McDaid pitched the kind of game that makes you feel bad that he's in line for the loss. In 7.1 IP he struck out four, walked only one, and gave up just two earned runs. He walked off to a nice ovation from the normally quiet Charlotte fans.
Then again, Bird has been even better, as he has pitched eight innings so far, striking out seven and giving up only three hits and one earned run. Bird actually looked stronger in the eigth inning than he did in the first, retiring the side in order, including striking out two Niners with sick curveballs.

The Niners just ended the top of the eight inning by turning a double play. St. Louis still leads by two heading into the bottom half of the ninth.