Pirates Journal

Game 55 Recap-

The Pittsburgh Pirates brought their hitting gloves to the park and pounded the St. Louis Cardinals, 14-4 at Busch Stadium in Missouri. The club pummeled rookie emergency starter, RH Mike Parisi(taking the spot of veteran Joel Piniero) for 8 hits and 8 runs with 3 walks and 2 strike outs over 2 2/3 innings plus. Long man rh Kelvin Jimenez took his spot and continued the abuse of the baseball, as the boys in black and yellow tagged him for 6 hits and 5 runs over his 3 1/3 innings of work. He walked one and struck out 2 while allowing 3 homers.

RF Xavier Nady got the ball rolling in the first with a 3 run double. Resurgent 3b Jose Bautista(.274 May after .195 April) singled him home for a 4-0 lead. After Cardinals 3b Troy Glaus homered in the 2nd, the Pirates put the game out of reach in the 3rd. Following C Ronny Paulino’s rbi single, utility man Luis Rivas hit his 3rd homer of the season, a grand slam to make it 9-1. The boys never looked back and added 5 more runs in the game, hi lighted by 2 2 run shots, 1 each by 2b Freddy Sanchez(5th) and Paulino(6th).

Tough luck Pirates LH Paul Maholm finally got some runs! The team has scored 3 runs or fewer in 7 of his 10 starts. In his previous 3 games, they scored 4 — all in one game vs the Cubs! This young veteran has deserved better, with a respectable 4.74 era. He pitched into the 7th, with 6 2/3 innings of work, allowing 4 hits and 1 run with 5 strikeouts. RH longman Franquelis Osoria(4.46 era) took over and gave up 3 garbage runs. LH John Grabow needed some work and pitched a clean ninth with 2 Ks to seal this solid team win, 14-4.

Star of the Game-

Whole Pirates lineup- some highlights: Nady 3 run double, Sanchez 3 hits,2 runs and rbi, Rivas grand slam, Bautista 4 hits, 2 runs, rbi and Paulino with 3 hits and rbi plus 2 runs. Awesome performance.

Pirates Notes-

Game featured season highs for hits(19) and runs….Most runs Pirates have scored since last August 1st, also against the Cardinals… Rivas was starting for SS Jack Wilson, whose tricky calf injury has acted up… Bautista had 4 hits for the first time in his career

Next Game-

Sunday-2:15 – Busch Stadium

Pirates RH Ian Snell(2-4,5.46) vs Cardinals RH Braden Looper(6-4,5.05)

Game 54 Recap-

The St. Louis Cardinals new “ace” RH Todd Wellemeyer shut the Pirates out butt cold, helping them win,5-4 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. In earning his 6th win, he went 7 innings and allowed 6 hits with 1 run. He struck out 4 and walked 2. Pirates SP LH Zach Duke battled for 6 innings, giving up 5 hits and 3 runs, he struck out 2 and walked 1.

After CF Nate McLouth homered to give the Pirates a 1-0 lead in the 1st, Cardinals superstar 1b Albert Pujols matched it with a runner on for a 2-1 spread. Wellemeyer helped his cause with a sacrifice fly in the 2nd. St. Louis added 2 insurance runs in the 7th vs RH Tyler Yates. Those became important because Pirates PH Jason Michaels pinch hit in the 9th and doubled in 3 runs vs Cardinals RH Ryan Franklin. Franklin settled down and retired McLouth with a comebacker to end the game and give St. Louis a 5-4 win.

Star of the Game-

Wellemeyer- 6th win with an rbi

Pirates Notes-

The Pirates OFs lead the majors with 34….team is 25-29 at this point with some key injuries, lineup really misses C Ryan Doumit

Next Game

Saturday-7:15 Busch Stadium, St. Louis

Pirates LH Paul Maholm(2-5,5.11) vs Pirates RH Mike Parisi(1st ML start, 2.87 in 15 2/3 over 8 games)

Game 53 Recap-

Pittsburgh Pirates LH SP Phil Dumatrait showed his former employers that maybe they made a mistake, helping the boys in black beat the Cincinnati Reds, 7-2 Thursday at Great American Ball Park in Ohio. The former 1st rounder was 0-4 with a 15.00 era in 6 starts with the Reds in 2007, the club placed him on waivers in October and Pittsburgh picked him up. Dumatrait,now 2-2 with a 3.52 era, pitched 7 innings with only 2 infield hits against(one run) with 9 strikeouts and 2 walks. The youngster was all smiles after the game,”It was definitely special for me to go out there. I was definitely looking forward to it. Obviously it didn’t go as planned here last year”

The Pirates offensively put the pressure on from inning 1 to 9, with the return of a healthy Jack Wilson helping. The SS drove in the 1st run with a double, Cincy tied in the same inning with a fielder’s choice. Doubles by RF Xavier Nady and CF Jason Michaels made it 3-1 Pittsburgh. In the 4th, 2b Freddy Sanchez sacrifice fly made it 4-1. Jason Bay, who kills the Reds, capped the inning with his 13th homer, a 2 run shot. Reds RH SP Aaron Harang(4 IP,10 hits,6 runs and 2 strike outs) was gone soon after that but RF Xavier Nady greeted LH RP Jeremy Affeldt with a 2 run homer to left center for a 7-1 Pirates lead.

The story was clearly Dumatrait and the strong Pirates pen continued to support the starters. LH John Grabow(4-1,1.42 era) pitched a clean 8th and closer Matt Capps got some work in the 9th. The 3rd year veteran allowed a meaningless homer to Reds 2b Brandon Phillips in the inning. Solid, solid win by the Pirates to salvage the third game in this series.

Star of the Game-

Dumatrait- 2 hitters tend to do that for you! Kid has talent, looks like he might be a keeper. Serious stones today vs a good hitting club that has been hot

Pirates Notes-

Bay’s homer was his 14 at Great American Ball Park, his most at any road stadium. Only Houston’s Lance Berkman, with 18 has more at Cincinnati…. Nady has hit safely in consecutive games at GABP with a .372 career average and 6 homers… The Pirates called up RH Bryan Bullington, 1st pick 2002, to help the bullpen, most innings in the NL. RH Marino Salas sent down to Triple A Indianapolis…. Veteran Raul Chavez got the start at C and doubled to lead off the 4th, scoring in that 3 run inning

Next Game-

Friday-8:15- Busch Stadium, St. Louis

Pirates LH Zach Duke(2-3,4.55) vs Cardinals RH Todd Wellemyer(5-1,3.36)

Game 52 Recap-

The Cincinnati Reds battered LH SP Tom Gorzelanny(7.38 era) in the 1st, handing him his shortest start of his career and mounting a 6-0 deficit, to help the Reds beat the Pirates 9-1 at Great American Ball Park in Ohio. Utility man Jerry Hairston Jr and rookie 1b Joey Votto led the way with 3 hits apiece for the Reds.

Gorzelanny was a mess from the start, as he allowed the 1st to batters to reach, Ken Griffey Jr plated the 1st run with a sacrifice fly. 3b Edwin Encarnacion doubled in the 2nd run and super stud Votto drove in two with a single. C David Ross followed with a run homer(1st of the year) to chase the veteran LH. His nightmare day ended with 2/3 + pitched, 4 hits and 6 runs allowed with 2 walks. RH Franquelis Osoria(4.15 era) escaped the inning and saved the staff with 4 1/3 innings of solid relief work.

Osoria helped his own cause with his bat in the 2nd. After a walk and single, his two out infield single plated the Pirates 1st run to make it 6-1. His mound counterpart, RH SP Bronson Arroyo(4-4,5.29), pitched on 3 days rest with some long extra inning games taxing the Cincinnati staff, battled hard for 6 innings. The Pirates managed 3 hits off of him with the single run, to go with 4 walks and 6 strike outs.

The Reds kept the pressure on versus the Pittsburgh relief corps. scoring single runs in the 4th, 6th and 7th. Ross(4th) and Hairston(6th) had rbi singles with the 9th run scoring on a bases loaded walk to Ross in the 7th.

Star of the Game-

Ross- Led the staff thru a difficult situation and had 4 rbi, gutty, workman like performance

Pirates Notes-

LH SP Zach Duke will move his start back a day to receive further treatment on his callused left middle finger. Young LH Phil Dumatrait will take his spot on 4 days rest, the waiver claim and pleasant surprise, is 1-2 with 4.05 era in 5 starts and 10 relief appearances. …. Pirates had only 3 hits with RF Xavier Nady having a double in the 6th for the clubs extra base hit

Next Game-

Thursday-7:10 -Great American Ball Park- Ohio

Pirates LH Phil Dumatrait(1-2,4.05) vs Reds RH Aaron Harang(2-6,3.32)

Game 51 Recap-

The Reds used two big innings(8 total runs) and got big performances from both young and old as they rallied for a 9-6 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati Tuesday night. LF Adam Dunn hit a huge 3 run home run and rookie CF Jay Bruce(3rd player in last 70 years to have 3 hits, two rbi and a stolen base in his ML debut) was a pain all night to lead the Reds offense.

The Pirates took a 3-0 lead into the 5th after scoring runs in the 2nd,3rd and 5th. C Ronny Paulino singled in the 1st run, RF Xavier Nady did the same in the 3rd, then 1b Adam Laroche hit a sacrifice fly in the 5th. Rookie Reds RH Johnny Cueto battled thru 5 innings for his 3rd win(3-5, 5.40 era) allowing 9 hits, 3 runs(2 earned) with 3 walks and 4 strike outs. His team rallied for 4 runs in the 5th. 2b Brandon Phillips plated the 1st Reds run with a sacrifice fly. Then Dunn hit a huge 3 run shot off of wild Pirates RH Ian Snell.( 5 innings, 6 hits,7 runs,7 walks and 6 strike outs).

The Reds, now leading 4-3, took control in the 6th and chased Snell as well. After a single and walk, LH Damaso Marte was in and gave up 2 singles(SS Jerry Hairston jr & Bruce) and a bases loaded walk to RF Ken Griffey Jr. made it 7-3. Dunn singled in another run and it was 8-3. In the 7th, Bruce doubled home another run for a 6 run lead,9-3.

The Pirates posted a mini relay in the 9th vs LH speclalist Jeremy Affeldt in the 9th. Laroche hit a 2 run homer and Paulino added a solo shot to make it a 3 run game at 9-6. After a walk, Reds Manager Dusty Baker brought stud closer Francisco Cordero(1-0,2.28 era) into the contest and he quickly got Pirates 2b Freddy Sanchez to foul out for a Reds win and his 11th save.

Star of the Game-

Co-stars— veteran Red LF Adam Dunn, big 3 run homer among his 2 hits,4 rbi. Super prospect PF Jay Bruce has a huge night with 2 walks, 2 rbi, 3 hits and 2 runs. 2nd Red in 50 years with 3 hits in his ML debut.

Pirates Notes-

SS Jack Wilson was activated and back at the #2 spot. Rookie SS Brian Bixler was demoted to Triple A…Snell’s 7 walks were a career high

Next Game-

Wednesday, 7:10 Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati

Pirates LH Tom Gorzelanny(4-4,6.31) vs Reds RH Bronson Arroyo(3-4,5.68)

Off for the Holiday… Do  something for all the troops- Young and Old!

Back Tuesday……

Game 50 Recap-

A misplay by Cubs All Star LF Alfonso Soriano in the 9th allowed the Pirates to tie and redhot Pirates LF Jason Bay won it in the 11th, 6-5. Soriano lost CF Nate McLouth’s flyball in the sun and the Pirates scored to tie on the error. Bay won it again in Extra Innings after a lead off single, sacrifice and intentional walk. He hit RH Jon Lieber’s(2-3,3.00) pitch into left to score the winning run.

In a game very similiar to Saturday Nights Pirates win, both starters were solid. Cubs LH Ted Lilly pitched 6 innings, allowing 10 hits & 4 runs. He walked and struck out 2. He was touched for 3 homers, 2 by light hitting back up IF Luis Rivas(#1 and #2)one by RF Xavier Nady(#8). Pirates LH Paul Maholm(2-5,5.11 era) battled vs a very good Cubs lineup. He pitched 8 innings to give some rest to the Pirates overtaxed pen, giving up 8 hits and 5 runs. Maholm walked 2 and struck out 7, Soriano hit a 2 run homer in the 3rd.

Offensively, Rivas had the 2 homers. McLouth had 3 hits with an rbi and walk. Bay, 3b Jose Bautista and 1b Adam Laroche all had 2 hits. Cannot say enough about the job RH Franquelis Osoria(4.41 era) and LH Damaso Marte(4-0, 4.01 era) did with the premier pen guys Capps and Grabows off today(6 total innings pitched Saturday night).

Star of the Game-

Bay- Game winner 2nd game in a row- in extra innings! 1st time since 1995 when Cleveland Indians OF Albert Belle did it.

Pirates Notes-

Pittsburgh is one of 6 teams to have Monday’s Memorial day Holiday off…. Rivas has 31 homers in 1967 at bats, or 1 every 63 1/2 at bats….. Lieber had not allowed a run vs the Pirates in 10 1/3 innings… SS Jack Wilson is going to return Tuesday after talking with club officials today. He has been out since April 3 with a strained left calf.Look for the team to send rookie SS Brian Bixler back to Triple A, he is struggling with .175 average and has been losing playing time to Chris Gomez and Luis Rivas.

Next Game-

Tuesday, Start 3 game series at Cincinnati-Great American BallPark

7:10

Pirates RH Ian Snell(2-3,4.84) vs. Reds RH Johnny Cueto(2-5,5.56)

Game 49 Recap-

Pirates LF Jason Bay capped off an amazing night for himself, driving in a the winning run in the 14th inning, helping the Pirates beat the Cubs, 5-4. After utility man Luis Rivas tied the score with a sacrifice fly in the 9th, the teams pitched great until Pittsburgh won it in the 14.

Lots of stars in this game, 441 pitches total! Both starters pitched well, CubsRH Jason Marquis(5 1/3, 7 hits, 3 runs, 3 walks,2 Ks) and Pirates lefty Phil Dumatrait(5 2/3, 5 hits, 1 runs, 3 walks and 2 strikeouts), competed and turned the game over to their teams pens.

Pittsburgh top relievers, LH John Grabow(winning pitcher,4-1, 1.48 era) and closer RH Matt Capps both pitched 3 innings!!!!!!! Bay was 4 for 6 with a walk, 2 runs and 3 rbi. 1b Adam Laroche had 2 hits while back up OF Jason Michaels had 2 hits, 1 rbi and  a walk. Ex Pirate 3b Aramis Ramirez had 2 rbi and 1b Derek Lee 2 hits with 2 scores.

Star of the Game….

Bay!!!!!

Saturday Nights game is tied in the 13th after the Pirates squared the game at 4 when veteran SS Luis Rivas hit a sacrifice fly in the 9th.

I will update this game Sunday Night due to my other obligations… follow the team and scores at mlb.com or espn.com

Game 48 Recap-

Carlos Zambrano was the story and not just with his arm, as he had 4 hits and 2 rbis while pitching 7 innings, leading the Cubs to another victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates, 12-3. With his arm, he went 7 innings, allowing 6 hits and 2 runs with 1 walk and 6 strike outs. He is now 7-1 with a 2.47 era and a strong NL MVP candidate.

Before Pirates LH Zach Duke could sneeze, the Cubs had jumped all over him with runs in the 1st 6 innings. 2 scored in the 1st via a 1b Derek Lee rbi single and a throwing error. Zambrano singled in another run in the 2nd,3-0. RF Mark DeRosa doubled home 3b Aramis Ramirez to make it 4-0 in the 3rd, 1b D Lee plated run #5with a ground out in the 4th. Duke hit the showers with a tough line- over 4 innings, he allowed 10 hits, 5 runs(4 earned) and 1 strike out. Cubs CF Reed Johnson(3 hits, 4 rbi) greeted new Pirates pitcher, LH Sean Burnett with a 3 run homer in the 5th.

Pirates CF Nate McLouth tripled home 2 runs in the 5th to keep the locals happy. The Cubs scored a single run in the 6th on DeRosa sacrifice fly. The game slowed a bit and setted down at 9-2 Chicago. In garbage time, three more Cubs scored in the 8th(DeRosa, Johnson and Zambrano rbi) and the Pirates crosses the plate in the 8th via a 1b Adam Laroche sacrifice fly.
Cubs closer RH Kerry Wood needed some work and pitched a clean ninth to sew up the win.

Star of the Game-

Zambrano— would have been a top candidate without throwing a pitch!

Pirates Notes-

Cubs have won 9-1 vs the Pirates and are 4-0 at PNC Park plus 12-1 in their last 13….SS Chris Gomez had 2 hits and run…C Ryan Doumit is hoping to be back in 2 weeks from his fractured thumb, saying” I will be back sooner than anyone thinks.”

Next Game-

Saturday-7:05 PNC Park, Pittsburgh

Pirates LH Phil Dumatrait(1-2,4.39) vs Cubs RH Jason Marquis(2-3,4.96)