Pirates Journal

Pirates LF Jason Bay was part of the biggest deal on trade deadline day, ending up in Boston in a 3 way deal involving the Los Angeles Dodgers as well.

The Pirates netted 4 good prospects here-

From Boston-

RH Craig  Hansen-#18 Sox Prospect according to Baseball America

OF Brandon Moss- #11

From the Dodgers-

3b Andy Laroche- #2- Pirates 1b Adam Laroche’s younger brother

RP Bryan Morris- #12

Tough to see Jason go, but we have good OF depth and needed an infusion of young players and talent. Bay was a class act and will be missed(and he will help my Red Sox!) but this was a good deal for Pittsburgh. Unlike that joke with the NY Yankees last week

Game 108 Recap-

Colorado Rockies RH Aaron Cook(13-6,3.53) showed why he is an all star, winning his 3rd straight start and helping the NL Champions avoid a sweep, defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-4 Wednesday at PNC Park. Cook worked 7 innings , allowing 9 hits and 4 runs while walking 3 and K-ing 1.C Chris Iannetta hit a 3 run homer while LF Matt Holliday, 1b Garrett Atkins and SS Troy Tulowitzki added rbi singles for the Rockies.

LH Zach Duke(4-9,5.27) battled but had a tough night. Over 5 innings, he allowed 8 hits and 6 runs with 3 strikeouts and 2 walks. “He’s not hitting his spots as effectively,” Pittsburgh manager John Russell said of Duke. “That’s what’s hurting him. When he’s effective, he’s staying down in the zone. Tonight, he didn’t do that as much. The one thing I noticed, [catcher Ryan] Doumit had to move around a lot. It’s not usually a good sign for Zach.”

The Pirates scored 4 runs in the 5th with C Ryan Doumit(double), LF Jason Bay(2 run single) and 3b Jose Bautista(single) all having big hits. Tulowitzki singled in the game final run in the 7th.

Nice moment for the Rockies in the 9th as closer LH Brian Fuentes(1-4,3.00, 17 saves) got his 18th save with 2 Ks in the inning. Viewed by many as a strong candidate for trade, he set the franchise record for saves at 103. His Manager, popular ex player Clint Hurdle had high praise for his closer.”It’s wonderful,” Hurdle said. “There’s longevity, there’s success, there’s talent, commitment. He’s dealt with some adversity. He’s come out on top of it. Good for him. There’s a new name on the board.”

Star of the Game-

Cook- Did not have his best stuff but fought for his team,”The term is effectively ugly,” Cook said of his outing. “The team gave me some runs early, and that made things easier.” Colorado Manager Clint Hurdle had high praise, praising his gutty ace, “There was some grit,” he said. “He did not have his best stuff.”

Pirates Notes-

2b Freddy Sanchez missed his 3rd consecutive game with back spasms….3rd base coach Tony Beasley sang the National Anthem…Team has been linked to several trade rumors, with Bay, LH RP John Grabow and SS Jack Wilson names the most commonly mentioned

Next Game-

Team is off Thursday, Start series at Wrigley Field vs the Cubs Friday

2:20 start

Pirates RH Jeff Karstens(1-4,11.05) vs Cubs RH  Jason Marquis(6-6,4.69)

Game 107 Recap-

Down 4-0 early, the Pittsburgh Pirates rallied,led by INF Luis Rivas 3 hits and 3 rbi, to defeat the Colorado Rockies,6-4 Tuesday at PNC Park. “This team never gives up,”Rivas said. “We’re going to work hard the whole way.” The Pirates bullpen pitched 4 shutout innings to support RH SP Yuslan Herrera’s 4 ML start.

The Rockies jumped out early vs Herrera(1-1,9.00) with 3 runs in the 1st, LF Brad Hawpe, 1b Garrett Atkins and 3b Ian Stewart all had run producing hits. Stewart added a run scoring single in the 3rd to make it 4-0. Herrera’s line was solid after his 1st inning struggles, over 5 innings, he allowed 6 hits and 4 runs with 4 walks and a K.

The Pirates rally started in the 3rd vs veteran LH Glendon Rusch(4-3,5.70) when Rivas singled home a run, in the 5th, Rivas tripled in 2 more runs. RH Matt Herges(3-4,4.76,blown save #5) gave up the lead and game in the 6th when 1b Doug Mientkiewicz(double) and PH Chris Gomez(sac fly) produced back to back run scoring plays to make it 5-4 Pittsburgh. LF Jason Bay added a huge insurance run in the 7th with an rbi single.

The redone Pittsburgh bullpen was a huge part of this win, as mentioned previously, the did not allow a run and Manager John Russell did a great job mix and matching his relievers. RH Jason Davis(.000), LH John Grabow(3.19), RH Denny Bautista(3.37), LH Sean Burnett(4.33) and finally, RH Tyler Yates all pitched great and Yates earned his 1st save of the season.

Star of the Game-

Rivas- For a team under .500, the Pirates boast good depth with guys like Rivas, Mientkiewicz, Gomez and Jason Michaels on the pine. “When Luis is called upon to start, he has had some big games,” Pittsburgh manager John Russell said. “He did a great job tonight.”

Pirates Notes-

1b Adam Laroche was placed on the DL with a back injury and the team has recalled SS Brian Bixler… Rivas 3 hits led the team, Bay and McLouth both added 2 hits

Next Game-

Wednesday,7:05, PNC Park

Pirates LH Zach Duke(4-8,5.04) vs Rockies RH Aaron Cook(13-6,3.46)

Game 106 Recap-

Veteran Pirate RH Ian Snell rallied from a tough spot and helped Pittsburgh defeat the NL Champion Colorado Rockies, 8-4 Monday at PNC Park. Snell allowed a 2 run shot to reigning NL MVP LF Matt Holliday in the first and another run in the 2nd after a rbi single by CF Wily Tavarez, he retired 14 of the next 17 batters he faced. “I was focusing on throwing strikes, that was it,” Snell said. “It was a team effort. Everybody pitched in. I helped my team stay in the game. That was my job.”

Snell(4-8,6.04), who signed a big contract extension in the offseason & won 23 games over 2007-2008, has had a tough season and with all of the injuries and young pitchers around him, a strong 2nd half would bolster the Pirates greatly. Over 7 innings, he allowed 8 hits & 4 runs with 8 strikeouts and 1 walk. “We know he can pitch,”Pittsburgh Manager John Russell said. “He’s proven it. He’s just had a tough time this year. It was nice to see him win tonight. That’s what we’ve been looking for. Hopefully, it’s a turning point.”

The Pirates rallied around Snell and put together a comeback, starting in the 5th. Rockies starter, LH Valerio  de Los Santos(0-2,4.50) had a high pitch count and tired, he had control issues all night with 6 walks. C Ryan Doumit doubled in 2 runs,1b Doug Mientkiewicz  followed with a rbi single and a RF Steve Pearce added a sacrifice fly for a 4 run uprising. The Pirates then took the game in the 6th, hi-lighted by CF Nate McLouth’s tape measure shot to right, Mientkiewicz(single) and Pearce(sac fly) added rbis to make it 7-3 Pirates.

The teams exchanged runs in the 7th, as the Rockies scored via a double play  & McLouth added to his big night with a rbi ground out. RH RP Denny Bautista continued his strong Pirates season with 2 solid innings to close out the game for the ‘Burgh, with 4 Ks over his stint.

Star of the Game-

Snell- Pitching is vital right now and this was a much needed performance and very welcomed.

Pirates Notes-

1b Adam Laroche and 2b Freddy Sanchez both sat out with back injuries suffered in Sunday’s game. Chris Gomez played 2b and Mientkiewicz was at 1st…7 game team streak without an error…. McLouth’s homer was the 23rd to land in Allegheny River, going an estimated 450 feet…Doumit and Mientkiewicz both had 3 hits

Next Game-

Tuesday, 7:05, PNC Park

Pirates RH Yoslan Herrera(1-1,9.75) vs Rockies LH Glendon Rusch(4-3,5.74)

Game 105 Recap-

San Diego Padres RH starter and reigning Cy Young winner Jake Peavy(8-6,2.67) was dominant and the Pittsburgh Pirates could do little about it, losing 3-1 Sunday at PNC  Park in Pennsylvania. Peavy was outstanding over 7 innings, he allowed 4 hits and 1 run with 10 Ks and a walk.CF Scott Hairston homered in the 8th to supply the decisive run.

Pirates LH Paul Maholm(7-6,3.79) continued his strong run of late, and deserved better. Over 7 innings, he  also gave up 4 hits and a run with 9 Ks and 3 walks. LH RP John Grabow(5-3,3.25) gave up Hairston’s homer and another solo shot to C Josh Bard in the 9th.

The Pirates lone run came in the 4th vs Peavy when All Star CF Nate McLouth walked and stole 2nd. 1b Adam Laroche singled him in from 2nd. Padres certain Hall of Fame closer Trevor Hoffman pitched a 1-2-3 9th, striking out PH Ryan Doumit(.327)  for his 3rd save of the series and his 21st of the 2008 campaign.

Star of the Game-

Peavy- Let this stud speak for himself, “It was a good day,” he said. “I had good command and was able to get ahead. Those guys over there have been scoring runs. I knew I had to show up today.” His Manager, ex ML pitcher Bud Black added,”Jake had tremendous command of the fastball away to both sides,” Black said. “Jake threw the fastball with conviction. Later in the game, he threw a couple of great sliders to get out of jams. You could see it coming, a low-scoring game where the outcome might be determined by one swing.”

Pirates Notes-

RH John Van Benschoten(1-3,10.48) was sent down to Triple A while RH Jason Davis was recalled(6-9,4.41 in 21 games). RH Jeff Karstens,acquired in the Nady-Marte giveaway, will take Van Benschoten’s spot in the rotation….2b Freddy Sanchez(1st) and Laroche(8th) both left the game with back spasms, Manager John Russell said they are day to day

Next Game-

Start a 3 game series vs the Colorado Rockies at PNC Park

Pirates RH Ian Snell(3-8,6.10) vs Rockies RH Jason Hirsh(5-7,4.81)

Pirates-Yankees trade was finalized and players going to Pirates for RF Xavier Nady and RP Damaso Marte.

OF Jose Tabata, RH Jeff Karstens, Dan McCutchen & Ross Ohlendorf.

Karstens and McCutchen substituted for minor leaguers pitchers Phil Coke and George Kontos

Game 104 Recap-

San Diego 1b Adrian Gonzalez and 3b Kevin  Kouzmanoff both hit early 3 run home runs to lead the Padres over the Pittsburgh Pirates, 9-6 Saturday at PNC Park in Pennsylvania. The Padres punished Pirates RH SP John Van Benschoten and he was in the shower by the 2nd inning. Gonzalez had 3 hits, CF Jody Gerut, SP John Banks and C Nick Hundley all had 2 to lead the San Diego attack.

Pirates RH John Van Benschoten(1-3,10.48)  has another tough outing, over 1 2/3 innings he allowed 6 hits and 7 runs with 2 Ks and 4 walks. His 9.04 career era over 19 starts is the highest in ML history for a pitcher with that many starts!”He didn’t throw well,” manager John Russell said. “I don’t know what else to say.” The walks came back to haunt him as 3 of them came in after homers.”I kept saying to myself, `I’ve got to find it, I’ve got to find it,’ but, unfortunately, I never found it,” Van Benschoten said. “It’s frustrating.”

Padres RH Josh Banks competed  over 5 2/3 innings, allowing 6 hits and 5 runs with 3 Ks and 2 walks. The Pirates hit 3 homers themselves-OF Jason Michaels(2 run shot) & solo shots from 1b Adam Laroche(3 in 2 games) & 3b Jose Bautista. C Ryan Doumit & Michaels added  rbi singles. The Padres pen- a huge strength- allowed only Bautista’s homer over 3 1/3 innings, while future Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman only used 1 pitch to earn his 20th save.

Star of the Game-

Gonzalez-3 for 5 with 2 homers,4 rbi and 3 runs

Pirates Notes-

Slumping SS Jack Wilson’s batting average has dropped from .299 at the break to .270…Top Prospect Steve Pearce started in RF and was 1 for 4… Laroche, Michaels and Doumit had 2 hits

Next Game-

Sunday, 1:35 at PNC Park

Pirates LH Paul Maholm(7-6,3.92) vs Padres RH Jake Peavy(7-6,2.76)

Game 103 Recap-

On a night when the team traded 2 of their better players(see previous post), The Pittsburgh Pirates showed heart-as they have all season- but came up just short, losing to the San Diego Padres,6-5 Friday at PNC Park. The team without RF Xavier Nady(pulled and replaced with Jason Michaels) and closer Damaso Marte, competed on a tough night. “You could sense it in the eighth,” Pirates Manager John Russell said. “These guys they knew they had to come together. We were two players short tonight. You could feel the intensity and the focus, and unfortunately we lost. But (this team) is a special bunch.”

Veteran LH Zach Duke(4-8,5.04) battled for 6 innings, allowing 7 hits and 5 runs with 5 Ks and 2 walks. He gave up a single run in the 1st( C Josh Bard rbi) and 1b Adrian Gonzalez hit a 2 run shot in the 4th. The Padres scratched out 2 more runs in the 6th to close Duke’s line with rookie phenom Chase Headley singling in a run and Bard plating the other with a ground out.

Padres RH Cha Seung Baek(3-4,4,86) got the win and was solid, 5 1/3 innings pitched with 7 hits allowed & 4 runs against. He also struck out 3 and walked 1. 1b Adam Laroche got him for 2 home runs(solo shots in the 2nd & 4th. The Pirates got some more runs in the 6th but ran themselves into 2 outs. 3b Doug Mientkiewicz singled in a run, then PH Chris Gomez hit a single to right scoring a 2nd run. However, on the play Mientkiewicz was thrown out going to third and Gomez was also thrown out going to 2nd. HUGE PLAY in a 5-4 game.

The Padres got a big insurance run in the 7th when 3b Kevin Kouzmanoff singled home ex Pirate Brian Giles vs RH Tyler Yates(4-2,4.13). Padres RH Heath Bell(15 holds, 3.31) ran into some trouble in the 8th, allowing the first 3 base runners to reach.(2 singles and a hit by pitch) However, a K, lineout and pop up mixed around a bases loaded walk produced only 1 run. Future Hall of Fame closer Trevor Hoffman had no such trouble in the clean 1-2-3 ninth, like clockwork a ground out, fly out and ground out for his 19th save.

Star of the Game-

Pirates players- In a night when management failed them, they played like pros. Not bad for the New York Yankees farm team!

Pirates Notes-

Pirates passed 1 million in attendance with the 25,727 at PNC Park… Laroche, Sanchez,Doumit, Laroche and Mientkiewicz all had 2 hits….

Next Game-

Saturday, 7:05, PNC Park

Pirates RH John Van Benschoten(1-2,8.27) vs Padres RH Josh Banks(2-4,3.51)

Tough, tough night for Pirates fans. Team has traded LH Damaso Marte(4-0,3.47.5 saves,15 holds) & RF Xavier Nady(.330-13-57) to the New York Yankees for 4 prospects– top OF prospect Jose Tabata, RHPs Ross Ohlendorf(6.53 era) & George Kontos as well as LH Phil Coke. This was tough as the move was announced and leaked midgame, “It was emotional,” manager John Russell said. “Guys were, I wouldn’t say shocked, but it was kind of a situation where it happened rather quickly. It was a special moment in a lot of ways. You could feel the outpouring for those guys when they came to say their goodbyes. It was genuine feelings.”

Simple question- When are the Pirates going to try and win? Sell, sell ,sell. The Tampa Bay Rays are winning!!!!!!!!!!!!”You never want to lose good guys as teammates but you know what? It’s funny. We go through it every year here,” Pirates starter Zach Duke said. “I’m sure it’s something that made sense from a baseball standpoint.”

Game 102 Recap-

RH Yoslan Herrera,(1-1,9.75), starred over 6 shut out innings, earned his 1st ML win and the team supported him with 9 runs, helping the Pittsburgh Pirates defeat the San Diego Padres, 9-1 Thursday at PNC Park. The club broke a 3 game losing streak and all 3 starting outfielders(LF Jason Bay, CF Nate McLouth & RF Xavier Nady) hit homers.  “I’m very happy,” Herrera said. “There are no words to say. I’m very, very happy to have picked up my first win.”

The Pirates got the support Herrera would need early and added on all game. SD RH Clay Hensley(1-1,5.40) allowed 2 runs in the 1st, C Ryan Doumit doubled in the opening run and Bay hit a sacrifice fly for the 2nd. Bay and Nady homered back to back in the 4th(1st time all season for Pirates). A bases loaded walk and McLouth sac fly made it 6-0.

Herrera was the story from the start, over his 6 innings, he gave up 6 hits with 4 Ks and a walk. “He had command of his pitches,” Pittsburgh manager John Russell said. “It was a clean start for him. He had the first-start jitters, and his second start wasn’t even relevant. Tonight, he looked relaxed.” C Ryan Doumit said he had “great stuff” adding, “We talked before the game about how he needed to use his sinker,” Doumit said. “He used it, it moved a lot, and it kept the other team in check. He’s always had stuff that moved. The key to getting major league hitters out is getting ahead in the count. That’s what he did tonight.”

The Padres scored a single run vs RH Denny Bautista in the 8th via an rbi single from All Star 1b Adrian Gonzalez in the 8th. The Pirates answered with 3 runs with Luis Rivas driving in the 1st run and McLouth’s homer following that for a 9-1 spread. LH Sean Burnett(4.50) pitched the 9th and struck 2 batters including the final out for a solid 9-1 Pirates win.

Star of the Game-

Herrera- Much needed for the team and staff, a great scene with the the Pirates dousing him with water bottles and presenting him with the game ball. “It’s a gift I’m going to keep for the rest of my life,” Herrera said Thursday night through his translator, Pirates bullpen coach Luis Dorante.

Pirates Notes-
Rivas started at SS , going 1 for 4 with a run and rbi(#17)…Doug Mientkiewicz was at 3rd for the 2nd consecutive day and went 2 for 4 with a run

Next Game-

Pirates LH Zach Duke(4-7,4.92) vs Padres RH Cha Seung Baek(2-5,4.94)