Pirates claim Jackson from Yankees

Sounds pretty decent.For nothing other than waivers.

Agreed, I don't think Barthmaier figured into the long range or even short range plans.

Why was the kid placed on waivers???  Did he make to NY and do poorly?  I don't see any mention of the majors.  I am confused by this.

Why was Jackson on waivers?  

Tough week for Barthmeier...major surgery and unemployment within 7-10 days.  Does he still have health insurance?

Just a guess here:

He was not in the majors, but on the 40 man roster, and had to be DFAd to add someone else to the 40 man roster.

From ESPN - May 8th transaction for the Yankees - purchased the contract of catcher Kevin Cash from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre of the International League (AAA); optioned pitcher Mark Melancon to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre; designated pitcher Steven Jackson for assignment.

Does not tell us is there is a problem with the kid or just space issues.

robbiesdad

You can bet the union's contract provides that he is covered. You can't terminate someone's employment for a work-place related injury without providing coverage.

Sorry for not having an icon. There are some interesting connections between Jackson and Ohlendorf. Jackson was obtained by the Yanks in the Randy Johnson trade that also brought Ohlendorf to the Yankees. He was also the last remaining player in the New York system from that 2007 trade. The NY Times reports that Ohlendorf and Jackson are friends and have frequent contact. As an aside, how can the Pirates claim him off waivers and then send him to AAA? I thought you had to put a player on the active roster in order to claim them off waivers?

www.nytimes.com/.../28yanknotes.html

He was on the major league roster but never got into a game.

Not that I'm sad to see Barthmeir go, per se.  But why not 60 day DL him?  

Maybe that's why they didn't put him on the 60 day DL in the first place.  They figured they'd just cut him.

There was someone else last year who had surgery, was cut, then resigned as a minor league free agent, this past spring, but I can't remember who it was.

Sounds like we are trying to corner the market on ex-Yankee pitchers. Guess the FO figures we did pretty good last year why not go back to the well again.

@phillyjake

Well they pay Barthmeier if he's on the 60 day and gets MLB service time, I might be wrong but I think Dumatrait was cut last year.  I'm pretty sure though they pay for rehab

Interesting, could Jackson be the guy called up when Gorzy goes down?

@Bizrow -

I didn't even think of that!  I'll bet that's why we got him.

Man, we really like to get guys from the Yankees. IMO this is a great thing because the yanks tend to have great players in their system they just are always blocked by frequent veteran acquisitions by the Yankees. Jackson looks like he could possibly step in for Yates while he's gone?

Biker

You have to put the guy on your 40-man roster if you claim him off waivers... not necessarily your 25 man MLB roster.  If I'm wrong, someone can correct me...

A college teammate of ole Danny Moskos?

This pick up kinda intrigues me.

Issue for the Yanks is that they have a bunch of injured catchers and have run out of even marginal bodies to bring up. Pirates catch one here. i saw this guy throw for S/WB and he has some stuff.

Heart honestly skipped a beat when I read the headline. Thought we were getting Austin Jackson from the Yanks.. haha

Looks like a one-year period for this guy.  Would love to know more about him, why he got cut, and why he left being the starting RB for the St. Louis Rams for minor league baseball.  There aren't many players that the Yanks actually drafted/developed in the last ten years that I can think of (Melky? Joba? Hughes?), so I'm not on my way to buy his Buccos jersey yet, but it looks like another case of new management doing something that is at least an intriguing low-risk, low-probability, high-ceilinged player, consistent with their draft strategy (after Pedro) last year.

JAL -

We're being infiltrated by gray men!

piratesOfGollahalli

You're thinking of a different guy.  This guy was the starting shooting guard for the Golden State Warriors.

pirates

Brett Gardner, Robinson Cano would be two others. That's the point, though, of some of the other posters.  The Yankees prospects are often blocked and screwy things end up happening with their development. Or they get dealt and you don't think of them as Yankees.

If there is pbp tonight, will it be on this thread, or the previous thread?

LOL...Radio Wave...you must have been reading my mind.

I think I'll have to do it here, since the thread with lineups already has over 100 posts.  :-)

And as I think DK said, they (stinking Yankee scumbags) are deep, got roster problems, he's 27, but you never know..

A small request please. For those of us dedicated seamheads, can someone  give Pens updates?

Radio Wave...I'll try.

Here we go...

Young takes takes a called strike 1.  Swings and misses, strike 2.  Foul.  Foul.  Swings and misses, strike 3.

Freddy takes a called strike.  Swings and misses, strike 2.  He rolls the next one to SS and it's fielded but dropped.  Freddy reaches on the E-6.

Nate takes ball 1.  The next pitch is in the dirt, 2-0.  He takes a called strike, 2-1.  Swings and misses, 2-2.  Throw to 1st. Grounder to 2B...he takes the short throw to SS to get Freddy on the Fieder's Choice.  

Nate on 1st, 2 away.

Monroe takes, ball 1.  Fouled away, 1-1 count.  He grounds to SS and this ball goes under his glove on a routine grounder.  Monroe reaches on an E-6.  

2 on ,2 away for Adam.

Adam takes, ball 1.  Takes a called strike, 1-1.  Next pitch misses, 2-1.  And he pops it into foul ground along the 3B-line where the 3B makes the catch.

Bucs don't score, Nats coming to bat.  

Adams strands two. We'll get 'em next inning. At least their pitcher already has thrown 21 pitches.

Wow. Ohlie's very first pitch is smacked for a ground-rule double.

Rough start so far.  I know it's only the bottom of the 1st, but the National's gloves look weak and their bats look strong.  Time for the Pirates to buckle down.

Let's Go Bucs!

THIS is why we don't trade Wilson and Sanchez, folks. Their defense up the middle is just what the doctor ordered.

Nats announcers thought it was strike 3. Hope it doesn't bite us in the butt.b

Ricky Weeks out for season in Milwaukee.

                                   End of first

                       Ohlie Ohlie lets none in free

Not a good way to start an inning...Guzman rips a double into the LF corner on the first pitch.  

Johnson takes the first pitch for a ball.  1-0.  Next one misses, 2-0.  High, 3-0.  Next pitch is in there, 3-1.  Fouled away, 3-2.  And he walks.  

2 on, nobody out.

First pitch to Zimmerman is in the dirt, ball 1.  Next pitch is in there, 1-1 count.  Bluff to 2nd.  Check-swing strike, 1-2.  In the dirt, but blocked by Diaz.  2-2 count.  Diaz visits the mound.  Ball in the dirt again and the count goes full, 3-2.  Bluff to 2nd.  Grounded to Jack...throw to Freddy, relay to Adam, and there's 2 away with the 6-4-3 DP.  Cool.

2 away, runner on 3rd.

Dunn steps in and swing, and misses, strike 1.  Next pitch is outiside, 1-1.  Strike at the knees, 1-2.  In the dirt and NICE block by Diaz.  2-2 count.  Low, 3-2 count.  Check-swing...and the 3B ump says no go...and Dunn walks.  Poop.  I thought it was a swing and on replay it looks like a swing.  

Willingham takes, strike 1.  Throw to 1st.  Fouled away, 0-2.  Low and outside, 1-2.  Misses outside, 2-2.  Fouled away.  Driven to Left-CF and Nate is there to make the catch and retire the side.

*phew!*

No score, heading to the 2nd.  

Alright then. Ugly inning for Ohlie: two walks, a double, and a heck of a lot of balls thrown in the dirt, but... because he spent the night in a Holiday Inn Express, he escapes the inning unscathed.

"THIS is why we don't trade Wilson and Sanchez, folks. Their defense up the middle is just what the doctor ordered."

JL  SPOT ON

weird stat of the day: The Nats leadoff hitter (Guzman) has 0 BB's so far this year (in nearly 120 AB's).

Gray dudes-You are lucky JAL ain't here.That man would be having karma kittens.

Diaz leads off for the Bucs and takes, ball 1.  WAY outside, ball 2.  Just catches the outside corner, 2-1.  Fouled away, 2-2.  Fouled away.  Flies out to RF on the 2-2 pitch.  1 away.

Andy takes a called strike.  Takes another called strike 0-2.  Next pitch misses, 1-2.  Misses again, 2-2.  Fouled away.  Fouled away again.  HIGH...3-2.  And he pops it to shallow left and Guzman makes the catch.  2 away.

Jack swings and misses, strike 1.  Takes outside, 1-1.  JUST catches the outside corner, 1-2.  YES!  Chopper over the mound...it's fielded by the 2B but Jack beats the throw!

1 on, 2 away for Ohlie.

Big swing and miss for the Ohlendorf, strike 1.  Grounded to SS and Guzman takes the easy out at 2nd to retire the side.

For those of you watching: What kind of stuff does this guy have? What is the gun saying? Sounds like he's nibbling corners.

LMAO...Maz!  "Karma kitten"  Too funny!

MUUUCH better work by Ohlie, this time.

He's throwing a lot of fastballs.Walk says they don't have much movement either.We're going thru the 2nd time now.We'll hit hit.

I think JAL must have arrived at the ball park by now, and is covertly shining his little laser beam into the batter's eyes.

Harris leads off and takes a called strike 1.  Swings and misses, 0-2.  Groundd to Adam, throw to Ohlie covering the bag.  1 away.

First pitch to Hernandez takes, strike 1.  NICE PLAY ANDY!  Grounder to 3rd and Andy makes a diving stop and throws on to Adam for the out.  2 away.

Bard takes, strike 1.  He works to a 3-2 count before flying out to Young, side retired.

STill no score.  Heading to the 3rd.

Delwyn whiffs again. He ain't no Nyjmo yet.

A MOMENT OF PRAYER

Nate just took it on the elbow. This kid has thrown a lot of pitches this early.

There you go: Monroe, 3 run hr. Boyh it sounded good off the bat.

OK....I TOLD YOU SO.................................Monroe...................

Alright. Three cheers for JR because he got Monroe into the game.

It's Baystrodamus ... anyone ready for the winning lottery numbers?

Walk is also saying decent fast ball...not over powering.

Young leads off and quickly is behind, 0-2.  Next pitch misses, 1-2.  And he goes down swinging...1 away.

First pitch to Freddy is in there, strike 1.  And he lines the next pitch up the middle for a base hit.  

1 on, 1 away.

Nate takes outside, ball 1.  Throw to first and they had Freddy picked off the Johnson, the 1B-man drops the ball and Freddy is safe at 2nd.  Sweet!  Fouled away...1-1.  Fouled away again, 1-2.  And he hits Nate...HARD.  >:(   The trainer is out and on his elbow...ouch!.    He's okay as he takes his base.  

2 on, 1 away for Monroe.

First pitch to Monroe is outside, ball 1.  Fouled away, 1-1.  WOOHOO!  And sends that over the CF wall!  3 RUN HR!

3-0 Pirates!  

Despite how awful Monroe has been he's still a better clean up option vs a lefty than Adam

This WHY you bat a righty against a LH pitcher.

Adam steps in and fouls the first one away, 0-1.  Called strike, 0-2.  Works to a 2-2 count before striking out looking.

2 away.

Diaz smokes the first pitch but right into the Pitchers glove for the last out.

STill...3-0 Pirates.

Anyone want to question why Monroe started?

Detwiler grounds out, Ohlie to Adam, 1 away.

Guzman singles on a 1-0 pitch.  1 on, 1 away.

Johnson goes to a 1-1 count as Guzman goes.  Diaz guns him out 2 away.  Johnson flies out to Monroe for the last out.

Sweet!

Three cheers for JAL for shining his pocket laser into the eyes of the Nats pitcher.

MAZ, the righty lefty matchups get over used but in Monroes case it makes sense, he has mighty struggles against righties with good breaking stuff, Lefties he obviously sees the ball much better.

Sorry...I got behind trying to finish up...I've got 1out and Jack up

Jack doubles to left on a 2-2 count.

Ohlie goes 0-1 on a check-swing strike.  In there, 0-2.  And he strikes out... 2 away.

Young goes to a 2-1 count.   Inside, 3-1.  Popped up behind the mound and Zimmerman makes the catch for the last out.

OMG!  As I'm transitioning between computers...Jack makes an AWESOME PLAY on Ryan Zimmerman.  Grounder deep in the hole WAY across the diamond to Adam for the out.  JUST got the runner.  (On a 3-2 count)  1 away.  And it's a nice stretch by Adam on the other side.  SWEET!

OOOOOOHHHHHHH MMMMYYYYYYY    GGOOOOOODDDDDD

Thats the greatest play i have ever seen a SS make EVER

I am only logging in for a second, and I have not read any of the posts since the Pens game began because I don't want to see any spoilers about the hockey game. (Can't watch until 8:00 PST on dvr.)

I just wanted to come on and say that obviously I do not deserve to make lineups.  I was the loudest critic of today's lineup, and insisted that Craig Monroe stinks and should never start and made lots of comments to that effect.  Obviously, I was wrong.  I am happily surprised to see him homer, of course. But I just figured it would only be fair to at least come on for a quick second and say that I was wrong.  My bad.

Dunn flies out out to Nate on a 3-1 count.  2 away.

Willingham takes 2 called strikes, then the next one misses, 1-2.  Foul ball.  And he goes down looking on a nice pitch by Ohlie on the outside corner for strke 3!

We head to the 5th, Pirates still up 3-0,  

macs-When Monny is hitting almost .100 better than the #2 Bowhunter it is a no brainer.I'd do it every time.Besides if nothing else,we showcase Monroe for a trade.I mentioned it earlier.

Freddy leads off and fouls the first one away, 0-1. Takes, ball 1.  Fouled again, 0-2.  And he goes down on a check-swing strike.  1 away.

Nate. gets behind quickly, 0-2.  And he goes down swinging!  2 away.

Monroe smokes one....right to Zimmerman at 3rd for the last out.

BAB, your a stand up guy

Ohlie 64 P 37 ST after 4

BAB- You are a man of character.

outstanding effort by Young

3 HRS and 14 RBI  for Monny.He's got #5 in RBI for the PBC

BAB,

You put the "Bab" in "Babs."

Nothing infuriates me more than blowing a 3 run lead.

Ya know, this outing by Ohlie just kind of had that feeling that he was skating around on thin ice. And now the ice broke.

MAZ, if you take away the low outside pitches where he's looked bad he's a classic clean up hitter, 14 rbi vs Adams 16, shame he cant play 1b

Harris takes, ball 1.  Then takes 2 called striks.  He sends the next one to the RF corner and Young nearly makes a SPECTACULAR catch, but it hits the heel of his glove and pops out.  Harris is at 2nd with a double.  

Great diving effort though.  

Hernandez steps in and takes, ball 1.  Takes a called strike, 1-1.  Fly ball to RF and Young makes the catch.  Harris tags and goes to 3rd.  1 away.

Bard hits the first pitch to him off the RF wall for another double.  Harris scores.  

3-1, 1 on, 1 away.

Pinch hitter for Detwiler is Cintron.  First pitch is hight, ball 1.  Grounded foul, 1-1.  Low, ball 2.  Fly ball to LF and Monroe catches it on the warning track, 2 away and the runner holds at 2nd.

Guzman steps in and takes outside, ball 1.  In the dirt, 2-0, nice stop by Diaz.  Low, 3-0 count.  And he walks on 4 straight.  And Ohlie slid on the mound...Diaz calls time as Kerrigan comes out.  Must have just lost his footing...no trainer and Ohlie stays in.

2 on, 2 away.

First pitch to Johnson misses 1-0.  Misses high and tight, 2-0.  Uh-oh.  6 straight balls.  Make it 7.  3-0 count.  Finally...in there, for strike 1.  3-1 count.  Crap....he parks the 3-1 pitch over the wall in RF for a 3 run shot.    4-3 Nats.

Zimmerman steps in and takes a called strike.  Just misses, 1-1.  Misses low, 2-1.  And that ball is parked in the LF seats.  

5-3 Nats...no doubt about that one.

First pitch to Dunn is a called strike.  And he pops the next pitch to Andy for the final out.

Damage done though...Nats take the lead, 5-3

Quick Pens update... Pens are up 2-0 at 7 minutes into the 2nd period.   WOOHOO!

And now is 5-3. Most of the damage done to us with two outs. Whatever it was that Ohlie was getting away with earlier, the Nats have clearly figured it out. This "one bad inning" was in the making from the first inning, when Ohlie opened the game by giving up a double and two walks.

There's nothing I hate more than giving up back to back homeruns.

Waist high HRs.His pitches are getting up in the zone

Well time to log off. Hope for a nice comeback and surprise tomorrow. That was Guzman's first walk all season.  Thanks DMac and everyone for the game and Pens updates.

GGG-You sound mad and infuriated.

JUMPIN' JACK!!!!!!

Mock is now pitching for the Nats...

Adam leads off teh 6th and takes 2, 2-0.  Misses again, 3-0.  And he draws the leadoff walk.

Diaz takes, ball 1.  He lines one foul, down the 3B line...1-1.  

(Macs...I think we have to agree to disagree about Adam.)

Fouled away, 1-2.  Ball is in the dirt and gets away from the catcher.  Adam moves to 2nd on the WP.  2-2 count to Diaz.  OUCH!  And Diaz gets hit in the hip.

2 on, none out for Andy.  He lays down a bunt and nearly gets a single out of it, since no one is covering at first right away.  

Runners at 2nd and 3rd, 1 away for Jack.

That one nearly hits Jack, 1-0.  In there, 1-1 count.   Swings and misses, 1-2.  Fouled away.  WOOHOO!  Jack doubles down the LF line!  Both Adam and Diaz score!  TIE GAME!  SWEET!

And there is a pitching change...

macs-The same about Moss(#2 Bowhunter).Low and away.

So will we see Gorzo now? This would seem to be just the type of long relief he was brought up for.

                               JACK IS BACK

By the way, to call a spade a spade, Ohlie was bad, today.

Now Maz, you behave yourself.

I was pointing out a week or so ago on how Moss had a problem with his swing.  I wasn't calling for him to be sent down, but I was screaming for someone to fix his swing.  Moss confirmed this in an interview.  Welll, Maz was right to not give up on him.  Moss looks great now.

Jesus Colome is on to pitch for the Nats...

and He'll face Moss, PH-ing for Ohlendorf.  Takes the first pitch for a ball.  Next pitch is a called strike, 1-1.  Fouled away, 1-2.  SWEET!  The Moss-stery machine keeps on rolling with a double into the gap in left center!  Jack scores and the Pirates re-take the lead!  AWESOME!

Young comes up and fouls away the first pitch, 0-1.  Catches the outside corner, 0-2.  In the dirt, 1-2.  Outside, 2-2.  WOOHOO!  He golfs a single through the middle!  Moss scores!  

1 on, 4 in, 1 away...

Freddy takes inside, 1-0.  Next pitch misses, 2-0.  JUST catches the outside corner, 2-1.  Fouled away, 2-2.  Fouled again, still 2-2.  He hits it to RF, but it's playable for Dunn.  Young has to hold at 1st.

2 away for Nate.

Low and away for Nate, 1-0.  And he lines the next one to RF and it hits off the wall!  WOOHOO!  Beasley waves Young around and the throw gets away from teh catcher...Young scores!  AWESOME!  

Double, RBI and and E-4 on that.  

Monroe takes outside, ball 1.  Outside again, 2-0.  And Monroe skies it to Left-Center, but Harris makes the catch to retire the side, but...

It's now 8-5 Pirates!  WOOHOO!  

The lefty Moss gets a double off the RH pitcher

GGG-You sir are a man of integrity

JL-You aren't trying to stir something up are you? :)

Hey,when I'm right...I'm right.Play the percentages!

Chavez is on to pitch for the Buccos..

Willingham takes, ball 1.  Next pitch is grounded to third, Andy fields and throws to Adam, 1 away.  

(Where's Gorz?  I wanna see Gorz.  :-(  )

Harris takes a called strike 1.  Next pitch misses, 1-1.  Fouled away, 1-2.  And grounded to Freddy, throw to Adam, 2 away.  

Hernandez steps in and takes ball 1.  Grounded to the right side and it gets by a diving Freddy into RF.   The throw goes into Andy at 3rd (?)  as the runner stands at 2nd.

1 on, 2 away.

Bard takes, ball 1.  Outside, 2-0.  In there!  2-1.  Fouled away, 2-2.  Just misses low, 3-2.  Fly ball to CF and Nate gets there to make the play for the final out.

We head to the 7th, Pirates still up 8-5  COOL!

Maz,

"JL-You aren't trying to stir something up are you? :)"

To the contrary. After Moss hit that go ahead pinch-hit double, I heard this all this hollerin' coming out of Iowa. So I knew you were a-celebratin'. It's all good. Just like Hank Jr., you were "Born to Boogie!"

Sanchez misplayed that hit.He could have got in front,but he let it go under him.

DMac,

"(Where's Gorz?  I wanna see Gorz.  :-(  )"

Yeah, I did too. But letting Jesse come on to do his thing is cool, too. We all like him around here, because we met his whole family after the Padre game, and he signed both my kids' caps.

Right back atcha Maz.

I'm glad we're back in this one.  I'm busting out the martini... not the victory martini, but the "we're back in it" martini.

Kip Wells is on to pitch for the Nats.

First pitch to Adam is in there, strike 1.  Just misses, 1-1.  Swings and misses, 1-2.  Skied toward the line in LF...Catch is made in fair territory.  1 away.

Diaz takes outside, ball 1.  Check-swing but doesn't go...2-0.  Misses and gets away from the catcher, 3-0.  

(YAY!  Gorz is warming up in the Pen. )

Diaz walks!  WOW!  That's his first of the season, here...2nd the whole season...he walked once in Indy.

Andy takes, strike 1. Another called strike, 0-2.  Misses, low, 2-1.  Andy takes a big cut but misses for strike 3.  2 away.

Jack takes and the curve is in there, strike 1.  Misses, inside, 1-1.  Low, 2-1.  Long foul ball...2-2.  Crap....The ball is way high and inside...but Diaz is running and they throw him out at 2nd for the last out.

Maz,

You're just incorrigible with those avi changes. :)

Let me guess: this "Bad day?" one is in honor of Ohlie?

Pens update...2-1 Pens, start of the 3rd period.  YAY!

Ronnie Belliard is leading of for the Nats and he's behind quickly to Chavez, 0-2.  And Belliard goes down swinging, 1 away.  

Guzman takes, ball 1.  Grounder to 2nd, Freddy to Adam, 2 away.

Johnson steps in and takes a strike at the knees, 0-1.  Takes again, this one misses, 1-1.  Outside, 2-1.  Outside again, 3-1.  And misses low and away for ball 4.  

JR's coming out to the mound.  But it's just a chat...he goes back to the dugout and Chavez is still on the mound.  :-/

Zimmerman hits it to the gap in left center and Zimmerman is safe at 2nd with a double.  Runners at 2nd and 3rd.

JR's out to the mound and...In comes Gorz!  YAY!  *crosses fingers for Gorz.  ;-)  *

That's very cool, JL.  He's a nice guy...met him at Caravan last year.

Oh God... Gorzo is up.  I don't know how to feel about this.  How's he been doing in AAA?

First pitch is low, check-swing and it's a non-swing.  1-0.  Misses, 2-0. Catches the outside corner, 2-1.  Dunn SWINGS and misses, 2-2.  YES!  Gorz gets the K as Dunn goes down swinging!  

We head to the 8th, Bucs still lead 8-5.

All you Gorzo freaks can go nuts now!

GORZOMANIA! We now have us our new lefty-on-lefty specialist!

Gorzilla destroys Washington! Or is that Godzilla?

GGG,

"How's (Gorzo) been doing in AAA?"

Results are mixed, but the walks are noticeably way down.

A triple, and 4-for-4 today!!!Jack is just determined to show the Bucs what they'll be missing if they try and sell him down the river in July.

"Gorzilla destroys Washington! Or is that Godzilla?"

Do I detect a new avi coming down the pipeline???

Jack leads off and takes ball 1.  Takes low, ball 2.  Jack hits one deep and hits one off the top of the top of the LF wall!  WOOHOO!  He's in to 3rd with a trip-trip-TRIPLE!  

Aw...Gorz only faces one batter as Hinske is in to PH.  He pops up on the first pitch on the infield,  1away.  

Young...takes a ball in the dirt, 1-0.  Swing and miss, 1-1.  Low and away, 2-1.  Another big swing and miss, 2-2.  In the dirt, full count.  Bounces over the mound and with the infield drawn in, it gets through to the OF for as single.  Jack scores!  WOOHOO!  

Freddy swings and fouls the first pitch away, 0-1.  Fouled away again, 0-2.  Swings and misses for strike 3.  2 away.

Pitching change...Wells is out

What is Pirates' record with and without Jack starting?

www.youtube.com/watch

Tavarez,Beimel,Wells

Beimel is on to pitch...

Nate steps in and takes strike 1.  Fouls away, 0-2.  He grounds to 2nd, throw to 1st to retire the side.

Ohhh, No, there's goes Tokyo ...Go Go Gorz-illa!  *Grin*

(Sung to this...www.youtube.com/watch)

Frustrated,

Resident stat-mat JAL is actually at the game, today. But Maz has been pretty good with stats himself. Maybe he can be our Craig Monroe and fill in for JAL? (He too, is a Craig, afterall. )

Hello all -- just in, looks like the offesne doing well, and Ohly may escape with a W despite that one bad inning.  Which Grabow is going to show up tonight.  Even when he's on, he always has a way of making me nervous.

DMac -- Sent an e-mail to your business box Friday night, did you get it?  And again thanks for the PBP -- still the best way to catch up when you can't be here for the whole game.  

Grabow is still crapow.

Okay...Grabow is on to pitch for the Bucs...

I was screwing around on You Tube....Bad Dmac.  

Willingham reaches on a single.

Harris runs the count full then grounds to Adam who throws to Jack at 2nd for 1, but Adam had problems getting the ball out of his glove and Jack isn't able to relay it back to Adam for the DP.

1 on, 1 away,

Kearns is PH-ing for Beimel, who was batting in the 7-hole as part of a double switch.  He runs the count full and fouls it to the right side.  Adam had a bead on it but it is just off the tip of his glove in the Nats' dugout.  Rats.  Kearns swings and misses for strike 3.  

1 on, 2 away.

Bard takes the first pitch for a ball.  Takes again but this one catches the plate, 1-1.  Check-swing...but no swing.  2-1.  High and outside, 3-1.  Fouled away, 3-2.  He lines to the left, just past a diving Andy and into the LF corner.  Harris scores, runner ends up at 2nd.

1 on, 2 away, 1 in.

Belliard takes, ball 1.  Takes again, 2-0. Kerrigan is out to the mound.  The next pitch to Belliard is in there, strike 1.  Misses again, 3-1.  And he walks.  Crap.  

The tying run is going to come to the plate and

First pitch to Guzman is grounded to Andy, throw to 2nd for the last out.  

We head to the 9th, Pirates up 9-6.

Throw Strike Grabow!!!!

Some of these pitches aren't even close

We've walked 5 men.In the words of JAL..walks kill!

Took Grabow 33 pitches to labor through that inning -seventeen of them were balls. And he let the Nats inch back into the game. He's broke. He needs a fixin'. Oh Kerrigan Man!

Do your best DMac - don't let this one get away!

Win for the offense if we can hold 'em under six in their half.

Hanrahan is on to pitch the 9th for the Nats and he faces Monroe. First pitch misses, ball 1.  2nd pitch misses, ball 2. Fouled away, 2-1.  Misses again, 3-1.  Fouled away, 3-2.  And he goes down swinging.  1 away.

Adam takes the first pitch, strike 1.  Swings and misses, 0-2.  In the dirt, 1-2.  Check swing...doesn't go around, 2-2.  In the dirt and the count goes full, 3-2.  And Adam walks.  

Diaz steps in and the first pitch is in the dirt and gets away from the catcher.  Adam moves to 2nd.  Check-swing, strike 1-1.  Fouled away, 1-2.  Fouled away again.  He reaches out and slaps one back up the middle.  It's batted down by the pitcher, but hits the grass.  Pitcher to 1st for the out, but Adam moves to 3rd.

Runner on 3rd, 2 away for Andy.

YES!  Andy pulls a single to the left side on the first pitch.

Adam scores, 10-6 Pirates.  SWEET!

Jack steps to the plate, 4 for 4, a HR short of the cycle.  First pitch to Jack misses, ball 1.  Foul, 1-1.  Ball in the dirt, 2-1.  Misses again, 3-1.  Takes strike 2...3-2 count.  And he takes, ball 4.

2 on, 2 away.

Ramon Vazquez PH-ing for Grabow and he doubles on a 1-1 count into the corner in RF.  Andy scores, Jack follows him home.

Okay, I'm nearly giddy at this point...12-6 Pirates.  *Grin*

Young steps in and takes, ball 1.  Swings and misses, 1-1.  Takes another ball, 2-1.  Fouled away, 2-2.  And he goes down on strikes.

But we have a 6-run leading heading to the bottom of the 9th.

AWESOME!

JH...YES!  I did get it today.  Mondays bite, so I didn't have time today, but I should tomorrow.  

Capps with a six-run lead?  

I see a trend for the first time this year: not only the other couple of days but now also the last couple of days, back to back days of scoring five runs or more.

DMac -- Thanks, no rush -- just wanted to make sure you got it.

To walk the leadoff hitter when you have a 6 run lead is absolutely inexcuseable.

Throw strikes. Hell lob it up there underhand if you have to.

Capps is on to pitch in a non-save situation.

The first batter he'll face is Johnson and he misses, ball 1.  Johnson takes a called strike, 1-1.  Takes and this one misses, 2-1.  Oooohhh...that was close, 3-1.  WTH?  Nearly the same spot and this one's a strike, 3-2 count.  And he walks him...THAT pitch was nearly in the same spot...must be just outside of the 2nd pitch.  

1 on, none out.

Zimmerman steps in and takes ball 1.  In there!  STrike 1...1-1 count.  Big swing and miss...1-2.  Low and away, 2-2.  Fly ball to RF and Young is there to make the catch.

1 on, 1 away.  The runner is on 2nd...catcher's indifference?

Dunn steps in and takes a ball in the dirt, ball 1.  Called strike, 1-1.  The ball gets away from Diaz and the runner goes to 3rd.  Misses again, 2-1.  Fly ball to RF...YOung slips but makes the catch, 2 away.  The runner tags and scores.

Willingham doubles over Nate's head.  1 on, 2 away.

Harris gets behind quickly, 0-2.  Next pitch just misses...1-2.  Low and away, 2-2.  Fouls the ball and off his shin.  Fouled away.  Popped it up on the infield and Andy makes the catch to end the inning and the game.

RAISE THE JOLLY ROGER!

BUCS WIN  12-7!  WOOHOO!

5  strike outs from Young and Sanchez

OMG THIS IS NOT REAL LIFE,,,,,,,,,YESSSSSSSSSSSS

Did you see the BATS, Honestly who was the first one to post today that Monroe would go yard...YESSSSSSSSSS

Gorzo looked determined and did you see that movement on the hook ...Jack flash is Back...YESSS YESS YESSS

@MAZ 3 N A ROW WITH THE NEW HAT , YESSSSSSSSSS

Monroes home run ball had eyes , did you see that thing sneak in there...

Dont want to be a downer but Capps has me bewildered, Anyway ladies and gents, this is the team that went 11-7.. Had we not blown the game friday ,National attention would be among us...AND NYJER DIDNT PLAY...Folks we have a deep little club and I love watching them battle..Going to buy the kids some toys , I am so giddy, When we blew the lead I was like O NO, YESSSSSSSSSSSSS

Ross Ohlendorf pitched like Ross Geller.Where was Chandler Bing for relief?

It's always nice to win, but this bullpen makes me VERY nervous.

I was thinking about the Caps conversations and never meant to give the impression if I did that he should  or we should give up on him.

I do think after tonight that Matt is not pitching well enough to remain as the ninth inning pitcher for the time being.

From watching his balls a little closer tonight seeing his balls sail lends some to think that for whatever reason there is some twist in the arm looking like the ball is rolling a little to the side as it is released.

I think one should earn the right to pitch the ninth, Matt is giving up too may hits and has lost his pinpoint location.

Limping ants =-=-=-=-=---=-=--====----

And for those who want to know...The Pens won!  3-2 over Carolina. WOOHOO!

Yikes!  Our ants are limping?  But we won!  

(VERY funny, Maz!  You're on a roll tonight.)