Pirates vs. Nationals, 5-19-09

Boy, Karstens is sure going to be busy running around out there by himself. :)

Yes, yes; I know. This thread goes up before managers make the day's lineups public. Still, it would be kind of funny, in a Loony Tunes kind of way, to have Karsty run around out there by himself.

                KARSTENS HAS HIS JUKE!

@ JL, Detwiler was pretty much in that situation last night. With the Nats' defense, he might as well have been the only player on the field.

Hostage...You need to catch up on JJ's phrases..

It's the Magic Karstens Ride.  ;-)

Hoss,

Stop trading away Jack and Freddy on us! (I once said the same thing to PoH -though I also threw in a remark about BK being her "boy friend"- and OH MAN did I catch it for that!!)

Today I will not say that YOU and BK are an item. ;-)

@BayAreaBuccaneer wrote re: Morning links: The Dominican debate

on May 19, 2009 1:30 PM

Jeez, I get up for five minutes to grab some water from the lunch room and I get back and find...

                   SOMEONE TOOK MY JUKE!

________________________

It was taken from you to share with others.

+++++++

On Harrison, he didn't go the last time they won the SB so why would he change now?  

+++++++

Olly my not have pitched as well due to the weather.  Or he could just have had a bad day.  Any stats on temps and his record when cool/cold?

++++++++++

Sano - I think we can wait until a decision is made and he is signed or not.  Then we can review the what if's and why's about it.

@JAL, Hoss et. al - (From the previous thread)

If G-Man can walk 100 years and still make a Nats game, I say it's time for The Return of Forrest Gump!

PittsburghSeth,

Re: Detwiler, True enough!

BTW, you're not SirL in disguise, are you?

Karstens better REALLY have his juke, given the lineup we're putting out there. Jeez.

DMac,

"LOL...maz and his avi's!  "

Maz has pizazz.

Bay,

RUN FORREST RUN!

                    DETWILER HAS HIS JUKE!

                   KARSTENS WILL BE SWELL!

JL,

No, I am not SirL. I've been a longtime reader of this blog, but I've only recently begun posting. I have found it to be quite addicting.

Madturk,

King Crimson album cover.  Right??

         GORZO DOESN'T LOOK SWOLLEN!

From the previous thread ... ugliest Pirates ... BAB thinks Mike Fetters ranks right up there ... arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/.../player.jsp

BUT ... Turnbow looks like he ought to be out in a cornfield somewhere! web.minorleaguebaseball.com/.../stats.jsp

@Bay

Love the Forrest Gump reference - one of my favorite movies of all time!  

BAB-Gorzilla will destroy Washington.Kinda sceery to think we might have Bowhunters #1 and #2 batting consecutively! Hide Bambi!l

@PittsburghSeth - "I've only recently begun posting. I have found it to be quite addicting."

PittsburghSeth! Welcome! They treat addictions here in the asylum ... a lot of them! BP meds by the barrel when Grabow's on the mound ... but here lately they've designated a "Capps Barrel," too.

Thank you Seth. Duly noted, and a belated welcome to you, if others haven't already done so. And yes, this place is very addicting. And that's even before Nurse Cratchett forces her meds down our throats ;-).

Good afternoon inmates.  Do we know if Morgan is back tonight for sure?

Mad,

"It (BAB's juke) was taken from you to share with others."

Yes, BAB is in California. His juke has been confiscated by the state to help pay for their budget deficit. Sorry BAB. Great weather, but lousy state government, there.

Oh yeah...BASEBALL... Go Nyjmo, Go!

@PIttsburgh Seth - re addiction

You know you are doomed?  We all just came here one time to visit, now we don't have lives..... ; }

Not to mention what we do have is full of ups and downs

Previous thread, all time ugly - Otis Nixon, no one else is even in the same ballpark, plus he killed us one playoff stealing a homer from VanSlyke

Maz

Now where did you get that avatar?

alaskan

won't know until line up posted

JL

My rights to my juke were taken away by the voters anyway, in a referendum to protect traditional jukes.

JAL -

From previous thread: Thanks for the info on the Metro stop nearby Nationals Park. I was not hear when you posted it. I was out walking for what seemed like a hundred years. :-)

JL -

>>Still, it would be kind of funny, in a Loony Tunes kind of way, to have Karsty run around out there by himself.<<

Shh! If Bob Nutting hears that, he may get the idea to try to cut payroll by using fewer than nine players.

>>Do we know if Morgan is back tonight for sure?<<

I'm equally interested in knowing if Nate McLouth is suffering any lingering after effects of being hit on or near the elbow last night. He finished the game. But sometimes those things don't swell up until the next morning.

That JR must be a real loafer compared to Manny Acta.

He can't even figure out what lineup he is going to use on a timely basis.

G-Man

Glad to help.  You will want Green Line to Branch Avenue--Branch Avenue is the last stop on the line but you do not go that far out.  

G-man

Nate went to knees in pain on that hit but played well the rest of the game.  As you say, sometimes the next day is worse as things swell and stiffen.

NuHo--Give JR a break.  He's probably working on the script, including choreography, for his next argument with an umpire. ;)

Hostage

Not a loafer--just wading through the blog posts to see who to play :)

JAL

I nailed yesterday with Abe, just have one question, I only caught a second of this, but I though I saw Cheese racing there and someone came down and took him out,what's up with that?

I am campaigning for Cheese to be signed to a minor league contract because of his?her excessive speed, a real burner. We give all comers a chance these days.

Hostage

It could be that Chuck got a big interview and hasn't gotten back for the line up yet

now, with the 5-0 Martis on the mound today:

if today's batting approach is not:

'be patient'

'take pitches'

'extend the pitch count'

all so that we can get to the hapless Nat's bullpen asap and get our runs then, I will be flabbergasted

  With the Mets needing a first baseman and the Brewers needing a second baseman could we see Freddy or Adam sent away for a decent shortstop prospect?

Maybe they are waiting to verify if a trade has been completed before submitting the lineup?  Just a thought... trying to rile up the inmates a little.

leadoff

I did notice cheese--I saw pierogi and two of them were taken down by Nat people and the other two were taken down by TR

ugliest of all-time? No question the popular vote has it as Don Mossi.

check out this link: deadspin.com/.../the-ugliest-baseball-player-of-all-time

Now we have a line up--Morgan back, Moss hitting 5th Jaramillo catching

oh dear, and we went so long without a gray man

pghboy--join the group with an avatar--gets your posts noticed and makes it easier on all of us to follow things.  Just my name for instructions if you don't how to add one.

leadoff--that was I did not notice cheese--just pierogi

@JAL , I told you the HAT was going to bring us GOOD LUCK YESSSSSSSSSSSS 3-0

One more stat, Today is my bday and the pirates have won the last 2 games on my bday

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

CURRENT PIRATE STANDINGS,

7.0 GB BREWERS FOR NL CENTRAL

5.0 GB CHICAGO CUBS FOR NL WILDCARD

NEW ADDED FEATURE AS OF 5/19/09    4 Games under 5

GO BUCSS

Juan, now THAT was hilarious! Yeah, I'd say Mossi takes the cake.

JAL - Of all the lineups I've ever seen, that's one of 'em!

Shh! If Bob Nutting hears that, he may get the idea to try to cut payroll by using fewer than nine players.

Okay. My lips are sealed. (Though I did kind of want to see Karsty have to run around and even use some inhuman tricks, a la Michael Jordan's streeeeeeeeeeetch dunk in "Space Jam".)

I'd still like to see Young in there for the extra punch ... Oh, well ...

Juan,

Yeah, that passage in your link written by Don James was pretty darn funny. Thanks.

Happy Birthday Daryle

Above post was attentioned to G-Man (but since G-Man likes to go covert, I omitted his name at top of post, you see.)

Daryle,

The hat is GREAT.

And how many b-days does this make it???

Hey I love Jaramillo as much as the next guy but I honestly think DIAZ was a steal for us and he is the better player..l  like his dialogue with the pitchers, it shows he knows one pitch can change anything, so I suggest moving DOUMIT to 1st base when Adam Is gone and Diaz are everyday Catcher...U think????

As for the Mets and Brewers--Mets have no SS prospect anywhere close to ready--their top one is 17 year old Wilmer Flores.  Brewers unlikely to trade Alcides Escobar and after that not much either.  Besides, trading Freddy would then leave a hole at 2nd unlesss they think they can turn Young into 2b.

I agree with Bizrow on the ugliest player, Nixon was ugly and looked like he had some sort of leather-like material for skin, possibly something you would use for a nice bike seat.  On that note, however, the Brave that really freaked me out was Jeff Blauser... he looked like someone's grandma or another little old lady, very odd.

To get a little more current, I hope Karstens can hold them to less than a run an inning for however long he pitches and we should be good...  wishful thinking on the bats yet again

Happy Birthday Daryle!

Daryl

I think Doumit does not want to leave the catcher position, I agree with you, he should go to 1st, because he is too brittle behind the plate. Diaz and Jaramillo would make a nice catching tandum.

There is also Calvan Anderson and Pedro to consider within a couple of years at 1st.

daryle

Problem is that Doumit is good hitter at catcher but his stats are below average for a 1st baseman.  Adam's hitting stats are average to above average for 1b and his fielding is way above average.

I am surprised we have gone 24 hours without picking up a former yankee pitcher. Whats holding things up? :)

In my opinion I think they should sign Jack and Freddie for 2 more years, quit looking at any other players, bring the young kids we have at  A, AA and AAA along with the intent of one of them taking over in 2 years, I think Freddie and Jack would be up for a proper 2 year deal, probably for a lot less than they would pay someone with bigger names, but no where near as productive.

@JL 39 YRS Young, Hey I can still dunk a basketball , I know NUTTING HOSTAGE will like that ..

@ Yak, Yes Nixon was ugly but he wasnt as UGLY AS WILLIE MCGEE, I mean that guy made ET look like Prom King..

I am so juiced about the direction of the club, Kartsens please pitch a dandy..Please ...We have had buzzard luck all during the streak, Now we are back and nobody pointed fingers at each other on the ballclub, thats a good sign ..So I say lets play ball............YESSSSSSSSSSSS

JAL

Problem is that Doumit is good hitter at catcher but his stats are below average for a 1st baseman.  Adam's hitting stats are average to above average for 1b and his fielding is way above average.

Did you check on LOB's for Doumit, compared to Adam?

(Daryle's dodging my "how old?" question. ;-)   )

Gotta run, folks. Be back after the game has started. LET'S GO BUCS! YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!

JAL

I think Adams stats are skewed, when he does what he does is more important than the blanket numbers when the year is done, he is a left on base machine. The 5 hitter on this team leads off more than the leadoff guy.

                               Magic Karstens Ride

www.youtube.com/watch

leadoff

Skewed some but last season he was 18th in MLB in RBI--just below the middle and 14 th in HR, a bit above the middle, 17 in Ba but only .003 from 14th, 13 in SLG, and 15 in OPS

Daryl,  checking the archives you will see i have been on the move Ryan thought pattern since last year for the reasons mentioned.

Dejan Kovacevic: There has been zero indication from the Pirates that Doumit will do anything but catch, though it probably should come up at some point if they value his bat as much as they should. He takes quite a beating back there, and his bat is far more important to this franchise than his defense.

I wasn't going to go here today but after reading DK's statement i must. I M O when Ryan returns he's the one true clean up hitter we have that is of Major League Quality.

Continuing to have this guy catch will only lessen his ability to be a productive 4 guy. We have 2 guys who are quality receivers in Diaz and Jhammer and Diaz has hit everywhere he has been and is hitting here.

Moving Ryan from behind the plate wont be as big a deal as many believe.

JAL, how about Adams numbers this year

AVG .235 20TH

OPS .774 21ST

HR  6  15TH

RBI 16 22ND

Below avg so far

What relevance is there between what position you play and your batting average?   How can moving a player (Doumit) from catcher to first base have any real affect at what he does in the batters box?

I am tempted to just say that stat of him having a lower average is at best a cute stat and nothing more meaningful than to say his hitting has improved over time, and just happened to be a catcher coincidentally.  

Or to say another way, Doumit has hit better ever since I started drinking scotch than before.  You all can buy my next bottle of Glenlivit if you love the Bucs. :-)

Leadoff

In 2008 Adam had 141 AB with RISP and he had 52 RBI--a bit better than 1 in 3  

Ryan had 108 AB with RISP and 52 RBI, close to 1 in 2

No question Ryan was better than Adam with RISP.

leadoff---A-men.  

At the end of May last year Adam was

.216  BA , 6 HR, 24 RBI, 17 BB in 185 AB's

Today (admittedly almost 2 weeks to go in May) he is .230 BA, 6 HR, 16 RBI, 21 BB  in 139 AB's

And they've been winning without him (contributing offensively) lately.  I'll be happy if he improves those stats significantly over the next two weeks, but . . .

macs

No question below average so far this season.  Still a long way to go and we know Adam is streaky.

bjohnson, have you ever played catcher in organized baseball?

I think since we have scored in double figures in consecutive games for the first time since 2003 or 2005 we should stop playing roulette with the line up.If it works....yada yada yada.

JAL--Skewed some ?????????  He'd be HOF material if he hit the whole season like he does July--Sept.  But we've had this discussion before.

bjohnson

It is not that move will affect the bat--though for Ryan it decrease injuries.  It is whether the bat fits the position.  You can have weaker players in some positions if you stronger ones at other positions but if you have a lack of power at 1st, 3rd, and the outfield you can rarely make it up at catcher and 2b.  

With that must be off for a bit

Up to the minute stats.Go to your corners and come out arguing.

pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/.../sortable_player_stats.jsp

Look there are no guarantees in life, but there is significant statistical history that proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that catching puts a real strain on a hitters ability to flourish.

 Plus we have all watched Ryan catch, where he is improved does anyone think mgmt paid him 12 mill 2 catch???????

I mean Ryan didnt break his wrist in a collision he broke it swinging, that right there would be enough for management who i know values his bat to move him...So a fastball from capps well Chavez could do the same ..Its very delicate and seriously with Robinson doing as well as he is , I dont see why he would'nt replace Adam....I love Adam but knowing this team , or management . He is gone...This would be my lineup

Nyjer LF

Sanchez 2b

McClouth Cf

Doumit 1b

Diaz C

Laroche 3b

Moss Rf.........(wow how i am come full circle on our boy moss)

Wilson SS

R u kidding me , this lineup would cause damage, The future is so BRIGHT ....

WHY DO WE HAVE SO MANY GUYS WHO NEED TO PLAY WITH ONLY 9 PLACES FOR THEM ON THE FIELD IF WE'RE SUCH AN untalented TEAM?

macs

"No question below average so far this season.  Still a long way to go and we know Adam is streaky."

YEAH JAL, I have been on the Laroche roller coaster long enough to know it's time we shut the ride down.

Bay -Amen

Daryle, happy 39th :)  I know the move Ryan idea will be met with resistance but we have 2 stay strong.

OBTW Ryan's games missed due to injury since 2006 i believe is now over 200 games & i think it will be way over by the end of the year. Catching can only make that number grow

Next thing you guys want is Moss batting 3rd Nate clean up Adam 5th

@Maz - "Next thing you guys want is Moss batting 3rd Nate clean up Adam 5th."

With WHOSE on second!

One of these days, and I hope it isn't soon, all you AdLa haters will get your wish and someone else will be playing 1b for the Pirates. When that day comes, none of you gets to whine about what we used to have (ala Aramis Ramirez).

It's like a rule or something.

And now, for something completely different,

LET'S GO BUCS !!!!! YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!

Well, the Tigers recalled my favorite player in the minor leagues today, Wilkin Ramirez, to replace Mags Ordonez. Too bad the Bucs were never able to swing a deal for Wilkin. Keep an eye on this guy.

BTW, I have no problem with the Bucs signing the Latino for $4 million, as long as the scouts have done due diligence. The Yoslan Herrera experience was a good thought, but I hope his failure won't dissuade the organization from taking another chance. The draft and Latin American signings are the only way the Pirates can compete.      

Teddy is such a bumbler.Read these results.The guy is hilarious at losing.

blog.letteddywin.com/presidents-race-standings

Why not bat Andy between his brother and Moss?

Andy is still hitting well enough and it gives us a left-right-left order.

I don't know about you guys,but I don't wanna bat between a couple a bow hunters.  ;-)

macs...Respectfully, I have to disagree with you on both Doumit and Adam.  It's not fair to Doumit to move him from a position he has earned and started to excel in and move him to 1st.  

As for Adam, all players are streaky.  And every hitter in the Bucs lineup has come up with RISP and not delivered.  He was providing the fireworks early on and everyone was okay with that.  He is probably putting more pressure on himself to perform with Doumit out than anyone.

84 degrees in Ioway.Break out the margaritas.Let's play 2 Ernie

         I know MAZ will go Joe McCarthy on me for saying this but admittedly i have not been a fan of Adams for a long time. Granted i have been critical of players before, i was critical of Brandon for his swing, it was broke and i screamed for the team to help fix it. Turns out all he needed to do was relax.

          Before the year i was very critical of Adam, but i was impressed that he broke out of his early season Funk  VERY EARLY and i was prepared to jump on the "LAROCHE COACH" and i thought this guy had turned the corner. But ever since he has taken over the Cleanup slot his Power Bat has basically dissapeared& i think it's more than a slump i believe he has CHOKED pure and simple.

            Look at the other established guys, Nate Freddy and Jack, they have all performed pretty close to expectations.

                          Adam, well i take it back he has performed up to my expectations for him, he's underperformed.

Good day inmates!

JL:

<<Stop trading away Jack and Freddy on us! (I once said the same thing to PoH -though I also threw in a remark about BK being her "boy friend"- and OH MAN did I catch it for that!!)>>

That made me LOL. I remember it well - glad you do too!

We can trade Jack as soon as we get an above average shortstop in fielding. I believe we do not have the starting rotation for a poor fielding anyone to be out there.

Bay, you get the BSKOF for this:

<<WHY DO WE HAVE SO MANY GUYS WHO NEED TO PLAY WITH ONLY 9 PLACES FOR THEM ON THE FIELD IF WE'RE SUCH AN untalented TEAM?>>

AMEN BABY, AMEN.

As for Tedkin, I ditto that. As soon as someone else is put at first and Adam is gone, and they can't reach and hold the tag, yinz will pitch a fit, and then me and Ted and a few others will have to get tough.

At some point in their playing days all good hitting catchers move to first or third as a rule.

It has been said today about the wear and tear that catching takes and in Ryans case he takes more than the average catcher takes.

I do not see giving the player the decision as to where he plays.  I wish i would not have the view that his days will be significantly shortened by spending his days behind the plate.

I'm with you DMac.Most other teams let players work out of slumps.You cannot keep changing the order every few days.We didn't even do that in Pony League.Too many young and inexperienced players.You sap all confidence and moving just one spot in the order changes the dynamics of too many players.

DMAC, I have the utmost respect for you but we are not likely going to agree on this topic and that's O.K

We both love the BUCS, we just have a difference of opinion on this.

Re: ugliest Pirate

I don't know about y'all, but the first time I saw Zane Smith on TV, I was truly shocked.

Re: Adam LaCan't-hit-with-RISP-or-when-the-team-needs-him-to-hit

He is a walking rally killer, he can't go soon enough.  Honestly, I think that he is just a huge disappointment.  He has never once carried the team, when that is why he was acquired.  He only hits when there is no pressure i.e. when the rest of the team is hitting or in July and September when the rest of baseball doesn't actually care if the Bucs score another run or two.  Sure mostly my perception of him but that certainly can be backed up by stats.  Personally, I've been hoping the Mets would panic and make us an offer since I heard about Delgado.  

Joe McCarthy! Wow! That one hurt! It's like Jason Bay.He is 3 for 22 without Big Papi.I hate to see that glove of Adam's go.First base was a circus before Adam.Watch the next few games and see the digs Adam comes up with....Joe McCarthy??? That one stings.Ouch!!

Doumit does not have near the production needed or expected from a first baseman. At catcher, he is an above-average producer and hitter. At first base, he would be adequate offensively and probably a defensive liability, at least while he learned the position. He is also 28 and probably peaking right about now, so his production is going to get much better.

re - Adam

Sorry and I am cringing from the wrath of saying this, but I side with those that say trade him, he isn't going to sign with us for next year

Re - signing Freddie and JW

ML contracts are guaranteed, are they not?  Jack is in an option for 8.5 m, Freddie about the same, IMO float them both a 2 yr 12-13 m deal, we have insurance at a good price, and with that price, they are both tradable/reasonable cost wise and they get more $$ for sure

re - AdLa to Mets, well if they think Delgado can come back in two months, that would be around 20 m for two players neither of which can play anywhere else/at the same time, tough to eat that, maybe at the trade deadline if Delgado can't come back

I'm with you DMac.Most other teams let players work out of slumps.You cannot keep changing the order every few days.We didn't even do that in Pony League.Too many young and inexperienced players.You sap all confidence and moving just one spot in the order changes the dynamics of too many players.

Maz, share that philosiphy with Tony Larussa, see what he thinks, i believe he will show you his world series rings

Thanks, Maz!  

macs...Agreeing to disagree -- not a problem.

Hey what ethnic backround is DELYWN YOUNG, It looks like he is black but I dont know , does anybody, Just curious, Not a racist, I am black, just wanted to know...

Forgot a comment, long posts do that to me, try to read/skin them all

We have to use Veal sometime, and I'm a bit worried about the number of innings we may get from Kartsens tonight, he gives up the long ball and the only thing the Nats are doing well so far is hit.

IMO, you gotta find spots to use Donnie or give him back, bull pen is getting tired. yeah a no brainer statement

Joe McCarthy?? I like you, sorry you feel that way.

MAZ, all due respect but you can really go off if any of us say the first thing "constructive" about a player and you are quick to tag us as HATERS, that is unfair IMO

You are no greater a fan than i just because you go about this as more of a RAH RAH guy

I applaud you for having a fighting spirit 4 this team that has lost 16 years in a row.

Maz, when they cut us we bleed BLACK AND GOLD  we just express ourselves differently

drlenny28: What you just wrote about Doumit is what I've heard management say over and over. Even last year, when he was carrying a .353 BA for a while, Neal was saying "he doesn't have the offensive production to be a good right field candidate or first baseman." At that time I was all "what?" because when opposing teams came to PNC, I didn't see those kind of averages on very many rosters. But I'm not a major league expert and that seems to be what they think. Another year or two and Ryan will be all six million dollar man, rebuilt on the inside, and nothing will stop him!

MUA-HA-HA-HAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

MAZ, i am sorry if i went too far with the McCarthy remark, i really do like you i just think the HATER tag is unfair

Think about this from the family perspectiver of Freddy and Jack, they do want to stay here, I think if contracts can be reworked they would bothg do it if they see continued progress.

No need to rush them along the exit ramp.

Does anyone know if the blog is available to Windows Mobile devices?  I want to be able to check the blog (and post!) from games...you know, in two months when the Pirates come here.

No prob.My dad hated McCarthy till he died.

@Groat2Maz2Strangeglove wrote re: Pirates vs. Nationals, 5-19-09

on May 19, 2009 3:25 PM

Madturk,

King Crimson album cover.  Right??

________

Yes it is, sorry I answered late yesterday as well.  In and out ya know.  Funny thing is that I found it somewhere else without looking the King up.

@Baywatch

"Bay, you get the BSKOF for this:

<<WHY DO WE HAVE SO MANY GUYS WHO NEED TO PLAY WITH ONLY 9 PLACES FOR THEM ON THE FIELD IF WE'RE SUCH AN untalented TEAM?>>

AMEN BABY, AMEN."

_________

I agree with PoH here that was the funniest line in days.

Adam?

He just changed the month for his slump.  He will come around just hang in there and not by the neck please.

Signing him or not too?  Tough call I think, do we need someone who takes a month or so to come around every year?  Or do we need and keep his play in the field and the turn around with the bat every year.

Bottom line will be who if anyone can take over decently and of course how much do you pay a guy like this?  Bottom line is his worth to the team such as he is.

@papacoach wrote re: Pirates vs. Nationals, 5-19-09

on May 19, 2009 4:41 PM

I am surprised we have gone 24 hours without picking up a former yankee pitcher. Whats holding things up? :)

_________

Nice to see you pop in.

Question is do they have any pitchers left for us to take?

Here's a thought. If Karstens is your weakest pitcher and we are afraid that we will give up some runs why would you not put in more of a power line-up to take advantage of the opposing pitcher since this team seems to be weak in pitching?

BAB

You can get the blog from any device that connects to the internet--such as Blackberry, Palm, etc

Mad

You stole my post from several hours ago on the Yanks being out pitchers to give away :)

MAZ, i would have batted Moss clean up tonight.:)

Let Teddy win!

@JAL wrote re: Pirates vs. Nationals, 5-19-09

on May 19, 2009 6:53 PM

Mad

You stole my post from several hours ago on the Yanks being out pitchers to give away :)

________

I must have missed it.  Okay it's yours. "-)

We are in Washington and Abe will win it again.  Did you see the cat come over the railing and take out the others.  It allowed Abe to cut the cheese and go for the win.                ah bad pun...

Nice start to the game let's keep it going.

Daryle - Happy Birthday!  That will be good luck for us tonight.

GO NYJMO GO!  SHAIRON IS NO MATCH FOR THE MVP!

Cmon Moss, stay hot!

Moss! YESSSSSSSSS!

Oh Baby, what a nice start

Would've liked to see Andy show some better patience than that...

Don't look now, but Brandon Moss is hitting .262!

Way to go Brandon

great start .

31 pitches in 1 inning for Martis. Should be feasting on the Nats bullpen by 5th inning??

Any latecomers who would like to see my photos from last night's game can see them here

community.post-gazette.com/.../default.aspx

Karstens only gave up 5 runs in his last 16 innings so maybe we don't need the power tonight?

Great Start--Nyjer, Brandon--two players some posters would sent away by now.

How 'bout an 11 pitch first inning?

Okay everyone...game time.

Nyjer steps to the plate and takes the first pitch for a ball.  Next pitch catches the corner, 1-1.  And he leads off with a double!  SWEET!

Freddy steps in and swings for strike 1.  Misses, 1-1.  Nyjer goes and Freddy singles to RF!  Hit and Run and Nyjer scores!  WOOHOO!

Nate squares to bunt, pulls back but it's a called strike.  FOuled away, 0-2.  He skies the next pitch to the corner in RF and Dunn makes the catch.  1 away.

Adam takes high, ball 1.  Just misses, 2-0.  Outside, 3-0.  That's in there for the dreaded autostrike,  ( (c)  Sir Lochsby)  Next one is a strike at the knees, 3-2.  Fouled away as Freddy was going on the pitch.  And Adam walks.  

Moss steps in with 2 on, 1 away.  Fouls away the first pitch, 0-1.  Fouled away, 0-2.  In the dirt and it gets away from the catcher!  BOth Adam and Freddy move up to 2nd and 3rd respectively.  2-1 To Moss.  Inside, 2-2.  Hit toward CF and it drops in and gets by the CF!  WOOOHOO!  Freddy scores and Adam follows!  SWEET!    2 RBI's for Moss!

Andy pops the first pitch up on the infield and there are 2 away, as Moss holds at 2nd.  

Jaramillo gets ahead quickly, 2-0.  Fouled away, 2-1.  Count evens at....Then goes full, 3-2.  And he takes ball 4.

Jack comes up with 2 on and 2 away.  Takes, ball 1.  Takes, ball 2.  And he pops it into foul territory and it's caught by the 3B to retire the side.

SWEET!   3-0 Pirates!

Nats coming to bat...

(I'm running a little behind..sorry)

Just got in, got caught up with the first inning, and --WOO HOO! WOO HOO HOO!! WOO HOO HOO HOO!!!

smooth first for Karsty

Nice pics JAL. Thanks for sharing

Karstens first pitch to Guzman is in there for a strike.  Outside, 1-1.  Grounded to Freddy, throw to Adam, 1 away.

First pitch to Johnson is a strike.  Inside, ball 1.  Inside, 2-1.  And he flies out to LF where Nyjer makes the catch, 2 away.

First pitch to Zimmerman is in there, strike 1.  Low, ball 1.  Fouled away, 1-2.  Grounded back to the mound, Karstens to Adam, and that's the 3rd out.

Going to the 2nd, 3-0 Pirates.

BAB says:

"GO NYJMO GO!  SHAIRON IS NO MATCH FOR THE MVP!"

I'll second that!!!

JAL says:

"Great Start--Nyjer, Brandon--two players some posters would sent away by now."

And that too!! (though after that Mets series, I too had figured Moss to not be long for us. MAN, has he turned into a prince at 11:59, or what???)

patton

You are welcome

"Prince Moss", anyone?

Not Bad.  sniff (air of audacity)

Karstens leads off and takes the first 2 for strikes.  Grounded to SS, throw to 1st, 1 away.

Nyjer squares to bunt, pulls it back for ball 1.  Lines the next pitch to CF, 2 away.

Freddy swings at the first pitch and Johnson almost catches that in inte seats, reaching over the tarp.  Count is 0-1.  Foul again, 0-2.  Fouled away again.  Low, 1-2.  Fouled away.  Swing and miss, strike 3.

3 up, 3 down.

Two weeks ago...

Odds that Brandon Moss would have a higher batting average than BOTH LaRoches??

It would have been like picking Mine That Bird to win the Kentucky Derby (50-1). Oops...that happened too!

Wow there is a lot of movement of Karstens pitches tonight.  Nice strikeout of Dunn.

Martis had 11 pitch 2nd

Thunder

It is almost as remarkable that Andy is over .250 after his start.

Dunn fouls the first pitch off, 0-1.  Takes, 1-1.  Ball, 2-1.  Fouled away, 2-2.  Called strike 3!  NICE!  1 away.

Willigham gets behind, 0-2.  High, 1-2.  Next 2 miss as well, 3-2 count.  And he Flies out to Nyjer in LF.  2 away.

Harris takes, ball 1.  Fouled away, 1-1.  Misses, 2-1.  High, 3-1.  Low and inside, ball 4.

1 on, 2 away.

Hernandez steps in.  First pitch misses, ball 1.  Throw to 1st.  High and inside, 2-0.  Next pitch is a high strike, 2-1.  

Runner goes and the throw is no way in time.  Stolen base for Harris.

3-1 count to Hernandez and he flies out to RF, where Moss makes the catch.

Still 3-0, Pirates, heading to the 3rd.

Karsty started out with great control, but now is throwing a lot of balls. Got out of the inning unscathed. But Ohlie started out the same way too, yesterday. How does this look to those of you watching on t.v.?

The runner had 6 steps on that SB.Look over there at least Karstens!!!!!!!!!!!

Nuggets from the minors...

Duke Welker has allowed two runs in the first inning, but Calvin Anderson and Chase D'Arnaud have an RBI Double and RBI triple between them, West Virginia tied at 2.

Pedro A 0-1 so far, Uviedo 1 ER through 2 IP.

Danny Moskos 6 up and 6 down. Through 2, no score in Bowie, Altoona coming to bat.

Andy goes long !!!!!!!!

BAB

On his blog Moskos credited coaches work with him on his delivery and he pitched much better the last few times out.

and now a 3rd player many wanted to jettison strikes.

Andy LaRoche! YESSSSSSSSSSSS!

And with that blast, every Pirates hitter 1-7 has either a hit or a walk.  Not bad through 3 innings.

Ahem...

WOO HOO! WOO HOO HOO!! WOO HOO HOO HOO!!!

Ahthankyaverymuhch.

Roche Coach keeps on truckin' !!!!!!

Nate singles to open the 3rd.  

First pitch to Adam is in the dirt and Nate moves to 2nd.

Adam grounds to 1st on the 1-0 pitch.  Nate moves to 3rd.  1 away.

Brandon strikes out on a 1-2 count. 2 away.

Andy takes ball 1.  ANd KISS THAT ONE GOODBYE!  HR for ANDY! WOOHOO!  5-0 Pirates! SWEET!  There was NO DOUBT about that as it went to the LF seats.  

Jaramillo takes, ball 1.  Takes, ball 2.  Nice catch!  Jaramillo hits it high into foul territory and Zimmerman makes a nice catch over the seats along the LF line to retire the side.

5-0 Pirates.  He he he.

Andy is dandy.

That Bay trade is looking better each day

NutH was asking for more production out of Moss and Andy earlier today. Seems like both responded well so far!

NutH - can you pls request these things every day before a game pls. The boys are listening!

JAL

Thanks, saw it. I've been secretly pulling REALLY HARD for the guy for a while now.  I would love to see him become an impact arm in our system, because we could use one. Especially from a high draft pick.  I'm talking to you, too, Brad Lincoln!

You know gang, if Andy and Brandon keep this stuff up, some of us are going to have to tip our caps to Neal Huntington...

Still love J Bay, though. Always will.

@JL wrote re: Pirates vs. Nationals, 5-19-09

on May 19, 2009 7:44 PM

Karsty started out with great control, but now is throwing a lot of balls. Got out of the inning unscathed. But Ohlie started out the same way too, yesterday. How does this look to those of you watching on t.v.?

_________

He looking pretty good so far. repeat so far.  Lot's of movement on the pitches.  A little slow to the plate but if he pitches this way he will be fine.

        ANDY HAS SHARON MARTIS' JUKE!

JAL,

Finally got around to seeing your photos from last night's game. This is great. Slowly, we're going to have an entire "virtual" album from Pirates games around the country. Please keep your photos up on your profile page. If I can get to a Pirate/D'back and/or Pirate/ Giants game, we can add more photos to the "album."

Indy played bright and early today and won 5-4. Cutch had the day off...Pearce and Walker hitless. Virgil Vasquez gave up 1 run in 8 innings.

Jason Davis came in to start the 9th. Went groundout, strikeout, walk, HBP, single, bases loaded walk (22 pitches, 8 strikes). Got replaced by Bootcheck who gave up a 2 run bloop single before getting the final out.

Davis now has an ERA over 10 again...has obviously pitched himself out of Indy's starting rotation...and maybe (??) off the island entirely.

Crap JJ is starting to move way inside or outside with a target for Karstens.  Not good!  Line-up behind the plate please the ball is not straight at all.

Nieves grounds a single to RF.  

Martis is squaring to bunt and takes outside, 1-0.  Bunted out in front to the 1B side...Adam fields. throw to Freddy covering the bag for the 1st out.  Nieves to 2nd.

Guzman swings at the first pitch and grounds to Adam, who takes it himself.  2 away.  Nieves to 3rd.

Johnson takes, ball 1.  Takes a breaking ball, strike 1.  Inside, 2-1.  Just misses inside, 3-1.  And the 3-1 pitch hits him.

Runners on the corners, 2 away.

Zimmerman takes outside, 1-0.   don't know how that misses, but it's 2-0.  Strike called, 2-1.  Outside, 3-1.  Grounded to Jack, short throw to Freddy at 2nd for the last out.

We head to the 4th, Pirates still up 5-0.  

Mad,

Re: Karsty

"He looking pretty good so far. repeat so far.  Lot's of movement on the pitches.  A little slow to the plate but if he pitches this way he will be fine."

Thanks! Keep it up then, Karsty. Twirl us a good one.

Looks like any pitch with the exception of the fastball has a lot of break to it.  Fastball is moving but not a lot.  Give him the center of the plate as the target and move around only for the fastball.  Otherwise he will start walking people.

Karsty is catching up with Martis in pitches thrown--after 1 Martis was up by 20--after 3 Martis up by 10.

Only blemish is a hit batsman for Moskos through 3.

47 P 23 ST after 3

Jack leads off and takes the first 2 for strikes.  And the 0-2 pitch is hit to RF but Dunn is there to make the catch.  1 away.  

Karstens rolls a 1-1 count to SS, throw to 1st.  2 away.

Nyjer squares, pulls it back but it's a strike, 0-1.  Takes again, ball 1.  Fouled away, 1-2.  In the dirt, 2-2.  And grounded back to the pitcher, throw to 1st, side retired.

JL

I will keep the pictures there.  Will be nice to see some from other venues.

At 50 pitches, I see that Karsty has thrown 25 strikes and 25 balls. This game still smells a bit like Ohlie's outing, yesterday. I hope Karsty just toying with the Nats.

Well looky what happened on the 51st pitch! Dang.

Switched computers...but Adam Dunn crushed one into the L-CF seats to open the bottom of the 4th.

Willingham grounds to 3rd, Andy handles the short hop, throws to Adam, 1 away.

Harris works to a full count.  NICE PLAY ADAM!  Hot shot along the line but Adam dives to his left to field it and throw to Karstens covering the bagl.  2 away. AWESOME!

Hernandez singles to RF.  

1 on, 2 away.

First pitch to Nieves misses, ball 1.  Low, 2-0.  Just misses inside, 3-0.  In there, 3-1.  Grounded foul, 3-2.  Runner goes, but the pitch is fouled away.  Runner goes again, but this one is a fly ball to RF.  Moss makes the catch for the 3rd out.

We head to the 5th, 5-1 Pirates.

FYI...

The Presidents raced all the Pierogies...and they had hurdles!  Cheese Chester tripped over 1 and lost to George Washington.  Those pierogies look small next to the Presidents.

Welp, a little bit ugly, this inning. But can't complain about the overall results, so far. Only one run allowed after four innings in the books. Give us at least two more innings, Karsty, and it will be a happy day.

No shock to be taken out by Dunn--put one over the plate and bam

Outstanding play at 1st base by Adam well done

The was the 1st save by Adam and the next guy singled,so he saved a run.Nice glove bowhunter!

Not sure what is changing.  Looks like more fastballs from him.  Little less movement.  Changing it up on the second go round on the hitters?  Not sure but not looking the same now.  Let's hope we get 6 or 7 from him tonight. If he and JJ do not get it together maybe 5 or 6 innings.

Big Dunnkey goes yard

Freddy leads off for the Pirates and takes a called strike.  Fouled away, 0-2.  Bloops it toward CF, but Hernandez goes back and makes the catch.  1 away.

Nate takes, strike 1.  Takes again, 1-1.  Pitch in the dirt, 2-1.  Fouled away, 2-2.  Rips one down the line, foul.  He hits one deep to right, but not deep enough as Dunn is there to make the catch.  2 away.

Adam takes high, ball 1.  Low, ball 2.  Grounded to 2nd, throw to 1st.  Side retired.

3 up and 3 down for the 3rd time.

@JAL wrote re: Pirates vs. Nationals, 5-19-09

on May 19, 2009 8:17 PM

No shock to be taken out by Dunn--put one over the plate and bam

__________

You just never know with Dunn.  They were saying it was a good pitch just that he went out and got ahold of it.  From the TV view it was a decent pitch but not far enough outside for me.

I think Jalapeno Hannah should get a handicap for carrying a purse in every race.

I have already tipped my visor to Neal for the trade, so yinz keep up already. Karstens has "it" he just needs to keep producing "it" and that's were Kerrigan, who at this point I liken to a hero, comes in.

Adam is one of the better fielding 1b around.  

Martis grounds to 3rd, throw to Adam, 1 away.

Guzman grounds the 1-1 count to Adam, throw to Karstens, 2 away.

Johnson steps in and takes, strike 1.  Misses outside, 1-1.  Popped to shallow left, along the LF line.  Andy goes out and is called off by Nyjer who makes the catch for the 3rd out.

End of 5, still 5-1 Pirates.  Cool.  :-)

George wins in a walk.Is Wehner's dentures loose?Whatta lisp!

Going into the game Guzman was hitting .385  --anyone want guess his OBP--and no, not .385