, we used a nearly twenty minute delay to properly prepare. In the top of the final inning, a ball four pitch on Miguel Cabrera drilled the umpire so hard he left the game.

The Pirates made a fuss when they gave “Big Cat” his base (acting like he fouled it). Even though it was their ballpark, we looked more comfortable by the end of the series. It was a solid showing in the strange National League. We used defense and pitching to win the type of games we lost in the World Series.