Imagine building a huge deck-of-cards house with two levels, carefully putting the finishing card into place only to have the school bully come and shake the table. The whole house comes tumbling down. Now you have the idea of what it might have felt over there at PNC tonight. One night after riding the emotions of the sellout crowd to victory, the Pirates watched the Yankees systematically pick them apart.

Joba Chamberlain looked strong against the Bucs throwing 114 pitches in 6 and 2/3 innings, mixing in a curveball with his mid to upper 90’s fastball that kept the Pirates hitters off balance all night. His counterpart Zach Duke pitched well enough for 5 innings, but the 2 runs scoring on a missed doubleplay opportunity in the 1st, set the tone for the rest of the evening.

The offense scattered 8 hits on the night, Doumit with 2 and Jack Wilson went 3 for 3, but he committed the throwing error that allowed the Yankees to score those 2 runs in the 1st and then committed another throwing error later in the game. Even though Jack went 3 for 3 his error cost the Bucs, and if this was hockey he would have picked up a -2 on the night.

There really isn’t much more to say about this game other than T.J. Beam doesn’t appear to be able to get anyone out at the Major League level and the bullpen that was once the strength of the pitching staff is now starting to show signs of coming apart. The Pirates did complete a trade with the Detroit Tigers before tonights game, sending minor leaguer Kyle Pearson for relief pitcher Denny Bautista. That will probably guarantee the departure of Beam back to Indianapolis.

It seemed as though the Pirates wanted to honor their all-time greatest defensive second baseman with a little offense. In Mazeroski style, the Bucs battered the Yankees with 9 extra-basehits, 2 of which left the yard. The offense came alive, emulating the Yankees by exhibiting patience at the plate, and getting timely hitting that drove Yankees starter Darrell Rasner out of the game after just five innings, handing him 10 hits and 7 runs, all earned.

Ryan Doumit returned to the lineup and picked up right where he left off with 3 hits out of 5 including a Home Run to right-center field in the 5th inning. Doumits presence in the middle of the order is really starting to bring confidence to the Pirates offense, many I am sure are suprised by the quality of hitter Doumit has become, but I am sure upper management felt he just needed a chance to play everyday, and he hasn’t disappointed.

Jose Bautista aka “Joey Bats” has continued to improve since being reinstated as the regular third baseman, his home run to left field gave the Bucs a 5-1 lead in the 4th, but I was more impressed with his apporach at the plate. Jose was able to bring the count to 3-2 in the 2nd(he struck out), and in the 4th but with each of those at-bats Jose fouled off numerous pitches, being patient and seeing everything Rasner had to offer. When Jose is hitting well, he is seeing many pitches, proving to be a good sign for the Pirates. Freddy Sanchez and Adam LaRoche each struggling this year at the plate, each enjoyed 3 hit nights. We shall see how that carries over to game 2 Wednesday night.

The most productive outfield in baseball was up to its usual antics last night even without one of its key contributors. McLouth and Bay each had 2 doubles apiece, but Mientkiewicz stepping in for Nady went 2 of 3 himself with an RBI single. Even Nyjer Morgan, who replaced Bay later in the game wanted in on the action, doubling off of Yankee reliever Edwar Ramirez, knocking in 2 runs. All in all, the Bucco outfield combined to hit 7 of 13 with 5 doubles and 4 RBI. With the consistent offense that the Pirates outfield is producing, you can’t help but wonder, that if the Pirates could get 6 to 7 quality innings from their starters every night, how things might be very interesting.

Tom Gorzelanney struggled for most of the evening, at one point even walking 2 batters on 8 straight balls. There are positives and there are negatives surrounding his start last evening, the negatives would include his 5 walks and his inability to find the plate, whereas we can draw positives from that as well. Even though Gorzelanny walked 5 he was able to battle and escape a few innings with the double-play ball, and as it seemed as though he was flirting with disaster every inning, Gorzo was able to limit the Yankees to 3 runs in 6. His efforts will go a long way in the clubhouse and hopefully give himself something to build on.

Much had been made about the Yankees return to the ‘Burgh after 48 years and with the drubbing the Pirates took at the hands of the Yankees the past 2 seasons, I believe many were wondering just how the they would respond. Its no secret that this is usually the time where the Pirates fold up their tents and pack it in for the season, leaving Pittsburgh fans to scour the newswires for Steelers news. With Snell and Dumatrait having setbacks and Nady still nursing a sore shoulder, it still could very well happen. But this was a game that could make a statement, proving the fight is still there.

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Cito Gastin returned to the Toronto Blue Jays Friday night in hopes salvaging a disappointing season, unfortunately the Pirates weren’t interested in celebrating with him tonight.  The Pirates were coming off  a very difficult road trip in the windy city where the pitching staff was battered to the tune of 37 runs, and were turning  to Zach Duke for some much needed stability.  Prior to the game, Nyjer Morgan was recalled from Indianapolis at the expense of Marino Salas to give the Pirates an extra fielder with Doumit still sidelined with a concussion, and Nady nursing a sore shoulder.  With two major offensive pieces on the bench, the Pirates were in hopes that Duke could give them some quality innings to rest up that tired bullpen.  Zach Duke did just that, he  pitched 7 strong innings giving up 6 hits, striking out 4 and only walking 1 and was on the receiving end of some spectacular defensive plays, three of which were by Doug Mientkiewicz, starting at third, and one beauty by Jack Flash deep in the hole between short and third.  Roy Halladay for the Jays was equal to the task, pitching 7 strong, giving up 7 hits and striking out 7, only leaving the game in the 7^th after being drilled in the side of the head by a line drive off of the bat of Nyjer Morgan.  Halladay, according to Gastin was ok and not expected to miss as start.  After the 7^th the game was turned over to that tired bullpen, but tonight  Marte, Capps, and Yates combined to give the Pirates 5 scoreless innings of relief. A difficult situation for the bullpen because the Jays and the Pirates decided to play some extra baseball to the delight of the 28,962 in attendance   Mientkiewicz, in addition to his stellar defensive display also provided most of the offense during the game going 3 of 4, including the leadoff double in the 12^th which would allow him to score the game’s only run off of a bases loaded dribbler up the middle off the bat of Jason Michaels. Although the Blue Jays offense is struggling, it was important for the Pirates to come back from the sweep in Chicago with a win.  It was definitely no easy task against a pitcher like Roy Halladay, but the Pirates were able to get it done.

The Pittsburgh Pirates were beat by the Chicago White Sox 13-8 on Thursday afternoon.  With the six run loss, the Pirates were swept in the three game series with the White Sox.  That was definaly not the way the Pirates had hoped for things to go in Chicago.  I think the Pirates had better just stay away from Chicago for the rest of the year as they just can’t beat the White Sox or the Cubs it seems.

Phil Dumatrait was rocked for eleven hits and nine runs in only five innings of action as he put the Pirates in a deep hole right away in the game.  Dumatrait is now 3-4 on the season after taking the loss.  Anytime your starting pitcher gives up nine runs that early in the game, it takes all the momentum out of the rest of the players.  Just a bad deal all around.

John Grabow did about just as nice of a job as Dumatrait did as he gave up three hits and four runs in only one inning of action.  Finally the scoring stopped for the White Sox as Damaso Marte and Sean Burnett pitched scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth innings.

Freddy Sanchez had a two run home run and three rbi to lead the Pirates at the plate.  Lead off man Nate McLouth also had three rbi in the game as he had a bases clearing triple in the second inning.  Jason Bay had a rbi infield single in the ninth inning which was the final run for the Pirates in the game.

So there you have it, just like we had blogged about after last nights game.  We figured the Pirates would lose and that is exactly what happened.

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The Pittsburgh Pirates struggled for the second straight night in Chicago.  Atleast this time the Pirates didn’t lose by more then ten runs, but it was still a pretty bad game.  The Pirates were defeated by the White Sox 8-2 as the White Sox took a 2-0 lead in the three game series.

Tom Gorzelanny threw six innings while allowing five hits and four runs.  Gorzelanny gave up four walks, struckout four, and gave up three home runs.  Look at the four walks and the three home runs and you have your answer as to why the Pirates lost this game.  Gorzelanny is now 5-6 on the season after taking the loss.

Tyler Yates pitched the last two innings of the game and threw the ball just as bad as Gorzelanny did.  Yates gave up five hits and allowed four runs to cross the plate.  Three of the four runs were earned.

Jose Bautista had a solo home run in the sixth inning to get the Pirates on the scoreboard.  The second Pirates run came in the eighth inning when Luis Rivas single to center to score Bautista.

The Pirates will now try to avoid the three game sweep on Thursday.  I have my doubts if they will get the job done.

Pirates Blog

Talk about a big time blow out loss for the Pittsburgh Pirates as they were beat Tuesday evening 16-5 by the Chicago White Sox.  All four Pirates pitchers in the game gave up atleast one run while three of them gave up aleast three or more runs!  Four home runs by the White Sox sure didn’t help either.

Starting pitcher Ian Snell dropped to 3-7 on the season as he took the loss for the Pirates.  Snell pitched four innings and gave up nine hits, seven runs, and walked six batters.  Now that is a terrible job by the starting pitcher!

Franquelis Osoria came in and pitched two innings while giving up four hits and three runs including a home run.  Marino Salas had a terrible outing after Osoria left the game as he only recorded two outs and gave up two home runs and five runs.  Sean Burnett wanted his turn and got it as he pitched 1 2/3 innings giving up one run.  Terrible outing by all four Pirates pitchers.

Jason Michaels led the Pirates at the plate with two rbi.  Both runs scored in the second inning when he had a two run double.  Jose Bautista hit a solo home run to account for his rbi while Nate McLouth and Doug Mientkiewicz also had one rbi each in the game.

I wouldn’t expect another blow out that bad on Wednesday when the two teams face off again.  Atleast I hope it is a little bit closer lol.

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The Pittsburgh Pirates were able to take two out of three games against the Washington Nationals as they won 7-5 on Thursday afternoon.  The Pirates were able to put a lot of pressure on the Nationals early in the game and knocked Nationals starting pitcher Jason Bergmann out after just a little over four innings pitched.

Ryan Doumit hit his ninth home run of the season in the first inning to give the Pirates a 2-0 lead.  Doumit ended up leading the Pirates at the plate with three rbi.  After Doumit’s three rbi, four different Pirates players had one rbi in the game.  Nate McLouth, Jason Bay, Tom Gorzelanny, and Jason Michaels all had one rbi in the game.

Gorzelanny ended up getting the victory (his fifth) after throwing 5 2/3 innings.  Gorzelanny gave up six hits and thre runs while striking out six batters and walking three.  Not too bad of an outing, but it would have been nice to see him throw longer in the game and cut down on the walks.

One cause of concern would be the Pirates Bullpen as they gave up five hits and two runs.  Sean Burnett pitched 1/3 of an inning and allowed two hits and one run.  Franquelis Osoria then pitched 1 2/3 innings as he gave up another run.  Tyler Yates and Damaso Marte were finally able to pitch without giving up a run.

The Pirates will now travel down to Baltimore to take on the Orioles in a three game weekend series that begins on Friday.  Orioles Blog

The Pittsburgh Pirates were able to come away with a 3-1 victory over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday night.  The Pirates scored single runs in the first, fifth, and seventh innings of the games and then held off the Nationals late in the game.

Ian Snell picked up his third win of the season and is now 3-6.  Snell threw six innings while giving up six hits and one run.  Snell struckout six batters and walked three in his six innings of action.  Damaso Marte, Tyler Yates, and Matt Capps all threw one inning of scoreless relief after Snell left the game.  Capps earned his 16th save of the season in the game.

Jason Bay got the scoring started for the Pirates in the first inning when he doubled and scored Nate McLouth.  Onto the fifth inning where Ryan Doumit hit a solo home run for the Pirates second run.  In the seventh inning it was Xavier Nady who singled to right field to score Freddy Sanchez.

Good win for the Pirates who will go for the series win on Thursday against the Nationals.  What do you think Pirates fans?  Do they get the series win?

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