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Today, Pirates-Rockies, 7-19-2008

By Dejan Kovacevic | 2:11 p.m. Saturday

DENVER -- One probably should always hesitate before using terms such as "must-win" in relation to the Pirates. A must-win, in the eyes of some, is nothing other than a playoff elimination. For those with a broader definition, it can be applied to regular-season games but only those with great urgency.

Meaning those involving a contender.

By no means are these Pirates contenders, as becomes clearer and clearer by the day even to the most optimistic. At the same time, one might be able to argue that the game tonight -- which would prevent losing a series to a team that does not have as good a record nor as healthy a lineup -- probably is imperative toward sustaining any semblance of relevance to the 2008 season.

All that, and they are facing someone with a 7.26 ERA.

Getting ready ...

Game: Pirates (44-52) vs. Colorado Rockies (41-57), 8:05 p.m., Coors Field

Pitchers: RHP Yoslan Herrera (0-0, 12.46) vs. LHP Jorge De La Rosa (3-5, 7.26)

TV, radio: FSN Pittsburgh, WPGB-FM (104.7)

Weather: 92 degrees, clear skies

Pirates' lineup: 1. Nate McLouth CF. 2. Freddy Sanchez 2B. 3. Ryan Doumit C. 4. Jason Bay LF. 5. Adam LaRoche 1B. 6. Jason Michaels RF. 7. Jose Bautista 3B. 8. Herrera. 9. Jack Wilson SS

Rockies' lineup: 1. Scott Podsednik CF. 2. Jeff Baker 2B. 3. Matt Holliday LF. 4. Garrett Atkins 1B. 5. Brad Hawpe RF. 6. Yorvit Torrealba C. 7. Ian Stewart 3B. 8. Omar Quintanilla SS. 9. De La Rosa.

Update 6:01 p.m., pregame stuff: Xavier Nady has rejoined the team after flying into Denver this morning, but John Russell decided not to start him tonight because he had five days of inactivity while his wife Meredith gave birth to the couple's first son Tuesday. Nady pronounced the baby "healthy." Nady "probably" will start tomorrow, Russell said. ... Still no starter for Monday, but that decision will be made tomorrow. ... Neither team can take batting practice because of some rather unusual event on the field with thousands of people standing around the warning tracks while the Rockies go around and sign autographs.

Posted Jul 19 2008, 02:11 PM by Dejan Kovacevic
Filed under: ,

Comments

thegunner wrote re: Today, Pirates-Rockies, 7-19-2008
on Sat, Jul 19 2008 2:59 PM

Noticed in the  Southern League (AA) story about Todd Redmond the mention of Smelin Perez and was quite surprised to see his name.

Perez is a switchitting infielder who was signed as a free agent by the Pirates out of the Dominican in 2002 at the age of 17.. I followed him over the last 2-3 years at Bradenton and State College (the highest he ever went with the Pirates) and noticed that he seemed to have some skills. Although he is small, he is a switchhitter who can run.

So imagine my surprise to see him playing at AA with the Marlins on the same roster with Cameron Maybin, certainly considered one of the Marlins' top prospects and one of the key players in the Dontrelle Willis trade. (But personally, I think he is a bit overrrated, hitting only .265 and having struck out nearly 100 times in just over 300 ABs).

Makes you wonder about the Pirates' ability to evaluate players.

Perez was just called up from high A where he had hit .305, but he is off to a slow start at Carolina with only 1 hit in 24 ABs.

D Sanchez wrote re: Today, Pirates-Rockies, 7-19-2008
on Sat, Jul 19 2008 3:26 PM

The Pirates might be excited to be facing De la Rosa and his 7.26 ERA.  The Rockies are much more excited to be facing Herrera and his 12.46 ERA.

Here's hoping that Doumit walks out to the mound and punches Herrera when he shakes off the fastball sign for the 20th time.  

Buckles wrote re: Today, Pirates-Rockies, 7-19-2008
on Sat, Jul 19 2008 4:40 PM

Is this last year all over again?  Come out of the Break and lose eight straight?  I certainly hope not, but its not to think that it can happen with the efforts the past two nights.  

Maddamma wrote re: Today, Pirates-Rockies, 7-19-2008
on Sat, Jul 19 2008 5:35 PM

I thought Nady was going to be back tonight.  Is he still scheduled to be available?  I hope everyone's healthy with his family and their new addition.

SandlotWizard wrote re: Today, Pirates-Rockies, 7-19-2008
on Sat, Jul 19 2008 6:11 PM

Perhaps losing this series to the Rockies will be the reality check so many folks seem to need that this team isn't one or two players away from being a playoff contender.  

Allarmy-retired wrote re: Today, Pirates-Rockies, 7-19-2008
on Sat, Jul 19 2008 7:09 PM

Somebody please explain batting Freddy Sanchez in the # 2 spot in the order with his .251 OBP, please!  I don't "get it."

LeeFoo wrote re: Today, Pirates-Rockies, 7-19-2008
on Sat, Jul 19 2008 8:37 PM

I live in Camp Hill, near Harrisburg. I went to Direct TV when our local Cable Co, Comcast, dropped FSN Pgh and MLB TV blacked out the Bucs as a local team even tho there is no local broadcast of the Bucs.

Last year, I pulled the plug on the $12 DTV charges for FSN Pgh just after the Bucs lost 8 in a row. This year, I pulled the Bucs plug 2 weeks ago and I just read about them in the morning.

It is much better on my nerves. I grew up in the 60s and 70s and what has transpired the last 15 years is terrible! I loved the fact that we're  scoring lots of runs (Colorado series not withstanding), but to see our pitching go soooooooooo south was more than I could bare. Just when you get up some hope.....

D Sanchez wrote re: Today, Pirates-Rockies, 7-19-2008
on Sat, Jul 19 2008 9:14 PM

Well, so much for that 12.46 ERA. Another stellar investment by David M. Littlefield.

phillyjake wrote re: Today, Pirates-Rockies, 7-19-2008
on Sat, Jul 19 2008 10:02 PM

*shakes head*

Dejan Kovacevic wrote re: Today, Pirates-Rockies, 7-19-2008
on Sat, Jul 19 2008 10:11 PM

*shakes head right back*

Funny, but as I sit here with another calamity right in front of me, I had a little free time -- most of this article is already written -- and looked up the combined ERA of all the pitchers the Pirates have brought up from the minors during this season. So far, not counting Marino Salas, who is still throwing here, those eight pitchers have given up 79 earned runs in 78 2/3 innings.

Anyone still wondering what the Pirates are seeking in trades?

OX wrote re: Today, Pirates-Rockies, 7-19-2008
on Sat, Jul 19 2008 10:42 PM

Denver- In a week where Frank Sinatra's music capped a special All-Star game, perhaps a line from another Sinatra song sums up this edition of your PBC..."And now, the end is near..."