Pirates Journal

Game 89 Recap-

In a game that featured crazy weather and 4 homers(2 by each team), the Pittsburgh Pirates rallied for 3 in the 8th to beat the Houston Astros,4-3. The game started late and was stopped in the 6th for another 30 minutes, strange, strange game. 7 runs, 6 produced by home runs- Astros RF Hunter Pence(solo in 4th) & LF Carlos Lee(2 run shot in the 5th) producing the Houston runs. Pirates All Star CF Nate McLouth homered in the 5th and suddenly resurgent 1b Adam Laroche(.444 in July, solo shot in the 8th) made it 3-2. McLouth singled in 2 runs for a 4-3 lead in the 8th.

Teams had to scramble for pitchers with the rain delays and stoppages. Stros used 6 pitchers and Pirates 5. Good move by Manager John Russell was smart to keep RH Ian Snell out after the weather problems, with his arm injury issues. LH John Grabow(5-2,3.35) was great over 2 in the 7th & 8th while new closer Damaso Marte(3.38) overcame a 9th inning walk to get his 3rd save.

Star of the Game-

McLouth- 3 rbi and could not be a more deserving team rep at the All Star game! Went to camp battling for a starting spot, worked hard and is considered a team leader.

Pirates Notes-

Laroche lead the team with 3 hits…Team is believed to have taken SS Jack Wilson out of trade discussions, according to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. They would like to keep him and have turned down trade offers

Next Game

Series finale vs Houston at PNC Park

Pirates RH John Van Benschoten(1-2,10.64) vs Houston RH Brian Moehler(4-4,4.13)

Game 88 Recap-

The Pittsburgh Pirates collected 14 hits, while CF Nate McLouth and C Ryan Doumit homered, leading the way in a 10-7 victory over the Houston Astros Monday at PNC Park. The Astros played a 17 inning game Sunday, using 6 relievers for 10 2/3 innings & they needed a big game from starter Runelvys Hernandez(0-3,10.29) and he was not up to the task. Over 4 innings, he allowed 13 hits and 10 runs with 4 walks and 3 strikeouts. “With the bullpen being a little light, we just had to keep sending him out there,” Houston manager Cecil Cooper said. “He had to go. We needed the innings from him. That was the bottom line.”

Pirates LH Phil Dumatrait was not strong in his 1st start since returning from injury. He went 3 1/3 innings while allowing 9 hits & 7 runs with 2 walks and 1 K. RH Denny Bautista stopped the bleeding over 2 2/3 innings to get the win with no base runners and 3 Ks mixed in.

Houston scored 3 in the first via a 2 run shot by LF Carlos Lee and an rbi single from ex Pirate Ty Wigginton. The Pirates scored 4 in their opening frame with 4 rbi singles, including Dumatrait driving in a run! McLouth homered and RF Xavier Nady doubled in a run for a 6-3 lead in the 2nd. Houston rallied for 4 in the 4th with Lee and All Star 1b Lance Berkman having big hits, temporarily taking a 7-6 lead.

Pittsburgh regained the lead with 3 runs in the 4th. Doumit hit a 2 run homer and RP Bautista added the 2nd rbi by the pitchers with an infield hit. SS Jack Wilson added another run after an rbi single to center. RH Tyler Yates(3.68) did not allow a runner over the 7th and 8th with 3 Ks. LH Damaso Marte(3.46) pitched the 9th for his 2nd save & a 10-7 Pirates win.

Star of the Game-

Pirates Notes-
With RHP Ian Snell returning from the DL to start Tuesday, the team will option top prospect OF-1b Steve Pearce back to Triple A…McLouth was picked for the All star game Sunday, very well deserved with a .279-16-57 stat line…1b Adam Laroche, 2b Luis Rivas, RF Jason Bay and Nady all had 2 hits to lead the club

Next Game-

Game 2 of a 3 game series vs the Astros

Tuesday, 7:05 PNC Park

Pirates RH Ian Snell(3-7,5.99) vs Astros RH Brandon Backe(5-9,5.22)

Game 87 Recap-

The Milwaukee Brewers rapped out 16 hits, helping them sweep the3 game series vs  struggling Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday, 11-6 at Miller Park in Wisconsin.  The Brew crew tied franchise records with 9 doubled and 12 extra base hits,” We feel like we’re rolling on all cylinders,” said 3b Bill Hall, who had three RBIs. “We’re hitting the ball all over the place.”

Pirates starter LH Zach Duke beared the brunt of the assault and allowed 4 runs in the 1st. SS JJ Hardy( 2 run) and LF Ryan Braun homered, then Hall singled in another run. Pittsburgh rallied for 4 in the 2nd via a homer from LF Jason Bay & bases loaded double from CF Nate McLouth.  1b Adam Laroche homered in the  2nd with 1 runner on and it was 6-4 Pittsburgh. Veteran Brewers SP, RH Jeff Suppan,(5-6,4.71) did not have much success. He allowed 5 hits and 6 runs with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts over 3 innings.

Milwaukee rallied in the 3rd to both tie the game and chase Duke, hi-lighted by rbi doubles from Hall and RF Corey Hart. Duke’s day was done at 2 1/3 innings plus with 7 hits, 6 runs(5 earned) with 3 walks and 1 K. Hardy hit another 2 run shot, Hart doubled again and Hall followed with a 2 bagger of his own, quickly making it 10-6 Milwaukee. A rbi single by super sub Gabe Kapler ended the scoring in the 6th at 11-6.

Star of the Game-

Hardy– Red hot and one of my fantasy team SSs!!!! .446 over his last 18 games!

Pirates News-

McLouth’s 2 hits led the team….Super prospect Steve Pearce pinch hit and had a double in the 9th….Team has lost 3 straight & is now in last place in the division, over the streak they hit .220 with 21 Ks and 5 errors

Next Game-

Monday, start a 3 game series vs the Houston Astros at PNC Park

Pirates LH Phil Dumatrait(3-4,4.66) vs Astros Runelvys Hernandez(0-2,5.40)

Game 86 Recap-

Brewes slugging 1b Prince Fielder singled to left center in the 9th, driving in 2b Richie Weeks and helping  Milwaukee beat the Pittsburgh Pirates,2-1 in Wisconsin Saturday night. This was a low scoring ,well played game and fast moving as well.(Just under 2:15 in game time,shortest game at Miller Park all season)

Pirates LH Paul Maholm(5-5,4.05) was outstanding over 8 innings, allowing only a homer to CF Mike Cameron in the 2nd. His line: 4 hits, 1 run, 1 walk, 6 Ks. Brewers veteran RH Dave Bush was also impressive, with 8 innings pitched, 4 hits and 1 run allowed. He K-ed seven. 3b Jose Bautista doubled in the Pirates lone run in the 5th.

Pirates RH Tyler Yates(3-2,3.86) broke the cardinal sin of relief pitching- he walked Weeks to lead off. SS JJ Hardy bunted weeks to 2nd and the Pirates walked power hitting LF Ryan Braun to set up the double play. Fielder then clutched up and won the game.”It was our best chance for the double play,” Pirates manager John Russell said. “Fielder has not been swinging it great. He’s obviously a very good hitter. … But you have to look back at the 0-2 walk to Weeks. That’s what really hurt us. You give up the walk there and that’s what put us in that situation.”

Star of the Game-

Both starters- 16 innings, 2 runs, should split a win!

Pirates Notes-

Pirates optioned LH Tom Gorzelanny(6-7,6.57) was optioned after his rough outing Friday, the young southpaw has regressed since his breakout campaign of 2007(14-10,3.88),   “It’s something we’ve been looking at for quite some time,” Pittsburgh manager John Russell said. “We’ve been trying to get him back on track the last few weeks and get him to be more like the pitcher he was all last year.” No roster move needed with 2 starting pitchers returning this week in LH Phil Dumatrait & RH Ian Snell…2b Fredy Sanchez who was out for the past 2 games, was back and went 1 for 4— 10 hits total in the game, 5 by each side

Next Game-

Sunday, Finale  of 4 game series

2:05

Pirates LH Zach Duke(4-5,3.88) vs Brewers RH Jeff Suppan(5-6,4.30)

Sorry Folks, even I need a vacation.. to follow the team, go to espn.com or pirates.com

Happy 4th of July- Do something for a Veteran!

Game 84 Recap-

On a night when the team learned closer Matt Capps would be gone for up to 2 months(see today’s breaking story) , the bats picked it up. RF Xavier Nady had 2 homers and 4 rbi to lead the Pirates to a 9-5 win over the Cincinnati Reds  Thursday at Great American Ball Park in Ohio. The win gave them back to back road wins for the 2nd time this season and also gave them the series victory at 2-1. 3b Jose Bautista also homered for the Pirates.

This was a huge win, the team was down with the Capps’ injury news. “Everybody was disappointed in the situation,” manager John Russell said, referring to Capps going on the disabled list. “They felt bad for him. He’s a big part of our bullpen. He’s not only the closer, but a leader out there.” With the popular closer out for a while, look for the team to use a committee to close games- LH Damaso Marte(32 career saves), RH Tyler Yates or maybe even rookie RH Romulo Sanchez(save Tuesday).

The homers and hits came often in this game with 2 young starters and a hitter friendly park in play. RH John Van Benschoten started the game and was ineffective over 2 1/3, he allowed 5 hits and 5 runs with 3 homers allowed. Rookie CF Jay Bruce(1st) and LF Adam Dunn(2nd) homered for the Reds  after the Pirates plated 4 in the 1st. Two scored on ground outs while LF Jason Bay(single) and 2b Luis Rivas(double) has run producing hits. Bruce homered again in the 2nd with 2 on to end the night for Van Benschoten(1-10 in starts over his career).

Reds starter, rh Daryl Thompson pitched deeper into the game but was also ineffective. He last 4+( 4 1/3 innings) with 8 hits and 7 runs allowed. Nady got his 2 homers off of the youngster, a solo in the 3rd and 2 run shot in the 5th. The Pirates bullpen was outstanding tonight(they will need to be with 4 regular pitchers on the DL), new comer, RH Denny Bautista(1-0,2.70 era) got the win with 3 1/3 innings of 1 hit ball. LH Sean Burnett(5.18) and John Grabow(8 holds,3.37) combined for 2 1/3 innings of hitless ball. The Pirates added two more insurance runs on a rbi triple from 1b Adam Laroche and Bautista’s 9th inning homer. RH Tyler Yates capped the win with a game ending strikeout and HUGE win for the boys in Black and Gold.

 Star of the Game-

Nady- 2 homers and 4 RBI

Pirates Notes-

Nady’s 2nd multi-homer game of the year(5 career), last time was March 31 in Atlanta… Nady led the team with 3 hits, 4 others had 2 hits each

Next Game-

Team is off Thursday

Start a 3 game series at Miller Park vs the Milwaukee Brewers Friday

2:05 Start for the 4th of July holiday

Pirates LH Tom Gorzelanny(6-6,6.18) vs Brewers RH Ben Sheets(9-2,2.83)

June 2

BREAKING NEWS

Pirates closer RH Matt Capps(2-3,3.12,17 saves ) will miss at least 8 weeks with a shoulder injury. After blowing his last 2 saves, he returned to Pittsburgh and an MRI showed bursitis & tightness that is preventing him getting full extension on his delivery.

General Manager Neal Huntington outlined a plan of treatment involving 4 week of rehabilitation then 4 weeks of pitching conditioning. This is the 4th Pirates regular on the pitching staff to go on the DL in the past 2 weeks, joining RH reliever Franquelis Osoria and starters LH Phil Dumatrait & RH Ian Snell.”We’re going through a tough stretch right now,” Huntington said during a conference call. “Matt’s a gamer. We know he’s going to be back.”

The team entered Wednesday’s game down one pitcher with the Capps injury. LH set up man Damaso Marte(4-0,3.54, 15 holds,1 save) has 32 career saves and is a strong option. Rookie RH Romulo Sanchez got the save in the game last night. “The reality is, it’s probably a very short-term move because we’re looking at Phil Dumatrait and hopefully Ian Snell coming off the disabled list at some point here sooner than later,” Huntington said. “So we’re not looking at this as being a long-term replacement for Matt Capps.”

The good news here? Capps inability ti finish his delivery could have led to a much more serious injury, like a torn labrum, if he continued to pitch. With proper rehab and rest, he should be ok and back without surgery.
“Ninety to 95 percent of pitchers that have this sort of problem, when it’s caught early like this, can go on a rehabilitation program, eliminate the range of motion deficit and go back and pitch healthy and pitch effectively,” Huntington said. “And that’s what we’re anticipating with Matt.”

Game 83 Recap-

What started out as a low scoring, well pitched game by 2 young starters, developed into a battle of bullpens and late inning comebacks with the Pirates doing it a bit better and beating the Cincinnati Reds, 6-5 in 11 innings at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. SS Jack Wilson(rbi triple) & CF Nate McLouth(rbi single) plated runs in the 11th and a rally by the Reds in the home half was a run short.

Pirates ace LH Zach Duke, (5 innings,6 hits, 1 run, 2 walks, 3 Ks) pitched well vs a very good offensive club. After he left the game, a ground out produced the only run on his ledger. Reds Phenom RH  Edinson Volquez(10-3,2.24) had a rougher night but was still tough. Over 5 1/3 innings, he allowed 7  hits with 3 runs while walking 3 and striking out 3. He allowed 3 run scoring hits, one in the 4th(3b Jose Bautista double) & 2 in the 6th(RF Doug  Mientkiewicz sacrifice fly & Adam Laroche double). It was now 3-1 Pittsburgh.

Reds underrated 2b Brandon Phillips tied the game in the 8th with a 2 run homer off of LH Damaso Marte(4-0,15 holds, 3.54). The teams exchanged runs in the 10th on hits by Pittsburgh’s Jason Michaels & Cincinatti’s Phillips.Phillips hit cost Pirates closer Matt Capps(2-3,3.12,17 saves) another save, as he has now blown 5 of his last 5 chances, after converting 15 to open the year.  Then we had the heroics in the 11th. Recent call up RH Romulo Sanchez(1st Pirates appearance, recalled Sunday) got the final out for the Pirates with 2 on to secure the win.

Star of the Game-

Sanchez- stopped the bleeding and had a memorable 1st career save

Pirates Notes-

Russell batted the pitcher 8th and Wilson 9th for the 2nd consecutive game…Team is 30-0 when leading after the 7th….Wilson’s 3 hits lead the team

Next Game-

Wednesday,7:10 pm at Cincinatti

Pirates RH John Van Benschoten(1-2,8.31) vs Reds RH Daryl Thompson(0-1,3.60)

Game 82 Recap-

Certified Hall of Famer CF Ken Griffey Jr hit a two run shot off of Pittsburgh closer Matt Capps(1-3,2.97 era, 17 saves) to close out a stunning Reds victory over the Pirates, 4-3 at All American Ballpark in Cincinati. This was a tight game all night as each clubs starter pitched great and deep into the game.

Capps will be happy to see June gone, he was 15 for 15 on save chances , then he blew his 1st save on June 10th. Since then, he has given up 4 of 6.”It’s been a rough month,” Capps said. “I gave up a home run to a Hall of Famer tonight. Tonight’s was probably the easiest one to do. He’s a pretty good hitter. It was down and had some movement on it.”

Pirates LH Paul Maholm(5-5,4.28) pitched great in a hitters park(7 innings, 5 hits, 2 runs with 5 Ks and 2 walks), allowing only a solo homer(Jerry Hairston jr in the 3rd) & a run producing ground out in the 6th.   Reds veteran RH Aaron Harang(3-10,4.47) was also impressive, with 7 innings of work with 7 hits and 3 runs allowed plus 8 strikeouts and 1 walk. 1b Adam Laroche was the Pirates offense, with a sacrifice fly in the 2nd and 2 run shot in the 6th to put the club up 3-2.

Star of the Game-

Griffey Jr- #603 wins the game

Pirates Notes-

LF Jason Bay extended his hitting streak to 8….Manager John Russell had the pitcher spot hit 8th and SS Jack Wilson bat 9th… Laroche led the team with 3 of the teams 9 hits

Next Game-

Tuesday, 7:10 pm, Great American Ballpark, Cincinnati

LH Zach Duke(4-5,3.99) vs Reds RH Edinson Volquez(10-3,2.08)

Game 81 Recap-

The Tampa Bay Rays got 4 run producing plays from back ups and got solid pitching from 3 sources, helping them beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 Sunday at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.   The win allows the Rays to take 2 of three in the series and puts them in 1st place for the first time since June 3.

C Shawn Riggans( home run, 2 rbi) and utility man Willy Aybar(homer, rbi and hit that forced an error to plate another run) helping RH Andy Sonnanstine(9-3,4.60) win his 9th game.   Set up man RH Dan Wheeler(1.93) got his 19th hold and veteran closer Troy Percival(2.96) pitched the 9th for his 19th save.

Veteran LH Tom Gorzelanny(6-6,6.18) battled and maybe has turned the corner on a tough 1st half. Over 6 innings, he allowed 8 hits and 2 runs with 8 strikeouts and 2 walks. Unfortunately, the Rays made him work and he was at 111 pitches over the 6 innings. Riggans’(4th) and Aybar’s (6th) homers accounted for both Rays runs. Pirates LF Jason Bay’s 4th inning sacrifice fly & CF Nate McLouth’s rbi ground out tied the score in the 6th.

Pirates RH Tyler Yates was also done in by the Rays 2 man offense.  Aybar singled and a throwing error by RF Xavier Nady(leads the NL in assists with 9) allowed a runner to score from 3rd to make it 3-2. Riggans then scored Aybar with a single and it was 4-2.The Pirates did not quit and C Ryan Doumi’s rbi single made it 4-3 in the 8th. Percival allowed a leadoff walk in the 9th but showed veteran moxie striking out the last 2 hitters of the game for a 4-3 win.

Star of the Game-

Sonnanstine— Effective and economic 7 innings with 98 pitches

Pirates Notes-

SS Jack Wilson had 2 hits to lead the club…. Gorzelanny, who has had a tough season to say the least, allowed fewer than 3 earned runs for the 1st time in 7 starts…Team should vote to cancel interleague play, they are 62-103 all time vs the AL

Next Game-

Monday,7:10

Opener of a 3 game series vs the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park

Pirates LH Paul Maholm(5-5,4.41) vs Reds Aaron Harang(3-10,4.51)