McCutchen singles in first at-bat

the bucs are back!!!

and we have our first 2 rbi single of the nyjmo mccutch era

CHICKS DIG THE SINGLE!!!!

Speed kills.  Love the pairing McCutchen and Morgan together in the lineup and on the field

WOW ANOTHER SINGLE... YOU NEGATIVE NELLIES WERE SAYING AGAIN?

wow.. talk about a perfect inning after the debacle which was yesterday.. this is great!!  lets go bucs!!

seems like this trade fired everyone up .. we are really hitting right now.. though i cant see it.. im listening to it on the radio.. sounds great!!

Man, that was fun!  I think we should let Cutch lead off the next inning, too!

Wonder if Jim Tracy is smiling somewhere after hearing that we just scored 4 runs of a ton of singles... timely hitting what a jack@$$

wow McCutchen can flat out FLY...

Good start.

Way to go AM! Congrats on your first Hit and Run scored.

i wonder when/if morton comes up.. they might be thinkin about given snell some time off

Anybody know what number McCutch is wearing? I need to get me that jersey

Pirates have already had 4 outs in this inning according to Mets announcers but the umps have had non-arguable bad calls.  They're laughing.  I'm not.

well all, i guess this is our outfield for years to come!  good luck McCutch!

Prediction:

If McCutchen leads off every inning, we will win.

and so it looks like we're giving the runs back...nice

Jose Pagan,

Carryover from previous thread.....

Jose,

Arlen Specter and Ed Rendell got their undies in a bunch when US Air abandoned Pittsburgh after we built a state of the art airport specifically for them.

Now we are left with an expensive palatial ghost town in Moon Township.

I don't know why the same attitude and concern is not raised by our local government regarding the ongoing Bob Nutting Robbery......

i think u might be right BAB

Andrew's batting average is 1.000 right now

How cool is that?

Only downer so far, OHLIE hasnt been sharp, he's up in the ZONE

And Vazquez is killing us, no range at all.

I was one of the most vocal supporters of bringing Cutch up now. Had I known it was goi ng to be at the expense of Nate, I would have shut my mouth. What hurts more is reading that Coonington gave in and settled for the second deal, not the players he (they) wanted. In the meantime, Morgan's scholarship gets renewed. I thought the PBC was not going to settle anymore. Somewhere Littlefield and McClatchy are probably grinning like butcher's dogs.

BTW, welcome to the bigs, Andrew. I hope for your sake your time in the minors has thickened your skin, 'cuz as soon as you go into a mini-slump you are gonna hear it, loud and nasty. Just warnin' ya ;-)

NuttingHostage, it doesn't hurt as much when reality sets in, but thanks for the encouragement.

let's go pens, yay

how many days till St. Vincent's opens?

how many bleeping missed calls are the METS gonna get, i thought it only took 3 outs every inning, WTF..

holy crap this is not good.....bases loaded with beltran up...

WE HAVE OHLENDORF!!!

The umps have blown 3 calls this inning.

Has JR come out of the dugout to cover his players backs on these bad calls?

I guess why start now, the players already know this FO will sell them out at the drop of a hat.

Mets announcers laugh again as a tag at first is not called.  Five outs so far in this inning.

Dangit!  I got confused...

Graham...I believe AMAc is wearin #22...That's what he wore during ST.

And sorry...I got a call and missed most of this inning, but it sounds like Andy made a FANTASTIC play on a grounder, going home to cut off a run.  Then Adam made another heads-up play on a bunt...instead of the bunter, he got the runner moving from 1st to 2nd.  

2 away.

Castillo singled to RF on an 0-2 count and a run scores...that's 2, if I have my tally right..

FC is on the radio and I'm missing a lot that way too.  He's trying to tell us he understands the fan reaction.  Not a financial decision, good prospects that NH has been looking at for awhile.  Talking about Nate being a class guy, player, etc.

2-2 pitch to Castillo...slow roller to Vazquez.  Throw is late and Castillo is safe and another run scores.

Cripes.

Beltran is ahead 3-0...and he walks.  (They talked through most of that AB...not my fault)

So bases are loaded for Sheffield.  2 awy

First pitch catches the outside corner, 0-1.  Come-backer to Ohlie, throw to Adam for the 3rd out.

The Mets get 3 back...4-3 Pirates.

Maybe the umps are sending Bob Nutting a message for messing with the integrity of the game?

Can someone please tell me what calls were blown? I am only following PBP...

PoH -

I appreciate the positive thoughts on the last thread and here. I needed some "hope." :-)

The article I read in today's Richmond paper talked about the Braves paying a "high price" to get McLouth. I don't know whose opinion that was, but I felt a little better reading it. On the whole, I am disappointed at the impact for 2009 and 2010. If Cutch plays well, we all may be forgetting about this in a few months. And if one of those two pitchers is able to replace Snell in a year or so, it will be a good trade.

BAB - a tag at first, runner was caught.  Then the same runner was running to third and was certifiably out.  Both calls are non-arguable is you see the footage.  Then another throw from Ohlie to first.

NuttingHostage - Russell was out the other night arguing.  What is that going to do, reverse the call? You want him out every five seconds like LaRussa? Then watch THAT team.

Your joy at the fans' frustration over this trade is despicable to me.

Andrew leads off the Pirates' half of the 2nd...Takes, ball 1.  Takes a called strike, 1-1. Misses, 2-1.  Hits it deep to CF and Beltran tracks it down for out #1

Oopss....sounds like the 1B ump basically bites today.  We had to get 6 outs that inning, according to Pirates' radio.  >:(

Nyjer takes a ball.   Takes a called strike.  He pulls one past Murphy and it goes down the RF line.  Nyjer ends up at 3rd!  It goes as an E-1.  I'll have to watch this later.  

1 on, 1 away.

Freddy fouls the first pitch off, 0-1.  Fouled away, 0-2. Takes a ball, 1-2.  And he swings and misses, strike 3.

2 away.

WOOOHOOO!  Adam drops the first pitch into the gap in LF!  Nyjer scores and Adam is in at 2nd with a double!  

Andy takes a pitch in the dirt, 1-0.  Next pitch is in there, 1-1.  He hits it to the right side.  Murphy bobbles, but is able to recover to throw to Pelfrey covering the bag for the 3rd out.

Pirates up by 2, score is now 5-3.

JR should talk to the umps after that bad inning.  It should have been 4 to 1 at the end of the inning and not 3 to 1.  JR should politely point out that they've seen the footage and we're getting a high percentage of bad calls.

Jim (CT): I know you are going to talk draft, but can you give us a quick opinion on the McLouth to Atlanta deal?

Keith Law: (1:09 PM ET ) Like it a lot for Pittsburgh - Morton could go right in their rotation, Gorkys is a ++ defender with a chance to hit (he hasn't been good this year but he's also 21 in AA), Locke is a high-upside LHP with three pitches who has shown good feel and command in the past. That's a lot of talent - and difficult-to-get talent, since players up the middle and LHP are hard to acquire in trade or free agency - for a guy who is, what, an average outfielder? Fringe-average? Since 6/1/08 McLouth has hit .256/.327/.447 if you exclude his 7 IBB, and he's not good in CF.

Can someone please tell me what calls were blown? I am only following PBP...

Kid for the Mets who got tagged out at home, that was his third out of the inning.

the other was another tag play @ 1st BLOWN   Name?????  my name recognition is as incompitent as the umps

Ohlie seems to be struggling more each game.  Is he injured?

OHLIES Fadin fast  GORZO is getting warm

Totally agree with you PoH

McCutchen's 1st hit, just 2,999 more to go......LOL

Wright leads off the 3rd and has a strike already as they come back on air.  Next pitch misses, 1-1.  Next pitch is outside, 2-1.  Pitch is high, 3-1.  And he walks...I wish this were on TV.

Murphy steps in and takes low, ball 1.  In there for a strike, 1-1.  Pitch is just outside, 2-1.  Popped foul, 2-2. Hit to RF and Moss is able to reach up and make the catch for the 1st out.

Gorz is warming in the bullpen.

Martinez takes the first pitch for a strike, 0-1.  Low and inside, 1-1.  Hit in the air to RF, near the line and Moss gets to that and makes the catch.  2 away.

Santos hits a line-drive base hit to CF.  Wright moves to 2nd.  

Pelfrey stands in and hits a blooper on the infield.  Freddy gets there and fields...throws to Adam to retire the side.

POH, well I suppose if the gloves are off sweetheart.....

1. Speaking as one who actually once played this game vs. one who has only cheered from the bleachers, there are several strategic advantages to your manager sticking up for the club with the umpires.

- One,  the players at least feel that the have the support of their manager. - Trust me, these players feel nothing of the sort, especially after yesterday. It appears you have no understanding of the importance to maintaining a strong team dynamic and the entire team fighting and supporting one another.

- Two, it keeps the Umps honest. If a manager has agressively defended his club in close calls, it gives the ump something to think about on the next close call. There is no mystery as to why long time successful managers like LaRussa and Piniella aggressively defend their clubs in like situations.

2. I take no joy whatsoever in this situation, however I am not the least bit surprised either.

3. I find your ongoing rationalizations for this owner and front office naive, gullable, and foolish.

                  IT'S A CULTURE OF WINNING!

LOL!

Macs,

"OHLIES Fadin fast  GORZO is getting warm"

Wait!

I thought ..."WE HAVE OHLENDORF!"????

Re the Keith Law post . . . as I noted in the last thread, Law has us taking Tony Sanchez, a catcher from Boston College, with the fourth pick in the draft.  Problem is, Law has him ranked #29 among all prospects, and projects him as an average starter (best case) to backup.  

With the fourth pick in the entire draft.

Law claims Neal and Co. went to visit this player last week, and that this is very close to happening, but that no deal has been made as of yet.  Further claims that our other potential choices are Bobby Borschering, a switch hitting high school 1B/3B from Fla. (prospect #22) or Wil Myers, a HS C/1B from North Carolina (prospect #21).

Law's rankings and such aren't gospel, of course.  But there you have it--our potential draftees with the fourth overall picks are guys ranked #21, #22, and #29 by a writer for a major publication.  Makes you wonder if there really is some kind of "Major League" or "The Producers" type of lose-on-purpose scenario going on here.

Moss goes down on 3 straight, called, swinging and called.

Jaramillo swings and misses, 0-1.  Misses low, 1-1.  Tapped past the mound.  Cora to Murphy.  2 away.  

Vazquez takes, ball 1.  Slaps on foul, 1-1.  Foul again, 1-2.  And singles on a soft liner to LF.

Ohlie goes down on 3 straight, swinging for the 3rd out.

End of the 3rd, Pirates still lead, 5-3

i know pitchers cant hit but that swing by Ohlie was ridiculous

NH-i agree with you of the importance of arguing.  i want to see him out there too.  he doesnt have to throw bases around or take them back to the dugout with him, however, arguing might be a spark that the team needs, especially if there were 3 bad calls in one inning.

a quick inning here for Ollie would really help his cause.....hpe he can go atleast 6

Has Vazquez ever hit a ball hard? I'm thrilled with 2-2, but it seems like everything he hits is a bloop. He's basically the Jim Tracy dream hitter. Slap everything.

Also, Cutch will leadoff an inning for the third time in four innings. I wonder if this is part of the plan, to have him and NyjMo always set the table.

I'm ordering my AMac jersey this weekend.Moss looked like he's got a good arm on that safe call on 3rd.

NuHo:

Did I say I never played this game? I played baseball with the boys through Pony league.

As a catcher.

In my day, my little town, there wasn't softball. My dad pulled me when I got to the level he thought the boys were throwing too hard.

I'm not rationalizing this trade. I said I want a better 2009 team when the administration was careful to say it was a better franchise with what they added. I don't know if that's true or not.

And I haven't said Culture of Winning since we took the dive in record. Keep up.

Ohlie is absolutely terrified of David Wright and Beltran. And rightly so, I guess.

I wish Beltran had been held out of the lineup for precautionary reasons.

Will the pirates ever have a true home run hitter?

Stlrfanrc,

That's exactly right.

There is an art to working the umps to your clubs advantage and making a big deal on every play or throwing bases is not necessarily the appropriate method.

But there is value, if don't appropriately and effectively.

JR has no clue as to this aspect of the game. - None.

Fellow inmates, I hope you all have protective gear on, or are hiding under your beds.  I think the fur is about to fly.

Cora takes low and inside, 1-0.  Looks at a called strike, 1-1.  Pops up on the infield, it drifts foul but Andy makes the catch.  1 away.

Castillo takes a called strike, 0-1.  Misses outside, 1-1.  Rolled to the right side, Freddy fields and throws to Adam, 2 away.

Beltran gets ahead, 2-0.  And he hits it deep to RF...and it's gone...I'm guessing into the Clemente seats.

WOOHOO!  Sheffield grounds it down the 3B line...I think they said slowly...Andy makes a GREAT grab and throws to Adam, who makes an equally GREAT scoop for the 3rd out.  

I LOVE the LaRoche to LaRoche plays.  :-)

The Mets get 1...5-4 Pirates

OK POH.

Fair enough.

I don't like being mad at you anyway.

Fist bump?

Yeah  NH, he's not all here today but he's here WIZENHEIMER:)

Dmac,

"I think the fur is about to fly."

Hey! - I may have grown a few stray hairs on my back as I have gotten older, but it hardly qualifies as fur, let alone even hairy.

;-)

Hostage <<  find your ongoing rationalizations for this owner and front office naive, gullable, and foolish. >>

That wasn't very nice, and rather uncharacteristic for you.

i agree..although i'd love to see him blow his top..might throw out one of his hips though

We've already had this thing about condescending remarks

NuttingHostage said

I find your ongoing rationalizations for this owner and front office naive, gullable, and foolish.

Two on for Andy. This is where we need to see an extra base hit. I would prefer it over the wall on the fly. I'll settle for a notch-bound triple.

bases loaded for moss...not thrilled about that.

Ken,

What can I say, the "despicable" comment got me a little riled....

Stlerfanrc,

I don't even know if JR can blow his top?

Not that that is good, or bad, just uncharacteristic of him.

I'd just like to see him develop the managerial skill to effectively work the umps.

This club is disadvantaged enough.

i'll take a bases loaded BB.  

Ohlie keeps giving the Mets runs, and Pelfrey just gives them back.

Okay...I was wrong...the ball was "blistered" according to Blass and Andy fielded it in foul territory, making a great throw to Adam.  Sorry...again, I wish this were on TV.  

Andrew walks on 4 straight.

Nyjer bunts and sacrifices Andrew to 2nd.  1 away.

Sanchez takes, ball 1.  Grounded foul, 1-1.  Misses, 2-1.  They're not paying Andrew any attention at 2nd at all, btw.  Freddy fouls the pitch off, 2-2.  Rolls it toward 2nd...Castillo to Murphy, 2 away.  Andrew to 3rd.

Adam comes up with 2 out and a runner on 3rd.

Adam takes, ball 1.  WAY outside, 2-0.  And they pitch around Adam...walking him on 4 straight.

Andy comes up, runners on the corners.  Shows bunt and it's a called strike, 0-1.  Takes a fastball at the knees, 0-2.  Outside, 1-2.  In the dirt, 2-2 count.  And they hit Andy on the 2-2 count...right on the kneecap according to Blass.  

Bases loaded for Moss.

Brandon takes, ball 1.  Foul tipped into Santos' glove, 1-1.  Looks at ball 2...2-1 count.  Outside, 3-1.  Inside and it's ball 4 and they walk in a run!  

McCutchen scores, Adam to 3rd, Andy to 2nd and Moss is at 1st.

Bases loaded for Jaramillo. JJ swings and misses, 0-1.  Swings and hits it to the left side and it's in there for a single!  Adam scores!  Andy scores!  WOOHOO!  

Call to the BullPen for the Mets.

i have to admit, i love Jaramillo...in a totally manly sort of way.

JHAMMAR!

The Pirates are on offensive powerhouse now that they got rid of that McClouth fella!

8-4  GOOD GUYS

Cutch 2 runs

now can we hold em?

Wilver,

Carryover from previous thread.....

Wilver,

1. Very interesting indeed that Coonelly is already distancing himself from Huntington and this deal.

2. Specter did a little more than make politically popular statements. He demanded several meetings with US Scare and consistently and publically denouncned their decisions. I'd like more, but would be happy with that. Bob Nutting has a very weak constitution and flimsy backbone and I think would be quite uncompfortable with that kind of attention. Who knows, maybe it would be enough to convince him to sell. - Heck I'd like nothing more than for him to sell the Pirates, Seven Springs, and the Altoona Mirror and any other interests in the fine state of Pennsylvania.

3. Thanks for the correction. I though JAL also said 2010 was the year, but now that you brought it up, where is your number now? When is it reasonable for Pirate fans to expect a winning club from Bob Nutting? Personally, I still think it should have been 2008, but I digress.....

Way to go, JJ!  Keep pouring it on boys!

Hostage... I would have gotten censored if I had said what I wanted to say.  :-)

Alright folks . . . deep breaths . . . . count to 10 . . .

Well, fwiw, at least it's been an interesting game.

As much as I like home runs, I can see Freddy/Adam getting a lot of RBI opportunities with Cutch & NYJMO at the top of the order.

Anybody else need a drink?

Vazquez had better reach...we're in danger of Andrew not leading off the 5th inning right now.

FormerSoxFan

LOVE the avatar.

DMac,

Hope your fingers don't fall off today with all of the Bucs small ball offense going on  :)

Vazquez! He's great! I love him!

(Okay, today is officially the weirdest day ever.)

Who needs power when you get 10 hits in 4 innings????

Takahashi is now pitching for the Mets.

Vazquez takes ball 1.  Fouls the next one off, 1-1.  Outside and in the dirt, 2-1.  High and it's 3-1 to Vazquez.  And he hits one into R-CF  and it drops in!  

Moss is waved home!  The play at the plate and......HE SLIDES UNDER THE TAG!  WOOHOO!    Jaramillo moves to 2nd.

Ohlendorf fouls the first pitch off, 0-1.  Swing, misses, 0-2.  Outside, 1-2.  Fouled it off.  Swings and misses for strike 3.

The Pirates add 4 MORE RUNS!   9-4, Bucs lead!  

I like this small ball.  Cutch with the lead off walk to start it all, and Morgan with the sacrifice after even.  (2) 9 batter innings...when was the last time that happened?

Andrew McCutchen's first four at bats in the majors will all come leading off innings. And will all come in the first five innings of the game. That's incredible.

PoH

"despicable" was a little too strong

_________________________________________________

Hostage

you cleared the air before I added my post

fair enough

We all know each other by now

Just carry on.........I'm good

true that, power is overrated.....awesome inning.

Jeff - you can pour me a virtual drink, and I hope it's stronger than that jug in your avi!

A series win against the Mets would be dandy with me, thankyouverymuch.

Posts all over the place

Still too many gray here--come on guys , no complaints about anyone if you don't click on my name, follow the instructions, and get an avatar.  Can't find you without one.

Morning all.\

Heckuva day to be fighting with yer wireless network that's all I have to say.

Let's see how this game affects the discussion on Nate's trade.

So far, so good.

...dink...  A Single!

...dink... Anudder single!

...dink...

...dink...

...dink...

hehehe.

Dr. Wabbit...

We are winning in spite of OHLIE, easily his most uninspiring effort.

time to give back some runs.

BAB,

Thanks.  I figured someone had to have it.  Perhaps Dwight Evans will reappear later in the season.

Fair enough Ken....

;-)

ANyone look at next weeks schedule, TRIP TO HOTLANTA to visit some old friend, how the baseball gods plan this is beyond me, LOL

Anyone surprised at well well Jaramillo  is hitting?  Thought he was supposed to good glove bad bat.

TheBarskEffect  

See you got your avatar up--way to go!

Great gmae thus far for the Buccos, with the exception of a not so great outing from Ohlie. But I am very glad to see McCutchen doing well in his first game and the offense putting up some runs in their first game without Nate, especially Adam LaRoche stepping up and having a good game.

wow.  The 1987 Cardinals without Jack Clark interesting.  

Andujar is Ian Snell !

JAL,

Jaramillo's minor league bat was not bad, just not great.

www.baseball-reference.com/.../player.cgi

But he has a great baseball last name if you ask me. - Perfectly fitting for a catcher.

Wright leads off the 5th for the Mets. The first pitch misses, 1-0.  Fouled away, 1-1.  Fouled again, 1-2.  Misses, 2-2.  And he singles to LF.  

Murphy takes, ball 1. Misses, 2-0.  And he skies it to shallow LF...Vazquez makes the catch.  1 away.

Martinez takes high, 1-0.  Misses, 2-0.  Takes a called strike, 2-1.  Foul again, 2-2.  Misses, 3-2 count.  Wright takes off and the pitch is lined to CF.  It gets by Andrew in CF, Wright scores as McCutchen fires the ball back to the infield.  Martinez is safe at 2nd

JR comes out and that's game for Ohlie...he leaves with the lead, but won't qualify for the W.

NuHo- If you actually know the game better than all the rest of us then why aren't you playing in the majors.  Either root for the Pirates faithfully or leave the blogs because no one needs your negative comments here.  9-4 I guess this team really has no shot with Cutch right.  

Macs,

JR and Kerrigan agree...Gorzo to carry the load.

A chance for Gorzo to improve to 4-1.

Alright.

An early shower for Ohlie.  Bring on the new LOOOOOOOoonnnnnggggg man, Gorzo the Great.

Time to put up some zeroes, heroes.

Wabbit

Not a good outing by Ohlie--all that run support and can't go 5.

Anyone surprised at well well Jaramillo  is hitting?  Thought he was supposed to good glove bad bat.

JAL, @ First yes but he has a sweet stroke  i now see him as more sound at the plate than DIAZ

JAL,

Jaramillo was a career .271 hitter in the minors, so he wasn't exactly a weak bat.  Nothing special at the plate though.

JAL-pleasantly surprised. i'd rather see him up with runners on than Moss...still disappointed with him.

Adam Larouche is our Jack Clark!  Clark hit what, 25 HR's that year?

Besides Ross we have only one hitter below .260 and he has 4 doubles in this series.Small ball is kinda fun when you have a couple rabbits.

         Sorry Wabbit

PoH & NuHos -

Okay, you two. If I have to pull this car over and come back there...

I'm agreeing with NuHo for the first time today . . . "Jaramillo" really does roll of the tongue.  :)

Hostage

Right, it wasn't bad.  

Adam with a rare fielding error

G-man,

Not the belt!!!

Please not the belt!!!

;-)

I can't believe that Gorzo is going to get a chance at another poached win.

Russell must have him in a fantasy league.

Gorzelanny is onto pitch for the Bucs.

Santos comes to the plate.  Hit, foul, down the LF line.  Hit to shallow RF.  It drifts foul...Adam goes out and gets a glove on it, but the ball squirts out of his glove.  *sigh*  That's SO un-Adam-like.  And he gets charged an error.  0-2 pitch to Santos is outside, 1-2.  Down the RF line and it drops foul...just clearing the railing.  Roller back to Gorz...Gorz fumbles it but recovers and gets a handle on it to throw to Adam.  2 away.  According to Blass, IF Gorz had made the play cleanly, they would have gotten the runner Martinez at 3rd.

Brown, ph-ing for Takahashi, hits a come-backer to Gorz, throw to Adam.  Side retired.

The Mets get 1 back, but the PIrates still lead....9-5.

OMG.

Pinch Hitter Emil Brown?! (interrobang)

...gasp...

Wabbit

G-Man,

LOL!  :-)

Good 'ol Emil Brown...he is still playing.

OMG, Emil Brown!

Talk about Kharma!

Marty,

Hopefully, he will lower that whopping ERA in the process.

Put Gorzo in the rotation take out Snell!!!!

Adam is  MUCH better fielder than Jack Clark, IMO.  Now if you're talking Will Clark...Will's got the Gold Glove.  :-)

WSB...Nice comparison between Snell and Andujar though...Andujar was a cross between Snell and Zambrano.  

Ohlie stunk today, and the Pirates are now trying to give a game away in which they've already scored nine runs before half the game is over.  GEEEEEEEZ!!  Thanks, Gorzo, for putting out the fire.

Reposting because ants marched:

I awoke this morning from my Nyquil-induced coma (under the weather even before the trade) to the jarring strains of, "I've Got You, Babe."  Or was it, "GOTCHA AGAIN, BABE!"?  Wecome to Groundhog Day 2009.

ESPN Radio stated earlier that the Braves are merely the latest in a long string of beneficiaries of the "Pirates' inability to hold onto its stars."  To further add insult to injury, Braves' GM, Frank Wren,  reportedly had to "suppress giggling" when speaking about the trade, an obvious indication of the coup he felt he'd pulled off by stealing Nate and his reasonable, long-term contract from the Bucs.

Makes you really feel good about this trade all over again, doesn't it??  I am completely with the players (who are still left) in that clubhouse.  Stunning betrayal of the fans, yes, but mostly of the Pirates' players.    WHERE is the trust??

Granted, NH has said that no one is untouchable, but did he not also state even more recently, upon signing Nate long-term, that he'd just locked up the CORE of the future??  Which is it, sir?  Who is going to believe anything you say when your actions betray your words?  Please tell me, Neal, how you are going to motivate your players when, two years running now, you RIP the heart right out of the team you say you are building?

As a native Clevelander, I still haven't recovered from the Curse of Rocky Colavito.  I was TEN when that fateful trade ripped MY heart out, and it's been NO SOUP for the Tribe for the 49+ years and counting ever since!!

As I type, McCutch got his 1st MLB hit in his first AB and it appears the Pirates are taking out their collective frustrations  on the ball.  I can only pray that continues.  But long-term, I fear NO SOUP for the Pirates for seventeen (insured now) interminable years AND COUNTING....

(Ohlie immediately just gave one of those four runs right back)....

There was an earlier post regarding the drat, which I know right now isn't on everyones mind, about taking the 21st, 24th or 29th best player with the No 4 pick.

IMO if that happens, this tops Moskos/Wieters by far.  At least Moskos, or so the pundits said, was a top 10 pick, this drat is pitching heavy and the PBC mantra is pitching, pitching, pitching, so if we take a position player, what are we doing??????

Also, very good to see new bloggers, so far we have picked up one more state (I think, file is on computer at home) and one more Country, Canada.

Keep em coming, lets make hay while theres chaos in here.

JAL -

>>Still too many gray here--come on guys<<

If you think this is bad, go over to Bob Smizik's blog. Nothing but gray men/women there. You'll need a straightjacket to wear over your straightjacket.

POH

We already have the series win against the Mets. (Cus of the rainout, its only a three gamer now.) Let's get the SWEEP though!

who's next tike redman?

WOW I thought for sure Emil Brown was long gone from baseball. And McCutchen showing off his speed on the ground ball to first there.

STLRFANRC

Moss not doing that bad considering his start to the season.  He was below 200 the first month and has hit .343 the past 28 days.  Would like to see more power from him but hasn't been awful.

S'okay Maz.

Y'know.  On the basepaths, Wabbits 're good at multiplyin!

Here's to small ball and crooked numbers with AMac & NyjMo adding gasoline to the top of the order....

WoooooT!    Gorzo puts 'em down.

Wabbit.

JAL,

So far I'd say Jaramillo is one of those guys who bat translates to the major leagues pretty much the same as it was in the minors.

I'd guess over the long haul of a season.....

.260 - to .270ish

5 - 10 HR

50 - 60 RBI....

with good defense.

Not bad at all.

Interestingly, Andrew McCutchen has hit all three balls he's swung at into play so far in this game. Good patience and bat control so far.

McCutchen leads off the 5th for the Bucs and he takes a called strike, 0-1.  Next pitch misses, 1-1.  He grounds the next one to SS, throw to 1st, 1 away.

Nyjer hits a come-backer to Green (New pitcher for the Mets) on an 0-1 count.  Green to Murphy, 2 away.

Freddy steps in and takes a called strike, 0-1.  And he skies the next one to CF.  Beltran makes the catch to end the inning.

We head to the 6th, Pirates still lead, 9-5.

JAL

glad you brought up about Jaramillo...and lets include Diaz too. . Those trades sure didn't look like much at the time but I got to give NH credit for trading two underachievers for two overachievers. Maybe he knows a bit more about evaluating talent than many are giving him credit for.

I hated to see McClouth go but people who probably have no ability to evaluate talent at all are writing these three new guys off as a never gonna be's before they even get started.

Emil still playing--that was his first AB of the season.

JAL,

Moss is doing relatively well now I think, but still needs to show more power. Right now should not be a #5 or #6 hitter.

You just have to get more run production and power from your RF'er.

PoH--consider yourself served.

I've come to the conclusion (NuHo, yes, I probably am gullible & foolish) that a) the FO actually does have a plan that they're trying to stick to; & b) I'm as loyal as a dog to this team, and will probably remain so until I'm physically hurt. That would probably entail a trade of either Duke or Maholm, simply because everything I've heard is that you have to hold on to your starting pitchers. If they trade one or both of them, that would mean the plan has gone astray, & I'm not sure what would happen.

This is why I chose my avatar...always willing to give the benefit of the doubt.

NuHos -

>>G-man, Not the belt!!!  Please not the belt!!!<<

Not just that. You'd get sent to bed without your Fiber One Energy Bar snack.  And PoH would not get her chili cheese fries with sour cream.  =:-0

I am sure the players are fired up, but I am wondering if they have finally realized they didn't have power and now with McClouth's "Big Bat" gone they are actually trying to hit singles? They are doing a great job and AM is proving he deserves a shot in the bigs. It will be fun to watch Cubs-Braves tonight with McClouth starting in CF to see how he does.

ok, why would gorzo only go 1/3 of an inning?

Mike Bucy,

I cannot believe I am actually saying this, but GO BRAVES!

McLouth with a cycle!

STLRFANRC--completely agree. Doesn't make sense for Gorzo to only go 1/3, unless they're planning on skipping Karstens or Snell next go 'round.

Burnett is now pitching for the Pirates...I hope nothing's up with Gorz.  

Cora leads off and takes a ball, 1-0.  Next pitch is a called strike 0-1.  Misses, 2-1.  Cora looks at called strike 2...2-2 count. Fouled away.  Low and away and the count goes full, 3-2.  He grounds to the right side and Adam fields and throws...1 away.

1-1 pitch to Castillo and he skies one to RF.  Moss makes the catch. 2 away.

Beltran takes ball 1.  Takes a called strike, count even at 1.  Next pitch misses, 2-1.  Called strike and it's 2-2.  Misses and it's 3-2.  Fouled away.  Swing and a miss and that's strike 3.

Burnett Sets 'em Down...

More Zeroes

Surprised JR didn't stay with Gorzo.

Wabbit.

NuHos -

>>Moss is doing relatively well now I think, but still needs to show more power. Right now should not be a #5 or #6 hitter.<<

Let's face facts. With Adam in a long ball slump and Ryan on the DL, the team has no one to hit in the 3-6 slots who is typical for that. Just a fact that this team is nearly 100% small ball until Ryan comes back. And then, as I said in an earlier thread, no one is going to throw him anything he can hit out of the park or in the gaps unless it's a mistake.

@stlrfanrc  Maybe he is going to be sent back down to AAA soon

If things hold i see  

Jackson in the 7th

Grabow in the 8th

Chavez or Meeks working the 9th

Capps if its a save situation.

IMO todays discussion/skrimish is betwixt two of the family, I like both of them and the things they have to say, just like a brother and sister they can get a bit hot under the collar at each other.

So IMHO, let them duke it out and then they will kiss and make up.

Discussions and differing opinions is what makes this place so good.  (Now here, I'm suggesting for none of us to butt in, while I am butting in......) ; }

I still like Nate...but I like the trade too...I see Ryan going soon too...those multi-year contracts make him even more marketable and the club has two good catchers. Still need some power though...Adam is getting closer to the fence.

I will be in the park for the upcoming Cubs' series...will be interesting to watch what line up will be fielded.

I still like Nate...but I like the trade too...I see Ryan going soon too...those multi-year contracts make him even more marketable and the club has two good catchers. Still need some power though...Adam is getting closer to the fence.

I will be in the park for the upcoming Cubs' series...will be interesting to watch what line up will be fielded.

Uglyken - you're right. I regretted it right after I hit "add."

John Lease: <<Russell must have him in a fantasy league.>> LOLOL. That was good!

Adam leads off and takes, ball 1.  Fly ball hard the other way and Martinez makes the catch on the warning track.  Phooey, 1 away.

Andy takes, ball 1.  Takes again and it misses, 2-0.  Called strike, 2-1.  Misses and it's 3-1.  Taken for a strike, and the count goes full, 3-2.  Swings and misses for strike 3.  2 away.

Moss hits a 1-hopper to the right side.  Murphy fields in  and makes the play for the out.  

Pirates go down 1-2-3.

We head to the 7th, still up 9-5

Thought is was odd that Gorzo went so short too--thought he was the long reliever.

STLRFANRC

On the radio they said they believe its an injury.

Been lurking and enjoying the entire blog...

Thank you DMac for the PBP.

NH...I am riding shot gun on your bus, regarding this FO...I thought I would have never typed that here but the events of the last 24 hrs have just convinced me that this ownership cares about NOTHING but lining their pockets. This is a slap in the face to the players, the fans, and the citizens that built them the best ballpark any Farm Club will ever play in....

Nice to see you here this afternoon PoH and G-Man. attempting to rally the troops. Kepp marching you dedicated soldiers. We need you.

A win today will be great and much appreciated under the circumstances, but even a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while. String together wins this weekend and head into Atlanta with a winning streak....

Nice to see so many of the Inmates here today.

Keep it up Andrew!!!!

G-man

That is why I do not post on Smizik's blog

The radio guys are speculating that maybe there was some sort of injury to Gorzo.  Let's hope that's not the case, but it would explain things.

Did little LaRoche get hurt?  With the HBP?

Gorzo has been looking good..maybe slides in for Snell, Karstens has looked ok recently.

why did Andy get taken out?

pghfaninstil,

It was a double switch.  Jackson took Andy's spot in the order, Hinske batting 9th.

Gameday on MLB.com says Andy left with an injured knee.  Not good.

****!  Injured knee for Andy...not good news!

Read this morning that  lost his set up job after the Bucs pounded him so here he is in the 7th.

DK updatyed--Andy left with bruised knee from the HBP--status day to day

Just said on radio bruised right knee for Andy and he is day-to-day.

Changes for the PIrates...Hinske is on to play 3rd and Jackson is on the mound.  Double switch with Hinske batting in the 9-spot and Jackson in the 5-spot.

Sheffield leads off for the Mets.  He takes a called strike, 0-1.  Next 2 miss, 2-1.  FOuled away, 2-2.  In the dirt and the count goes full, 3-2.  

...........................

Phone call....sorry...

Andy left because of a bruised right knee...probably that knee that got hit.  >:(

JAL,

Is P-u-t-z censored?  That's hilarious!

Vazquez?  4-4?  Well done.

What did vasquez eat this morning?  4 for 4!

VAZQUEZ HAS HIS JUKE!

Very carreer RBI for McCutchen.

andrew!!!!

FormerSox

Not censored--just left it out :)

Take a look at the dirty uni for McCutchen! Gotta love it!

Wait a minute, posting on Smiziks blog?  Isn't that like cheating on your significant other??

So whats the score?

More congrats to Cutch--1st ML RBI.

Go Bucs!

Go, Cutch, Go!

First carreer SB for McCutchen, congrats Andrew congrats.

And there's McCutchen's first RBI! A multi-hit game! 10 runs for the PBC! YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

man McCutchen did it all today.. way to go !!

Now Cutch has his 1st RBI--good start, hope it is a sign of more to come.

MCCUTCHEN WITH HIS FIRST STEAL!

GET ON THE TRAIN PEOPLE!

This kid's going to be fun to watch.

And Nyjer drives him in!

NYJMO! RBI TRIPLE!

Oh yeah, also Cutch's 1st ML stolen base.

This is fantastic. And the NYJMO bus rolls on with a triple!

On the radio, did they say that McCutchen was boo'ed when his name was announced or before his first AB or something?

Wow, really cool to watch McCutchen!  Bittersweet indeed, but it takes a little of the sting off.

Wow.

Cutch singles and drives in a run.

Steals second.

and NyjMo triples him in....

WOOOOOOOT!!!!!

Fuel and a lit match at the top of the Pirates' order!!!

Mmmmmwwwwaaaaa-Ha-HA!!!!

Wabbit.

Vasquez is 4-4, and Freddy's the only regular without a hit.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have entered Bizarro World.

#1 & #2 in the lineup:  4 for 8 with 8 runs scored...not bad, not bad.  This is without Sanchez getting a hit!

WEIRD stuff going on today.  Pull Gorzo after 2/3 of an inning.  Pull AnLa late in the game after arguably the best defensive (that's what they're saying on the radio) play at 3rd of the season.  Vasquez with four hits and a stolen base.  

Next thing you know they'll trade Nate McLouth.  And maybe even call up Andrew McCutchen, who will have his first MLB hit in his 1st AB, his first steal, his first RBI, score a bunch of runs, and steal the spotlight away from all the Pirate gloom and doom.

Yeah...in my dreams....

did I hear right Andrew... booed in the pre game announcements and in his first plate appearance?....that is sad

FSF...YES!  That name is censored.

WOOHOO!  McCutchen singles and plates Vazquez.

Andrew steals 2nd, without a throw!

Nyjer triples and plates McCutchen!

Freddy goes to a 2-0 count before flying out to CF for the last out of the 7th.

(I know, abbreviated PBP.  I should be good now.)

Pelfrey is on my list now (and that's not a good thing)...hitting Andy on the knee.  >:(

OH!  Pirates now lead 11-5! SWEET!