Pirates trade Phillips for minor pitcher

This is going to make someone mad.Not sure who?

why?

Same old Pirates. Trade a guy who competed for a spot on the major league roster for a guy with a losing record, high ERA, and never pitched above A ball.

I think Michael Dubee has a "power arm".

Too bad it wasn't for Brian Omogrosso.. at least he can throw some gas and is a local kid.

juan pizarro wrote re: Pirates vs. Braves, 4-17-09

on Fri, Apr 17 2009 8:58 PM

following up from the earlier thread, and the talk about Roberto's opposite field power - reminded me of something I just read yesterday. lots of stats in this link, but scroll down to the chart listed "opposite field power", and you will see the leader (by a long shot) was our RC.

the link: baseballanalysts.com/.../touching_bases

                                     Thanks

                                      BINGO

We traded a guy we have no need for for a guy we have no need for.

What's the big deal?

Irate, but does Philips not come with an oft injured type reputation?

Irate,

I doubt there was ever much thought once he did not make the team that he was going to stay in the top fill in mix.

phillyjake wrote re: Pirates trade Phillips for minor pitcher

on Fri, Apr 17 2009 9:15 PM

We traded a guy we have no need for for a guy we have no need for.

What's the big deal?

Exactly, they need his type in their system and we are looking for pitchers for ours.

I smell a Doobie Brothers promotion.

Why--clear from the stats--last season he had 90 strikeouts  in 103 innings and only walked 37--NH and FC love those strike out pitchers and probably think if obtain enough big arms one will develop into a good MLB pitcher.  At 23 Dubee has a chance to develop and they had no need for Phillips.

JAL...exactly, how could anyone be up set by this trade!

         first comment, longtime reader

Yahoo Sports is showing we acquired Chris Barnwell

sports.yahoo.com/.../7803

sports.yahoo.com/.../trans;_ylt=Al7bo11QDaTPZJdhDJz3PtsRvLYF

Did I miss this on here?  Who is Chris Barnwell, and why do we want him ?

Neal is trying to corner the market on 25th men.

And Milwaukee called up pitcher R.J. Swindle.  Now that would be a great name for a GM.

The Barnwell deal was so minor it did not even mertit mention by DK as a minor matter. Anyway we can never have enough light hitting utility infielders :)

Mr. Demery,

"Neal is trying to corner the market on 25th men."

Dude you crack me up. - Keep up the great work.

;-)

Hostage

I think Neal has absolutely no budget to work with.

Who's fault would that be?

Getting Barnwell is so minor that I doubt Huntington had much to do with it beyond signing off on whatever paperwork Kyle Stark put in front of him.  He probably spent less time on it than the people here complaining about it.

A late two cents worth to chip in to this morning's conversation...  We simply can't make comparison's of ballplayers across generations. I'd like to think that Willie Mays or Hank Aaron would have been the best all-round player in any generation. But do we really know? Ty Cobb and Honus Wagner could probably play today, too. But would they remain the cream of the crop, as they were in their own day? I'm not saying anything that hasn't been "batted" around before. I'll leave it with this: until we get a time machine, my vote would go to Hank Aaron as the very best all-round player of all-time. Don't know the very best pure "hitter," but would have loved to see Ichiro and Ted Williams playing at the same time.

My Cardinal friends want me to mention "Stan the Man"

WTM, I agree with you 100%.

Plus there is griping  that we traded away a utility guy who isn't even one of the 25 players on the major league team.  He is the 27th or 28th guy.  Imagine the outcry if Salazaar or Jones would get traded.  And of course there is mention of The Budget.  I am not sure how the budget comes into play when you trade one minor leaguer for another minor league.  Oh wait...it doesn't.

JL -- Because of my ongoing curiousity about these new stats, I borrowed a book from my son-in-law last time I was in Chicago.  

To show how clever they are and what you could do with stats they did a comparison of Barry Bonds to Babe Ruth, Ruth led all the way until they adjusted for how much more difficult baseball is now with the players being in such better condition.  Then ta-da, Bonds won.  Steroids improve baseball players would be the conclusion we'd draw now that a few more cynical years have passed.  

One of the things we'll never know is how well Ruth would have hit if modern training techniques and conditioning were available to him.  But given his pitching ability along with his power hitting, you'd have to consider him at least for best "all round" player.  A team of 9 Babe Ruths would at least have a powerful pitching staff as well be a threat at the plate.

JHadar,

Babe Ruth, and how he'd fair today, is probably my favorite question of this nature. I actually tend to believe that he would not be considered as great, would he have played today.

To begin with, I've read that most of his home runs came in the later innings. Baseball only went to full-time "closer" specialists in the 1970's. Then in the '80's, the "set-up man" also became a distinct specialty. I am convinced, steroids notwithstanding, that hitting a homerun over the last 20 years, in far more difficult than it was in the earlier days of baseball. Many of Ruth's homeruns came against pitchers who had already thrown 100, 120, or even more pitches in that game. Then getting back to today, a batter rarely gets a look at ANY pitcher, more than three times in a game. So the Babe hit a number of his homers against fatigued pitchers whom he'd already seen plenty of in the game.

Furthermore, the competition pool the Babe was in was so much smaller, back in his day. He played from 1914 to 1935. For most of his career, the primary talent pool of baseball players was limited to Americans, who grew up east of the Mississippi, and were WHITE. Not only did integration change the game and raise its level immeasurably, but ballplayers today must compete against kids from every corner of a much, much more populous nation, and that's only the start of it. Latin players are now a tremendous factor in the game, which also wasn't so in the Babe's day. And the best from Asia and other global places (like Australia) are competing in the MLB, too.

Though I just finished saying in my above post that it is impossible to compare across generations, if forced to, I'd have to put my money on today's (post-steroid) generation as the creme de la creme rising to the very top of an immensely competitive pool.

Quote from Young from previous thread:

"There are a lot of good players over there [LA], and there's a road block every which way you look. You come over here, and you have opportunity everywhere you look."

I hope they put his locker next to Andy's.  I guess he skipped Dale Carnegie.

Maz,

What happened to the Looney Tunes avi? And who is the Grizzly Adams/ZZ Top-like guy?

Arriba,

I read that too, and thought, "Well THAT'S a faux pax he'd probably like to have back."

Wilver,

I wondered if the irony of Young's comments resonated with anyone besides me.

Talk about a backhanded compliment.

Clearly he is right, but someone needs to give the kid some lessons in talking with the media.

The interpretation is as follows:

The Dodgers are a legitimate major league operation where I was not good enough to earn a spot on the 25 man roster. The Pirates on the other hand really stink and I am glad I was traded here because now I can remain in the major leagues, earn $400K a year and hopefully get a chance to play.

JL - It's Gandalf, wizard from Lord of the RIngs

JL -- Ruth was the end of "scientific baseball" for many years.  Like you say, it's impossible to know what would have transpired.  You also have to factor in training methods (why I said, "all round" instead of "all around"), Babe's total lack of respect for authority, and things like the higher pitching mound, more restful travel, and maybe the biggest one of all is what the pitcher could do the baseball back then.  Unless someone put one in the stands pitchers were free to apply tobacco juice, licorice, rub the ball up against their spikes a few times, and by the end of the game the ball weighed a little more and had a softer cover.  

Would also love to know how Satchel Paige would have fared in the majors.  Nobody knows for sure, but Paige estimated he pitched as many as 150-60 games a year and threw more than 100 no-hitters in his career.  Pretty decent rookie at age "42".  

Anyway Babe did hit one over the roof in right field in Forbes Field.

Barnwell?

Isn't that the guy who dishes out the worst dressed celebrity awards every year?

First Dinesh and Rinku and now a catty old fashion guy?

Typing too fast -- They used the same ball for the whole game unless someone put one in the stands.

JHadar,

I've never been a Ruth fan because from what I've read, the man had his demons. Apparently he was a glutton for food, alchohol, and prostitutes. I've read that he was afflicted with STD's quite frequently.

I can't bring myself to respect the guy......

There was a TV show in the last year or so that did a scientific analysis of Albert Pujols swing.  Bat speed, plane of the swing, torque of the body, weight distribution, etc.  The historical swing they found most similar was Ruth.  Consider the kind of numbers Pujols puts up, and you'll get an idea where Ruth would be.  Ruth's average is not a ton higher than Pujols, though his sluggins was higher because of the homeruns.  Of course, Ruth also had Lou Gehrig hitting behind him, and Pujols has... Ryan Ludwick and Rick Ankiel?

Come on guys everybody knows Barry Lamar greatest ball player to ever grab a bat. ;-)

Really like getting anything younger than 25 for guys like Philips or Salazar. Seems like a great way to create room when acquiring actual MLB talent like Young hopefully is.

Hostage, I am afraid you are 100% accurate in your translation of Young's comments but I am hopeful he was just excited to have a chance to play.

NH

That true about Ruth? Can I change my name to Ruth the G.O.A.T.? Just kidding. I think there's been a lot of stars like that though, even today.

Papacoach,

If I were him, I'd be excited too, but I also would have been smart enough to not express my excitement in that way.

It is kind of funny if you think about it.

NH -- I admire athletic skills, I do not worship heroes.  Ruth had the excuse of an impossible childhood perhaps, and I would not condone his off-field escapades just as I wouldn't condone what a lot of players, politicians, actors and public figures do.  Nonetheless it does not bring him to the realm of cheaters like Bonds, Rose, Clemens -- or bigots like Anson.

Bondsgoat,

Get yourself a book on Ruth sometime and you will see.

Apparently the guy did everything to excess. Food, women, and alcohol.

JHadar, I overlooked the fact that the same ball would be used unless a homerun was hit. And I didn't even realize how much pitchers would alter to the ball. It would even increase in weight as the game went on? Man...

Diehard,

Don't doubt what you say about the comparison of Ruth and Puhols. But it's curious because their batting stances are so dissimiliar. Ruth stood rather erect, maybe leaning his head in a little. Meanwhile, Puhols gets his rather large, musclar frame into quite the crouch, and then springs out of it like the big cat that he is.

Hadar,

Ruth didn't cheat, but he had his problems.

Cobb was no angel either.

Who will get thier first RBI and when?

Andy or Brandon.

JHadar,

I must quibble about Rose. I heard "rumors" that he, too,  availed himself to uppers on some day games that followed late night games. But I've heard that whispered about Aaron, Stargell, and many a player from the '60's and '70's. I don't know how much -if any-- of these whispers can be believed. As for Rose's gambling, I don't think that his own stats and career were inflated by his gambling weakness. About the only thing he could willfully do to impact those figures, would be to purposely make outs, or miss plays.

HEY LETS PLAY JEOPARDY.....YEA

SWINGS AT THE FIRST PITCH IN THE DIRT

FOULS OFF THE SECOND PITCH

SWINGS AND MISSES THE NEXT PITCH ABOVE HIS EYES

ANSWER;

WHO IS ANDY LAROCHE...

Thunder

The budget comes into play for every single thing the Pirates do.

The results speak for themselves these last sixteen years.

I'm sorry if I'm skeptical.

Demery,

IMO a GM should be fired for having a 3B and a RF who have not produced a single RBI in 17 games between the two of them.

That is inexcusable.

NH,

"Apparently the guy did everything to excess. Food, women, and alcohol."

This is correct, and actually fairly well established. That he was able to do so, and still remain such a dominant figure in the game, is further evidence to me that the level of competition at that time was not as great as it is today. The Ruth lifestyle would most definitely catch up with a player soooner, rather than later, in this day and age. Witness players like Steve Howe, or Darryl Strawberry (something about wearing those pinstripes, huh?).

Daryle

You're supposed to blindly root for the Pirates.

Negative Nellie

JL-Don't you ever go to the movies? My Gawd I can't you think that's Mad Jack.Man you're daughter must think a dinosaur like you needs to get out. ;-)

Too hard to compare.Remember when they said the balls were different about 15 years ago?Babe used to swing a 40 oz tree trunk.How would he hit a split finger or some other nasty.Too hard to say.

JL -- Rose for gambling, not drugs.  I know he bet on his own team and all -- but still it goes to the integrity of the sport.

Hostage -- Cobb was the meanest man to ever play baseball.  He once beat up a fan with no legs who was heckling him.  He would deliberately hit line drives into the opponents dugout during practice.  He sharpened his spikes and injured people on purpose.  He was the most hated man in baseball in an era where the sports pages didn't cover that sort of stuff.

NH

I've heard and read some things on Ruth. Don't recall STD's. Certainly outside of the diamond not a man to be admired. You're right Tommy Lee Jones  was no angel either.

Obviously I'm a Bonds fan, but I'm no chemist so I don't really know what anything anyone took actually did to them. I don't know the difference between HGH and some protein drinks mixed with a 6 pack of Red Bull. Uppers and opiates have been used for years. So I try not to judge most on things of that nature.

Except Mark Mcguire he was a hack. HR or K bah.

JL,

I've read biographies about Mickey Mantle, Billy Martin, and Whitey Ford that described their abuse of alcohol before and after games.

I think it is fair to say all three would have produced even better results and would have played longer had they not abused alcohol.

Demery,

Do you think we should share our negativity blanket with Daryle?

;-)

I wonder if Andy will get to play five innings tonight.

JHadar,

As an imressionable 14 year old, I read Cobbs biography and decided I should sharpen my spikes too.

My dad walked into the garage and found me with his file working on my spikes.

I think I can sum up the subsequent events simply by saying, big mistake on my part that I shall never forget.

JL- How about this guy?

Demery,

Andy is beginning to remind me of that little, unathletic kid whose parents made him play little league even though he did not want to and only got to play 2 innings in RF because the rules required that every kid must play 2 innings.

Maz,

Right you are: my kids considered my as "out of it" as they come. But for now, I can still beat either of them in a sprint (except when my back acts up), so at least I have that!

And yes, at the end of the day, it IS just to hard to compare the play and the players between different era's. Today's players have to cope with more specialists and computerized analysis of their weaknesses. Yesterday's players probably played better fundamentals. All of them got the groupies, though!

Maz,

What guy?

Avatar switch - didn't catch it the first time either JL.  Got a Wile E Coyote/Roadrunner pic in there.

Nutting,

"I think it is fair to say all three would have produced even better results and would have played longer had they not abused alcohol."

Either that, or, once again, they played in a less competitive era that afforded them such vices. Imagine how long it would take today to realize if a player were abusing alcohol BEFORE games.

JL,

IMO Ted Williams would have been the best hitter in baseball in any era.

Hostage

You are correct.

i will shut up now and let the play on the field speak for itself.

Go Bucs.

Nh

Agree with Teddy. Was it 3 years lost to service?

Nutting,

Yes, I read the discussion from this morning and see that you are firmly convinced so. I maintain that he was untested in that he played in a simpler, less competitive time. But I have no proof positive that he wouldn't continue to excel in any era. Only my assertation that his "era" didn't measure up to ours.

Bonds,

Ichiro "lost" nine years to Japanese Professional Baseball.

Bondsgoat,

Ted Williams missed parts of 6 seasons serving his country, first in WWII and then in the Korean War.

Hostage

I agree about Ted W in most eras-but Willie Keeler would have been as good or better in the 1890s

Since no one's doing PBP, I'll throw this out there - Maholm mowed down the Braves on 10 pitches in the 1st, Bucs left Freddy on 3rd (triple), then Maholm pitched out of a bases loaded, 0 out in the 2nd.  Infield fly, and a 1-2-3 DP.

Hey Gang,

Are we staying with this thread for the game, or are we also back on the Game thread? Please advise.

Oh, okay. Diehard answers my question, AND will do the PBP. Thanks! Looking forward to you bringing us a win, Diehard!

Hey, does that count as a ribbie for Andy?!

Moss just tripled.  One out

Andy just got his first RBI!  WOOHOO!  1-0 Pirates!

Andy gets a ground out RBI, Vasquez shows why we're missing Jack.  Rally over.  1-0 good guys

I didn't know if PBP was required.

I can do it.

We're heading to the 3rd, 1-0 Pirates.

Yep, RBI for Andy!  Demery, you have a winner.

If the 1 out triple pattern continues, look for Morgan on third base in the next inning.

Nice job Andy.

Maholm issues a 4-pitch walk to the pitcher.

Johnson lays down a sac bunt that Maholm fields to Adam.  1 out.

Infante flies out to Center...Nate makes a diving catch! 2 down.

Diaz flies out to Moss to end the top of the 3rd.

(Pens up date...1-0 Bad guys, and surprise, surprise, a flight just broke out on the ice. )

DMac -- Every time you see a cute westhighland white terrier sitting there waiting for play-by-play you know that it's needed.  

Diehard -- Thanks also.

JHadar,

"Vasquez shows why we're missing Jack. "

So true.

NuHo--yeah, I thought it was pretty funny, too.  My interpretation was shorter than yours, though. Mine was:  they're a good team and this team stinks. I'm sure someone like Hinske will take him aside.  And what does he know anyway; I'm still pulling for 84 wins!  Short of that, I hope we have more wins than the Dodgers.

Has anyone else noticed that maz is kind of like the reformed smoker?  You know, grey man forever and now you can't find him because he changes his avatar all the time? On top of giving advice to the newbies.  Just yanking you a little, maz.  Keep changing.  I'm going to change, too--too many hats around here now.   :)  Gotta go see a youth baseball game now---opening night.

DMac,

"I didn't know if PBP was required."

I say, the more in the broadcaster's booth, the merrier for me, he who has no radio or t.v.

The sports world loses John Madden, but now the Asylum Broadcasting Company (ABC) has it's new team together: Diehard, JHadar and DMac. I'll take this upgrade, any day!

Maholm leads off the bottom of the inning with a strike out.

Nyjer is next and flies out to center for the 2nd out.

Freddy strikes out to end the inning.

Still 1-0 Pirates.

Dmac - Got work on the brain?  "A flight just broke out on the ice?"  lol!  

I was thinking, Maz is more like Bob Dole after he became a spokesman for Viagra ("Hey! This is great stuff!)

AW- Aww shucks.Last year year they gave me a lotta grief.Asking if I had a rotary dial phone and a black n white tv.Funny guys aren't they? ;-)

Does walking the pitcher and getting away with it make for not bringing a guy home from third with just one out?  

A game of bounces and inches.

diehard... Oops.  Yeah, it was one of those days.  *grin*

Aw...thanks, JL!

McCann grounded to 2nd for the first out.

Francoeur singles to center.  1 on, 1 away.

Prado lines one hard to Andy at 3rd, for one out, then throws on to 1st to double Francoeur off to end the inning.

Sweet!

Andy lookin good

Hey Dmac,

Thanks for the play-by-play.

In return, I offer you this gift.....

www.youtube.com/watch

JL,Dmac and me are all new members of the 3,000 club.Does that mean we are shoe ins to the HOF?

Nate singles on a liner to right.  Nice way to open an inning!  1 on, no one out.

Doumit hits into a fielders choice...The throw goes to 2nd, so Nate's out, Ryan's at first.  1 away.

LaRoche hits a slow roller down the first base line. It's fielded by the 1B-man.  Ryan moves to 2nd on the play.  2 away.

Moss is next and he grounds sharply to SS, throw on to first to retire the side.

Still 1-0 Bucs.

Yes, Maz.

You and DMac go into the hall together.

I wonder what give DK more grief: when we squable, like yesterday, or when we are 'naughty', like today???

Braves announcers have been complimentary so far.They seem to like how the Bucs are doing

On the Pens game, they were showing footage of Penguins coaches and players at the Pirates' game yesterday.

Looking at the pitching breakdown on Gameday, Maholm has 67 pitches; 37 strikes, 30 balls. Good overall results, so far. But is he throwing a little less sharply then before, or does he have 'em right where he wants 'em? Hard to tell without seeing the actual game.

Kotchman strikes out swinging.

Oops...then Schafer walks.  1 on, 1 away.

Jurrjens then lays down another sac bunt to move the runner to 2nd.  2 down.

Uh-oh...Johson walks on 5 pitches.  Doumit and Kerrigan to the mound for a little chat.

(Curse you, Hostage!  I had FINALLY gotten that silly song out of my head!  ;-)  )

Infante comes to the plate with 2 on and 2 out.  He hits one down the line in right, but it's playable for Moss and he makes the catch for the final out.

Andy wins.

Brandon the pressure is on.

I think PM is struggling a lil with his control.When you walk a pitcher on 4 balls...you ain't quite got it!

Two-game hitting streak!

Woohoo!  Andy gets his 2nd hit!  

Andy takes off as Vazquez takes the first pitch for a strike.  McCann's throw goes into centerfield, but not far enough for Andy to get farther than 2nd.  Runner on 2nd, no one out.

Andy is red hot.

Single and RBI.

Vazquez rolls one to the right side.  Moves Andy to 3rd.

1 away for Maholm.

(Does anyone suppose the Dodgers may be regretting a little trading Young since Dougie went on the DL?  )

Maholm goes down on strikes, with called strke 3.  2 away

Nyjer is up next.  The corner infielders come in, expecting a bunt.  *sigh*  Nyjer strikes out swinging to end the inning.  

Heading to the 6th, still 1-0 Pirates.

NYYYJJJmoooo.....

That's not cool.

And a steal - seems Andy is trying to get a mark in every column before the weekend comes to a close!

Got to head out to another game, now. Son's Little League game. DMac, bring us on in with a W! I'll catch up on the PBP later, just as if it were still happening live. Thanks in advance!

Can't complain bout Andy.He got robbed the 1st time and now a hit and a SB

3 hits in 2 nights by the bros.(so far)

Maholm's ERA skyrocketed to 0.96

Pitchers have games where they are not sharp.  Maholm's control is off a bit but he still getting out jams.  Jurrjens not sharp either--has thrown more pitches than Maholm

Diaz leads off the top of the 6th for the Braves.  Shoots a 2-2 pitch to SS where Vazquez makes the catch for the out.

For Pete's sake...the first pitch to McCann apparently brushes his jersey, so he takes first.

Francoeur grounds one sharply back to Maholm who throws to 2nd for the first out, but Freddy dropped the ball, so Francoeur is safe at 1st.  It goes as a force.  1 on, 2 away.

Prado grounds the 2-1 pitch to Andy, throws on to Freddy for the force at 2nd to end the inning.  

Is Mccann standing on the plate or does Maholm have something against him--hit twice in the same game

J. Bay hit 3rd homer tonight.

batting .355

82 pitches in 6 innings.Not bad,but 3 BBs

Maholm ERA 0.92

Demery

We all know Bay is good hitter.  :)

Freddy gets a chance to redeem his miscue...though he didn't get charged with an error.  

(WooHoo! Pens are tied with the Flyers!)

Freddy hits a fly ball to right center, but it's caught by Francoeur.  

Nate comes to the plate.  He skies a 2-0 pitch to Francoeur also.  2 away

Ryan strikes out swinging to retire the side.

Still 1-0 Bucs.

Hi all...

82 pitches for Maholm; 98 for Jurrjens through 6...hopefully we can get Jurrjens out of there soon.

At this rate Andy will be the co hero(PM too).

Jl, DMac, and Maz

Congrats on hitting 3000

You can't really stop Andy, you can only try to contain him.

Jurrjens just got an infield single so I guess he will pitch the 8th.

I mean the 7th

Maholm and Duke are battling for starting the All Star game.

Kotchman leads off the 7th for the Braves.  Beauty!  He grounds one sharply to the left side, Andy, going to his left, fields the ball and throws the ball....FROM HIS KNEE AGAIN...to Adam for the out!  1 away.

Schafer pops out to Freddy for the 2nd out.

Jurrjens bounces one back up the middle.  They're saying it may have glanced off of Maholm's glove.  Freddy fields it deep in the hole at 2nd and throws to first, but it's too late. Runner is safe.

1 on, 2 away,

Johnson is up next.  Apparently Maholm quick-pitched...he didn't stop.  But no one called a balk until Atlanta complained.  There's a conference just off to the side of the mound.  Explanations are being given to the managers.  No balk called.  Cox came out and argue with the home plate ump. NOW they call the balk.  JR is out of the dugout now, I guess...I've only got radio.  It sounds like Cox gets his way and the runner goes to 2nd.  There's a 2-2 count on the runner.

The 3-2 pitch is grounded to the right side, 4-3 on the put out.

I can't wait to see that on highlights later.  

Strange balk-esque play... took way too long for the umps to figure it out.

Great game so far.  A little more offense and the bucs are golden... it's a can of corn!

Nice leather by both roches

Might be Juejens last inning.He's got 98 pitches.PM has 102

Demery -- Just when I think your not serious, you are, or is it the other way around.

JL -- Check out the video of Andy's throw on gameday, the only highlight so far.  My that dirty jersey evokes a hero of recent seasons.

Jurrjens still seems to have something on the ball.  105 pitches and still striking out batters.

Just a quick hello from the Hampton Inn on McKnight Road as I get ready to watch period 3 of the Penguins-Flyers game. No Pirates on TV tonight here. I'll catch up here after the hockey game. Free internet and a laptop are wonderful things.

PIRATA13 UPDATE: I got an e-mail from Pirata13 just a few minutes ago. She is in the Atlanta area with The Man on vacation this week. She sends her regards to everyone here in the asylum and especially to the crew who will be attending Plentypalooza (thanks, JL) tomorrow at PNC Park. She wishes she could attend if she were not out of town.

Hooray for Andy--gettin' that OBP up!

Hadar

I don't know either.

G-man

Glad to see ytou made the trip OK

Adam leads off the bottom of the inning. Darnit!  Adam strikes out on a 3-2 pitch, swinging.  1 away.

Moss is up next.  He bounces one to the right side.  It's bobbled a little, it sounds like. The play goes 3-4-1 for the put out.  2 away.

Andy's up! And he walks!  First walk by Jurrjens.  1 on, 2 away.

(Freaking Flyers!!!  2-1 bad guys at the Igloo)

Vazquez walks on a 3-2 count.  2 on 2 out.

And the newest Pirate is coming to bat.  Maholm's night is done.  There's a lefty warming in the pen...they're thinking it's Grabow.

After that last ball, Cox waddles out for a pitching change...

Demery,

"You can't really stop Andy, you can only try to contain him"

You cracked me up again pal.

You are the funniest guy on the PBC Blog without a doubt.

No surprise.Switch hitter Young to bat

New pitcher and new batter in 7th with two on and two out--Young hits for Maholm  and Moylan replaces Jurrjens

Altoona and Indy losing.Lynchburg winning

Yay!!  G-man's in the Burgh!  WooHoo!  Thanks for the Pirata update too!

Now back to the action...

Moylan pitching for the Braves...an under-handed throwing Aussie.

Delwyn Young comes to the plate, batty lefty.  (Dude...he's a little guy... 5 ft 8, 208lbs...He's only got me by an inch)  Moylan quickly goes 3-0 on Young, then the dreaded autostrike *thanks to Sir L for that term*.   McCann takes a trip to the mound.  Next pitch is in there for a strike.  

3-2 count and the runners are off.  Next pitch is popped up behind the plate.  Plenty of room for McCann to make the play for the final out.

Pirates strand 2.  1-0, going to the 8th.

Delwyn - the outfield is the other way!

When opportunities abound, you need to take advantage of them.

Hostage

Thank you

That's why I'm hated.      :)

And G-Man, welcome to the 'Burgh sir!

JAL -

Thanks. The trip was uneventful. 6 hours 15 minutes door to door for 328 miles. No speeding tickets, no rain, no traffic problems until I got to the Parkway East at Monroeville. Then bumper to bumper leading up to the Squirrel Hill Tunnel. But it's always like that on Friday afternoons. It was a parking lot just after 2 pm. Apparently, everyone leaves work early on Fridays.

Glad to see the Bucs holding onto that 1-0 lead. Can Grabow and Capps hold it? Fortunately, we don't have to go to any of our middle relief guys.

According to game day, ball 1 from Grabow to Infante was well within the strike zone...

Demery,

With all due respect, I think are behind me on the PBC Blog most wanted list.

I mean I'm the one who has inspired "The NuHo Line", "Negative Nellies", and "blanket of negativity".

All for having the audacity of criticizing a club that has put their fans through 16 consecutive losing seasons.

The good news is that recently, UDN is giving us a run for our money for "most wanted".

;-)

DMac & Cheese and Diehard -

Thanks to you two, also, for the welcome. It has been 14 months since I was last in the 'Burgh and 8 years since I was at PNC Park. I'm pumped.

Yesterday, Diehard, you mentioned the trip up I-95 in Virginia. It's not too bad for me as I leave 95 above Fredericksburg onto Route 17 and head northwest through Warrenton and Winchester. That way I completely miss all the mess that is Washington traffic.

G-Man that would be rush hour meets Penguin traffic

Hostage -

>>I mean I'm the one who has inspired "The NuHo Line", "Negative Nellies", and "blanket of negativity".<<

At least you have not drowned any puppies (that we know of). :-)

Ah, good old Rt. 17.  You know that building with the giant blue letters where the Gecko hides out?  That would be my wife's old office.  Still the employer, but the office is a very colorful car.  Ever try to get away from work and go to a sporting event?  You can't hide from those signs.

Is Grabow really so good he can keep spottin' a couple of runners?  Nitroglycerine!  Nurse!

@$%%!!  I had my post all written.  I was switching between windows and lost it.

*sigh*  

Grabow got into a little trouble but was able to get out of it -- Diaz pops out to Adam, just foul; McCann strikes out and Prado lines one that's caught by Vazquez, with 2 on, for the final out.

Heading to the bottom of the 8th.

Diehard -

>>G-Man that would be rush hour meets Penguin traffic<<

I thought about that but it was only 2 o'clock. And there was hardly any traffic once I got through the tunnel. I have always suspected that there are several thousand cars that just drive up and down the parkway east and never go anywhere. They are just there to cause congestion. :-)

Hostage

I felt bad for old Unc yesterday.

It was like sharks finding blood in the water.

Don't forget "sleazy".

Malkin scores to tie the game at 2-2 with 1:33 to go in period 3. Sorry, I know this is the baseball thread. But it's the playoffs!

G-man,

So we have that going for us which is good.

;-)

                General impressions watching the game we had a lot of Paulie being Paulie though he had some control issues.

                    As is becoming the norm, offense looks anemic no pop, we made jurjens look like cy young.

                   I obviously need to insult Adam, good 4 nothing BUM,

           WAY TO GO NATE 3-0

Hostage

You are not high on the most wanted list.  Not sure who puts it together but I have seen only few who put high on that list.  I think a couple who the majority put at the top that list :)

Side note - Malkin redirects a Letang pass on the power play to tie at 2-2 with 3:37 left

Demery.

Yeah, I saw parts of that in between a busy work day.

Some folks around here are very intolerant to a dissenting opinion.

I think some people view the Blog as a Fan Club.

Diehard -

>>You know that building with the giant blue letters where the Gecko hides out?<<

I have gone the Route 17 way for quite a while and do you know that today was the first time I ever noticed the Geico building? And you mentioned it. I also spotted a restaurant called Tari's in Berkeley Springs, WV that Pirata13 told me about. I had never seen it before today and yet it's right beside a movie theater I see every trip. How can I miss the place right next door?

Gomzalez likes the Bucs--gave us two more runs on a Freddy single and Nate HR

Hostage

You are respected and feared.

Lots of inmates stick up for you when others attack.

Except for Menrick.  :)

JAL,

I think I was pretty high on that list on Monday.

;-)

Nate the great goes deep--3-0!

Tomahawk chop that!

Nate the great!

Demery -- What sort of person brings an end to a group discussion by calling everyone in the room "You fools!"  Usually it's a mad scientist or a psycho-killer.  I am seriously about that boy's mental health -- not an insult, but srsly.

Mike Gonzalez on the hill for the Braves.

Nyjer at the plate.  And he strikes out.  1 away.

(WOOHOO!  Pens tie it up! GO GENO!)

Freddy's next....YAY!  Line drive, broken bat single.  

Let's go Nate!  

Nates hits a towering drive to right field...and kiss it goodbye!  BEAUTIFUL 2-run shot over the Clemente wall!

3-0 Pirates!

C'mon Ryan!  

Ryan strikes out...chasing a high fastball on a 3-2 count, for the 2nd out.

Adam pops one into foul territory to the left side.  It's playable for Prado for the final out of the 8th.

BUT...Thanks to Nate the Great, it's now 3-0 Pirates!

Bring on the Mad Capper!

McLouth homers. Can I say "Attaboy" and not infringe on Plenty of Hope's copyright for Doumit?

LOL...Gman...I don't think she'd mind there at all.

D Cutch.6 IP 1 ER  2.45 ERA

GMan-That's Attababy!

Capps is in to pitch the 9th.

Kotchman pops the 2nd pitch to Moss in right for the 1st out.

Schafer follows.  He quickly gets behind 0-2.  He strikes out looking on the 94-mph fastball.   2 down.

Garrett Anderson on to pinch hit for the Braves.  First pitch is a fastball strike.  2nd pitch is a fly ball to Nyjer for the last out!

WOOHOO!  RAISE THE JOLLY ROGER!

Maholm gets the win and Capps gets the save!  

                       That was an interesting hr by Nate, if hestraightens that out just a little its in the water, it was hit a mile high.

                game over 3-0 bucs

I do love Greg Brown's call on something good done by Ryan..."It's Ryan...DOU'mit!"

Hostage

That was bad but missed most it--I have defended you from time to time, not that you can't defend yourself.  

Maholm ERA 0.87

Game over.

Bobby Cox "waddling" -very funny.

Okay, Paul gets 7 IP, 0 runs.  Andy goes 1-2, plus a walk, an RBI, SB, and 2 DPs started.  Throw in the uncharactaristic 3 wlaks from Maholm, and I think Andy may just be the player of the game tonight.

5 down, 77 to go...way to go Bucs!

Can't wait to go Sunday!

JAL,

I know you have and I appreciate it.

I actually missed the backlash as well that day.

I posted a bunch of stuff and then jumped in my car for a drive to Cleveland for a couple of days. I caught the follow up comments and realized that apparently quite few folks got their undies in a bunch over my comments.

I don't know why some people are so threatened by my opinions? Why not just debate the opinion instead of shooting the messenger?

Not much to complain about!

@Demery...*grin*  It's not hard to picture, now is it?  ;-)

And the ANDY side of the Roche-Coach is rockin' now!  Wouldn't it be nice for both brothers to get it cranking at the same time?  

For those who are interested...the Pens and Flyers are going into OT, with 2-2 tie.  

and after last night's loss someone posted the Bucs would not reach .500 again this year

Capps looked good.It was 94 or 95 every pitch.Plus he was chucking strikes

Hostage

I posted that yesterday--disagree without being disagreeable.  I understand when someone posts an insult but when it is just an opinion you disagree with I do not understand.

Way to go Bucs, show the world we are for real.

Solid effort, good ballgame. Give us pitching and we can beat anyone. Maholm rapidly ascending to a number 1 pitcher, now we need someone to move up to a number 2 pitcher.

ants marching--short thread on the game up=====================

                         I will be real interested to see how Snell looks tomorrow if he get's straightened out were in good shape starter wise. Though theres a part of me that thinks Snell is a head case and will always be inconsitent. But i am cautiously optimistic.

I wonder if Karsty keeps struggling if D Cutch gets the call?His ERA is half of Gorzo's so far

Well stayed with it til the end -- but need rest badly.  NH you're OK in my book and it began when you started sticking around and discussing your views.  

All have a good evening -- don't know when I'll be back for sure, but remember I'm pullin' for ya'. We're all in this together.