Pirates Journal

Game 27 Recap-

Pittsburgh Pirates 13- NY Mets 1

The Pirates won big today at Shea Stadium in NY vs the Mets, 13-1, making the New Yorkers pay for 3 errors and scoring 9 unearned runs. LH SP Tom Gorzelanny got the win but tweaked his back in the 5th. He finished the inning for the innings minimum of 5 to pick up the victory, allowing 1 hit, walking 5 and striking out 4. The young veteran does not think the back was serious enough to make him miss a start.

Pittsburgh scored 7 runs off of former Pirate LH Oliver Perez in the 2nd. A fielders choice/error combo and bases loaded walk made it 2-0. 2b Freddy Sanchez singled for a 3-0 margin. After a sac fly, C Ryan Doumit single and another big hit by RF Xavier Nady, it was 7-0 Pittsburgh.

Another big Pirates eruption in the 6th as rbi doubles by CF Nate McLouth and Nady hi-lighted a 5 run 6th inning. The Mets did not mount much today and scored their only run in the same inning after a double by RF Ryan Church.

Lots of offense today by the Pirates, CF Nate McLouth continues to lead the way, he had 3 hits, rbi and runs. Sanchez had 2 hits and rbi as well, Doumit 2 hits and 1 rbi. Nady again was huge with 3 hits, 3 rbi, 2 runs and 2 walks.

Star of the Game-On a day where the Pirates scored 13 runs, the leadoff man McLouth is a good choice. Having a tremendous season, should garner serious all star consideration with Nady.

Pirates Notes-

Game was delayed 40 minutes with an in stadium water pipe issue…..Perez and Nady were traded for each other in 2006… Super Sub Chris Gomez got the start at SS and scored 2 runs

Next Game-

Opener of a 4 game series at Washington– Pirates first visit to Nationals Park in team history

7:10

Pirates LH Zach Duke(0-2) vs Nationals LH Odalis Perez(0-3)

Game 26 Recap-

Pirates battled hard vs one of the better starting pitchers in recent memory but lose to a talented Mets team at Shea Stadium in New York Monday Night, 5-4 in 11 innings. Pittsburgh stayed in the game with Mets Ace Johan Santana(2 hits, 2 homers in 5+ innings!)  starting and tied the game with solo runs in the  8th and 9th vs the Mets bullpen.

The game started fast with Pirates CF Nate McLouth leading off the game with a homer and LF Jason Bay followed that script with a solo shot of his own in the 4th to make it 2-0. Mets RF Ryan Church quickly tied it up off of Pirates starter Ian Snell (4 1/3 innings. 4 hits, 4 runs, 5 walks and 2 strike outs).   The Mets chased Snell in the 5th with 2  more runs on a SS Jose Reyes run scoring triple and a fielders choice/error combo and it was now 4-2.

The game became a bullpen battle and the Pirates fared well.LHs Damaso Marte and John Grabow as well as RHs Tyler Yates and Franquelis Osoria kept a dangerous Mets team off of the scoreboard. The Pirates got a run in the 8th after 2 hits and a walk, 4-3.  After a throwing error by Mets All Star SS Jose Reyes allowed the lead off runner to reach base in the 9th and after some great work, 2b Freddy Sanchez drove home PR Brian Bixler to tie the game at 4-4 off of Mets Closer Billy Wagner.

Recent call up RH John Van Benschoten, entered the game in the 11th and the Mets pests did him in. After Endy Chavez singled and was balked to 2nd, a sacrifice bunt and 2 ntentional walks the bases were  loaded.  Mets superstar 3b David Wright then hit a towering drive towards the foul pole area in RF, the ball bounced fair then out of play. METS WIN!!!

Star of the Game-How about the Pirates relievers! 6+ innings of 1 run ball

Pirates Notes- Team was 1 for 11 with runners in scoring position…

Next Game- 

Wednesday-1:10 PM-NY

Pirates LH Tom Gorzelanny(1-3) vs Mets LH Oliver Perez(2-1)

Game was called due to strong storms in NY… moved to Monday, August 11th at 1:10 pm

Tuesdays Game

Shea Stadium-7:10 PM

Pirates RH Ian Snell(2-1) vs Mets LH Johan Santana(3-2)

Game 25 Recap-

Pittsburgh Pirates 5- Philadelphia Phillies 1

LH Paul Maholm threw a complete game 2 hitter and CF Nate McLouth hit 2 homers to lead the Pirates over the Phillies 5-1 Sunday at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. Maholm allowed 2 hits,1 run while walking 4 and striking out 2. The Pirates broke a 3 game losing streak with todays win.

Maholm was outstanding and McLouth led off the game with a homer vs Phillies RH Brett Myers. Myers had been pitching great, going 7 innings or more in each of his last 3 games. Today he went 5, allowing 8 hits, 4 runs while striking out 5 and walking 1. Pirates made it 2-0 in the 4th when 3b Jose Bautista produced a run scoring single. The Phillies got their 2 hits vs Maholm in the same inning and scored a run after RF Pat Burrell doubled and was driven in by SS Eric Brunlett’s single.

The Pirates answered quickly when McLouth took Myers deep for the 2nd time with a runner on to make it 4-1 Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh closed out the scoring with another run in the 6th on a double play ground out to make it 5-1.

Pittsburgh was led offensively by Bautista(3 hits,rbi) and SS Luis Rivas, McLouth, LF Jason Bay and 1b Adam Laroche all had 2 hits.

Star of the Game-You allow 2 hits, You win this award! LH SP Paul Maholm is the winner

Pirates Notes-

Maholm is 2-0 in 3 PNC starts while allowing 2 runs in 20 1/3 innings… RF Xavier Nady was 0 for 4, ending his 14 game hit streak…McLouth’s 2 homer game was the 2nd of his career…Maholm is staying in Pittsburgh for the Mets series in NY, his wife is expecting their 1st child

Next Series-

at NY Mets- Shea Stadium

Monday-7:10-Pirates RH Ian Snell(2-1) vs LH Johan Santana(3-2)

Tuesday-7:10-LH Tom Gorzelanny(1-3) vs LH Oliver Perez(2-1)

Wednesday-1:10-LH Zach Duke(2-0) vs RH Mike Pelfrey(2-1)

Game 24 Recap-

Philadelphia Phillies 8-Pittsburgh Pirates 4

Phillies jumped on struggling veteran Pirates RH Matt Morris with 5 runs in the 1st and knocked him out in the 2nd inning with another run at PNC Park in Pittsburgh Saturday night. The early runs were more than enough for young Phillies RH SP Kyle Kendrick, who worked 7 innings, allowing 7 hits, 4 runs(3 earned) and striking out 2.

Slugging 1b Ryan Howard took Morris deep in the 1st with a 2 run shot. After 2 errors around 2 run scoring singles, it was quickly 5-0 Phillies. Morris’ struggles continued into the 2nd with LF Geoff Jenkins driving in his 2nd run of the game with an rbi single. Manager John Russell summoned long man LH Phil Dumatrait, who stopped the bleeding over 4 innings, allowing only 1 earned run. Morris(cut today) was hit hard over 1 2/3 innings,6 hits, 6 runs(3 earned), 1 walk and striking out a single batter.

The Pirates rallied with 2 runs in the 3rd off of Kendrick. CF Nate McLouth got the 1st run home with an rbi single and 2b Freddy Sanchez knocked him after a double to make it,6-2. The score stayed that way until the Phillies added 2 more runs with back to back doubles by pinch hitting 3b Pedro Feliz and CF Jayson Werth.

Pittsburgh staged a small rally with single runs in the 7th(rbi ground out) and 8th(home run by McLouth) but the Phillies early success was too much to overcome.

Star of the Game-

Phillies 1b Ryan Howard- get the team started with his big 1st inning shot

This needs to change…The Pirates fielding… awful, unearned runs and extended innings. Morris was bad but has little help. Team clearly misses slick fielding SS Jack Wilson as rookie Brian Bixler continues to struggle with 2 more miscues adding to his 5 errors.

Pirates Notes-

RF Xavier Nady extended his 14 game hitting streak with a double… Team made 3 errors,allowing 4 unearned runs

Todays game-

Pirates LH Paul Maholm(1-2) vs Phillies RH Brett Myers(2-1)

Pittsburgh Pirates cut last season’s trade deadline acquisition, RHP Matt Morris. The veteran , who has pitched for St. Louis and San Francisco previously, posted an 0-4 record with a 9.67 era in 5 starts. Manager John Russell praised his professionalism and just said it wasn’t happening for the right-hander.

The Pirates recalled RHP John Van Benschoten to fill the roster spot but it is believed that he is keeping the spot warm for LH Sean Burnett.

Game 23 Recap

Pittsburgh Pirates lost the opener of a 3 game weekend series with the Philadelphia Phillies tonight,6-5. C Chris Coste had a big night(3 hits, 3 rbi) and got the Phillies the lead in the 1st with a 2 run double. LH Zach Duke battled all night over his 6 innings vs a very good hitting lineup, going 6 IP, 9 hits, 6 runs while walking 2 and striking out 2 as well.

The Phillies added two more runs in the 3rd with CF Jayson Werth hitting a solo shot followed by Coste’s rbi single. It quickly became 6-0 in the 4th after two more runs. The Pirates came to life against Phillies RH SP Adam Eaton in the 4th. LF Jason Bay homered to left, red hot RF Xavier Nady doubled home another run and 3b Doug Mientkiewicz ended Eaton’s night with a run scoring double. The Phillies SP did not have a strong performance! Eaton’s totals- 3 2/3 innings,5 hits, 3 runs, 2 walks and 3 strikeouts. RH Chad Durbin came in and got a huge out when SP Zach Duke lined out, 6-3 Phillies.

The game settled down until Nady drove in 2 more runs with a single in the 5th. The game became a battle of the pens and the Pirates got a runner to 2nd in the 8th but failed to score. Phillies closer Brad Lidge was on in the 9th with 2 strikeouts to earn his 6th save.

Star of the Game-

Phillies C Chris Coste- 3 hits, 3 rbi

2nd guess?-Pirates Manager John Russell for allowing Duke to hit in the 4th with the Pirates in a big inning of a 6-3 game

Pirates Notes-

C Ryan Doumit has started 15 of 23 games….. Pirates ran a fireworks promotion to draw almost 24,000 fans, the biggest attendance number since opening day… CF Nate McLouth was hitless for the 4th consecutive game after starting the season on a 19 game hit streak, while Nady extended his own batting streak to 12 games with 2 hits

Next Game-

Pirates RH Matt Morris(0-3) vs Phillies RH Kyle Kendrick(1-2)

Game 22 Recap 

St Louis Cardinals 6- Pittsburgh Pirates 2

The Cardinals split this 2 game series in Pittsburgh Thursday Night with a patient, workman like 6-2 victory. Pirates LH SP Tom Gorzelanny, who has registered 4 walks or more his last 3 starts, continued to play with fire walking 7 over 5 innings of work. He threw only 49 strikes out of 94 pitches and had runners on base all night.

The Pirates led 1-0 after a 4th inning rbi double by 1b Adam  Laroche . Amazingly, Gorzelanny carried a 1 hitter into the 5th but walked the bases full.  Cardinals RF Brian Barton hit a two run single,2-1 St Louis.  Stud 1b Albert Pujols followed with another run scoring hit to make it 3-1. Gorzelanny’s night was done after the 5th and long man RH Phil Dumatrait pitched the next 2 innings , allowing 2 more runs.

Cardinals RH Joel Pineiro looked very strong over his 7 innings of work, allowing 4 hits, 1 run, walking 1 and striking out 6. He made a hi-light reel kick save on a comebacker to get a huge out mid game.  LH Ron Villone and RH Russ Springer took their matchups for in the 8th and got the outs. Pirates RH Franquelis Osoria was touched for a run in the 8th after two hits and ground out. Springer was touched for a run in the 9th causing Tony Larussa to bring closer Jason Isringhausen into the game. The veteran got two quick outs to end the game.

Star of the Game-Cardinals RH SP Joel Pineiro– 7 strong innings, win

Pirates Notes- 

1b Adam Laroche had 2 hits and an rbi with his double in the 4th, he had been 2 for 21 in previous games…. RF Xavier Nady extended his hit streak to 12 with an ninth inning single.. since his season starting hit streak ended at 19, CF Nate McLouth is 0 for 10 in 3 games

Next Game- 

7:05 PNC Park

Pirates LH Zack Duke(0-1) vs Phillies RH Adam Eaton(0-0)

Game 21 Recap-

Pittsburgh Pirates 7- St. Louis Cardinals 4

Pirates got some timely hits and 8 innings of shutout pitching to rally vs the St. Louis Cardinals tonight, 7-4 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. The win was the 2nd in a row for the Boys in Black and they go for the sweep Thursday Night.

The game did not get off to a good start as RH SP Ian Snell allowed 6 of the 1st 7 St Louis batters to reach base. 3b Troy Glaus drove in 2 runs with a double and 2b Adam Kennedy made it 4-0 with an rbi single. Snell claims his mechanics were out of whack and after speaking with veteran RH SP Matt Morris in the dugout between innings, he straightened himself out.

The Cardinals started RH Todd Wellemeyer, one of the pleasant surprises in the NL at 2-0, and he came out strong. The Pirates got to him for 2 runs in the 4th with rbi going to C Ryan Doumit(single) and RF Xavier Nady.(sac fly) Pittsburgh came all the way back with LF Jason Bay hitting a 2 run homer to square the score at 4-4. Wellemeyer’s final stat line was 6 innings pitched, 7 hits, 4 runs, 1 walk and 5 strike outs.

The Pirates took the game with an big inning in the 8th vs Cardinals RH RP Anthony Reyes. After a Doumit single and misplay on a potential double play, struggling 3b Jose Bautista drove him in with a single,5-4 Pittsburgh. Rookie SS Brian Bixler followed and broke an 0 for 16 slump with a double. PH Doug Mientkiewicz added to the lead with 2 more runs on an rbi single, 7-4.

Closer Matt Capps took the mound in the 9th and continued his great April(zero era) with a 1-2-3 Ninth for his 5th save.

Star of the Game..3b Jose Bautista gets the game winning hit and looks to be coming around. Although he is hitting .188 he has hits in his last 4 starts.

Next Game-

Thursday-7:05 PNC Park

Pirates LH Tom Gorzelanny(1-2) vs Cardinals RH Joel Piniero(0-2)

Pirates Notes-

The game’s start was delayed 10 minutes due to a strong Thunderstorm…. RF Xavier Nady has a career high 11 game hit streak… After starting the season with a 19 game hit streak, Nate McLouth went 0 for 4 and was hitless for the 2nd consecutive day

Game 20 Recap

Pittsburgh Pirates 3-Florida Marlins 2

Pittsburgh Pirates showed some spunk in a lot of ways at PNC Park, coming back with a solid rally and combined it with a strong starting pitching performance for the win. The team had lost 6 straight and a major culprit was starting pitching, Pirates starters carried a 11.38 ERA during the period. LH Paul Maholm stepped up huge tonight and over 6 innings allowed only 4 hits and 1 run, while striking out 6 and walking only 1.

Unfortunately, Maholm’s counterpart, Marlins RH Ricky Nolasco, was matching him. He carried a 1 run led into the 6th with 4 Ks and 2 walks. Florida got a break on out call when CF Nate McLouth was clearly safe at 2b on a steal attempt. The Pirates could have sulked but rallied putting together 4 consecutive hits. 2b Freddy Sanchez and LF Jason Bay hit singles then C Ryan Doumit doubled to make it even at 1. RF Xavier Nady then made it 3-1 with another single.

The Pirates bullpen took over and RH Tyler Yates quickly gave up a homer to Marlins 3b Jorge Cantu(3 hits, 2 rbi) to make it 3-2. Chief set up men LHs Damaso Marte and John Grabow navigated the 8th with incident to get the game to closer Matt Capps. The Marlins made it interesting with a leadoff hit and sacrifice to get the runner to 2nd base. However, Capps struck out the next batter and got tough Florida SS Hanley Ramirez to fly out to end the game.

Star of the Game….LH Paul Maholm– much needed strong starting pitching performance

Store this away—Love this team’s catching platoon— Doumit and Ronny Paulino are not Johnny Bench but both are pros and this position is a major strength. 2 Big hits by Ryan tonight!

Pirates Notes-McLouth’s season starting hitting streak ends at 19 with an 0-2 plus 2 walks.

Next Game-

Wednesday-PNC Park

7:05

Pirates RH Ian Snell(2-1) vs Marlins RH Todd Wellemeyer(2-0)