Pirates vs. Marlins, 7-5-09

DK--sorry, I thought you wrote that the Orioles were the "front runner" for Sano.  Based on your response late last night and my not being able to find that now, I was mistaken.  I was just trying to find out what goes into labeling a team the"front runner" in this situation (or if it's just someone's "opinion"), but I guess I will have to track down the person who reported it.

$$$$$  BODY WATCH – ATTENDANCE AT MLB PARKS $$$$$

Thru 7/4/09

30. Oakland……. 40 dates ** 725,096 total  **  18,127 avg.

29. Florida……… 44 dates ** 801,995 total  **  18,227 avg.

28. PIRATES ….. 39 dates ** 720,947 total  **  18,485 avg.

27. Cleveland….. 43 dates ** 956,731 total  **  22,249 avg.

26. Toronto…...… 43 dates ** 982,117 total  **  22,839 avg.

1. NY Yanks … 40 dates ** 1,808,684 total   **   45,217 avg.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I wonder what Ryan Braun will whine about regarding the All-Star game?

"But the other guys all get 3 days off, shouldn't I get three days off, too?"

"They better not hit me"

"Don't put my locker next to Freddy/Zach"

"Don't I get a ring for playing in the All Star game if we win?"

I know, the possibilities are endless.

       Any chance Jones plays 1st today?

I've been following this team long enough that I've seen this cycle of trading over and over again.  Some of it had to be done. A lot of these trades were about nothing but $$$$.

It pains me to think that core of the infield may be fractured. I know that both Jack and Freddie are about to become free agents.  So when do you spend the money?  YOU NEED TO HAVE SOME VETERANS ON THIS TEAM.

There are a lot of young pitchers on this staff that are making progress.  The management has already placed a significant amount of pressure on these guys already by reducing the number of power hitters on this team.  At least give them a solid defense behind them up the middle, for God's sake.

morning links available here

community.post-gazette.com/.../morning-links-best-stuff-since.aspx

Boy, I'd say Nolasco had one TERRIBLE start to still have a 5.99 ERA while going 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA his last three starts!

So ... for everyone out there tempted to say "yet another guy with a 6 ERA shutting out the Pirates, temper it with how he's come on lately ... hopefully we can get his pitch count up, scratch out 3 runs on him and get to the bullpen.

And, hopefully, Ohlendorf matches/betters him today.

my line up prediction--if Sanchez still out

1-Cutch--CF

2-Wilson-ss

3- Moss-RF

4-Jones-LF

5-Pearce-1b

6-Andy-3b

7-Vasquez-2b

8-Jaramillo-C

If Sanchez plays he goes #2 Jramillo 7 and Wilson 8

All pure guesses

DK: Can you get a comment about what the promotion of two catchers to AAA means with Doumit's return looming?

@JAL - "All pure guesses."

Though albeit educated, JAL! The only real guess you took was on Pearce at first ... with all JR's shuffles, should be more interesting than a late 50s British skiffle.

Scorus - The two catchers heading to Indy is, indeed, very interesting. Good point.

I say it means either Jaramillo and/or Diaz could be heading out ... I'd say they've both made themselves very marketable for teams looking for a backup catcher down the stretch.

Nice pickup, Scorus.

Oh well, JAL. Same lineup as Friday, with DY back on the bench where he belongs (he said, tongue in cheek ... his bat is tempting, and he's making me second guess my "If he's a good hitter, we'll find a place for him to play" philosophy)

Nice guess, JAL, but no cigar.

From the other thread...

@ MT: I think I was clear when I put into my comment that I was excluding parking. But, since the specter of "made up numners" - whatever that actually means - has come up, chew on this:

According to the PBC's very own website, the average ticket price at PNC Park is $17.07. According to Joey Bats' statistics, average attendance is 18,485 per game. Multiply that by 81 and you get (potentially) an annual attendance of 1,497,285.

Now, also per usual, folks are putting words in my keyboard. I am not saying that adding Gorzo is going to put butts in the seats. Putting a better team on the field will. Increasing attendance to a nice round 2 million would = an additional 502,715 ticket buyers. Multiply that times $17.07 and you get $8,581,345.00 just in ticket sales.

This does not count the surcharges added to the sale of each ticket. This does not count the PBC's cut on food and beverage sales. This does not count the $$ made through catering at the luxury boxes (which is one of the reasons we "needed" a new ballpark so as to capture that revenue).

I'll try to put this as plainly as possible. My contention is that by spending enough $$ to get an 8 game swing in your record (to go from 7 games under .500 to one game over), the owners of the PBC can generate plenty of revenue to cover the cost of the acquisitions.

Jose

DK - On the Palm Beach Post headline: How HORRIBLE! Stuff like that makes you wonder if they just pulled that sports editor off the street with ZERO experience, and a major in bigotry.

Is the Palm Beach Post a weekly, or a thrifty nickel?

The Altoona paper says the 2 catchers are trading clubs. One to Indy and one back to Altoona from Indy

Bill Madden of the NY Daily News does not like the Pirates or Frank Coonelly.  For some reason he decided to write about both again.

I do not like Bill Madden.

www.nydailynews.com/.../index.html

Vid on 2 of the Pirates most recent signees: Sheng-Chin Hung & Ping-Hung Chi:

taiwanbaseball.blogspot.com/.../opening-win-for-nt-in-holland.html

You can turn off the sound unless you can understand Chinese.....

Bay

Just thought he might give Adam a rest after a night game.  Knew it was  a gamble though--that is why I never bet money :)

Good morning aylum, love the lineup, would like to see Jones get some starts at 1B though because I believe he can be the man to replace Adam at first.

           ROSS = LIKE A BOSS!!

I likie this lineup. With the exception of Sanchez sliding into the two hole when he's back, and jack subsequently dropping to number 8, I think this is about the best lineup the Pirates can field until Doumit returns

Hello all:

I don't know if this has already been answered but, what happens if Freddie makes the allstar team and then we trade him before the game.  Do we lose our allstar rep in the game?

Dejan

I agree, such a headline belongs over opinion columns, not news stories.  

Jose, the made un numbers are the projections from Bringing gorzo up.  If radio is taliknig about gorzo and he is saying that he wonders why they would not bring him up if he will make the team better.    Then you say you agree with Radio.  if the conversation starts out being about gorzo and then it goes to better team with him that will make more money which is really about questioning the owners committtment and you say you agree but at no time do you interject any qualifliers now excluding yourself from part of what you said you agreed with, which one is it?

                       OHLIE OHLIE OHLIE'S IN FREE

Jose, if there was any twisting of words going on maybe we should check what radio was talking about.  Radio limited his questioning to the subject of potentially excluding players from playing time for a smaller payout to that player.  From DK's work one could take a guess that if one were so inclined that Gorzo is being kept in the minors for the purpose of avoiding arbitration one could believe that fantasy.

Somehow from talk of gorzo being held off the roster for financial future gains  and that him alone would make this a better team and that you agreed with him.  Somewheres theres an extraplation I miss where all of a sudden we are not talkiing about Gorzo but about the the whole team again or some other parts of it so now it it is changed that soem better palyers could make this team good enough to reach .500 and that would bring in the guarenteed revenue increases,

And I twisted the words.  You just saw a comment thast allowed you to jump on the FO one more time only this one does not fly.

There is no evidence that a .500 team would bring an attendance jump like that and to the cpontrary it has been put here by more than one that great players in pgh have not done that.

ts

Interesting question and no idea what the answer is

@JosePagan wrote re: Pirates vs. Marlins, 7-5-09

on Jul 5, 2009 10:51 AM

From the other thread...

@ MT: I think I was clear when I put into my comment that I was excluding parking. But, since the specter of "made up numners" - whatever that actually means - has come up, chew on this:

According to the PBC's very own website, the average ticket

________________________

Get a clue and do not put words in my mouth for the :made up numbers"  I never said that and only questioned the amount if any.

Here is my post so you can get your reading glasses on.

"@ Radio, JJ and Jose

I don't beleive that the Pirates get any of the parking money and not sure of how much they rake on the food.  Too many hands in these jars to make much from them.   I would like to see hard numbers before stating that they make such and such before condemming them in this regard of spending. As for Gorzo he still needs to prove he belongs here and yes he has looked good going back to starting in AAA which everyone points out is not the majors.  But like JJ said who do you bump right now and why?  Now come trades and proformance from the starters right I would say bring him up if any of them falters to a degree that we need the help.  As a business man you have to weigh in what you gain and what you will lose by doing so.  If the season is a losing one why would you up the anty on Gorzy right now?  Does not make business sense. IMO"

I find nothing offesensive to you as a person or made-up comments in my post.

Please stay within what I comment on if you wish to converse with me. Don;t make up thiings to try and make your point.

Mornig all mates,

If I missed any posts on this, sorry, but any word on what the Giants are offering for Freddy?

To make a fool of myself again today ; }

MOSS GOES DEEP TODAY

The pirates come to the bay area the end of this month and I will be there for all 3 games but I wonder if we will have Freddy or Adam,

Also does anyone know if 7 games under 500 is the high for this year, I am starting to get worried, I must add I do see alot of postives but my I say my ULTIMATE GOAL was a wildcard or division crown, Laugh if you must, but entering today we are only 6 GAMES BACK OF THE CENTRAL LEAD,

@JAL

Hey I know its awhile off, but in the off season do you guys blog, One would think no, but the only dumb ? is the one you dont ask,

CURRENT PIRATE STANDINGS AS OF 8.57 PST

7.5 GB SF GIANTS FOR NL WILDCARD (WOW)

6.0 GB OF STL, MIL, FOR NL CENTRAL

LET GO ON A RUN , YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

@Bizrow wrote re: Pirates vs. Marlins, 7-5-09

on Jul 5, 2009 11:47 AM

Mornig all mates,

If I missed any posts on this, sorry, but any word on what the Giants are offering for Freddy?

To make a fool of myself again today ; }

MOSS GOES DEEP TODAY

__________

At least he is in the line-up today. So you have a chance of being correct.

Dejan:

Could you post the article from the Palm Beach Post on the debut of the two new pitchers please?  The PalmBeachPost.com did not include it.

Freddy Sanchez seriously , getting out of a cab??I mean give me a break, Do you some stretching, See these are the type of things that you remember if Freddy does get traded...Speaking of, I can never point the finger at FREDDY and his 300 average, but as a Pirate Fan I can honestly say his first pitch swinging has killed so man rallies before they could manifest, so he has his 300avg but again he has killed many rallies ....Endless times pitchers are struggling and he would swing at the first pitch , doing his own thing, having his own agenda, ..If he does get traded , see ya later....The show goes on ...

I heard the Giants were in on Adam LaRoche, are they in on Freddie as well?

Daryle,  This year freddy sure has been a rally killer.  

Freddy and jack are still my last wo regulars to go.

Hello everyone!

I hope Freddy's back loosens up soon.  I think his bat is missed in the lineup, and his glove at 2nd.  

Mostly, I'm just hoping for a good game and a win, of course.  :-)

@AW...LOVE your Cryin' Ryan All Star list.  lmao.

Good morning everyone, I hope everyone had a nice holiday.

Here's a couple of links I found on potential Bucs trades.

www.mlbtraderumors.com/.../pirates-rumors-.html

www.mlbtraderumors.com/.../morosis-latest-blue-jays-sanchez-correia-halladay.html

Freddy not playing is starting to make me wonder about these trade rumors.

@William,

www.post-gazette.com/.../981978-63.stm

Ahoy there!

I had a great time in Pgh last week.  I apologize for not being able to meet everyone last Sunday at Bay Day.  The kids wanted to get some autographs, so I could not meet at Honus Wagner.  By the way, we got Meek's, Duke's, Chavez's and Karstens' autographs.

Thank you to Smokey Burgess for filling in for me for catch on the field.  I envy you!

On Tuesday night, my brother caught a foul ball down the left field line from a Cubs batting practice batter.  We were too far from home plate to see who exactly it was.

Daryle, I believe the Bucs were at one time eight games under .500 right before the two series wins against the Indians and Royals.

goomba'a second rumor would explain the 2 Pirate scouts at the Yankees - Mariners game the other day (or their being there could be the genesis of the rumor, you know the old chicken/egg thing)

Rudy Owens makes Baseball America's midseason minor league  "all-surprising" team:

www.baseballamerica.com/.../268482.html

Daryle-All pro LB Brian Urlacher hurt his back COUGHING AND MISSED TWO GAMES.Injuries sometimes are a fluke.I know I've slept wrong and woke up with a neck I couldn't turn for a couple days.

                                 HEAR YE HEAR YE

                NEXT GATHERING POST TRADE DEADLINE

For those not able to see Pirates' pre-game, they had the radio PBP from Indy on the phone...Doumit is there and playing in the 1st game of the double header, since yesterday's game was rained out.  Ryan is telling them he wants to re-join the Pirates on the last leg of the road trip in Philly.  I guess we'll wait to see what the Pirate brass says about that, huh?    ;-)

He also said that Gorz has been pitching exceptionally well since he returned from Pittsburgh. And Gorz really enjoyed being in the pen also.  

According to announcers:  This looks like a "W."

Anyone else beside me think Bob Walk would make a good manager?

TIme for first pitch...

AMac steps in.  Nolasco deals and it's upstairs, ball 1.  AMac swings and misses, 1-1.  Fouled away, 1-2.  Grounded slowly to the Left side, Bonifacio was playing on the edge of the OF grass, but has to charge and fields on the INF grass.  No chance to get AMac at 1st, he's in safe with a leadoff single.

Jack takes a ball, 1-0.  Down low, 2-0.  Upstairs, 3-0.  The next pitch just catches the outside of the plate, 3-1 count.  This time it misses, ball 4.

1st and 2nd, no one out.

Moss hits the first one to RF.  Not very deep...Hermida makes the catch.  1 away.  Runners hold.

Adam takes strike 1 on the outside corner.  Swing and miss, 0-2.  And he swings and misses, strike 3.  2 away.

Jones takes down and in, 1-0.  Grounded to the right side, Cantu fields and steps on the bag for the 3rd out.

Reading! Welcome to the Asylum!

Given your handle, dost thou post from Reading, Pennsylvania? I'm down here in East Texas where the Bucco fans are scarce but the necks are good and red.

See Nurse Ratchid for your Meds, an attendant for your straight jacket (for games like yesterdays) ... I think there's one more room in the Littlefield Wing.

@Baywatch wrote re: Pirates vs. Marlins, 7-5-09

on Jul 5, 2009 1:15 PM

Anyone else beside me think Bob Walk would make a good manager?

___________

Not so sure about that.  He reminds me a little of Edzo when he went from playing to broadcasting then coach of the pens and that did not turn out very well.   Sometimes you can have all the info/plan needed but getting the team to follow is another thing.  IMO

four issues:

1. bay- I love walk on the radio. good noodle up there.

2. didn't freddy hurt his back last year and try to play through it to horrid results?

3. anybody else read a subtle racism into the miami paper note? why would 'Indians' be such a low thing to them? all the more reason to rip today.

4. great OF lineup-play them everyday

MOSS AND ROSS ARE BOSS, BUT PEARCE WOULD BE FIERCE

Ohlie is ready to go.  

Coghlan takes a called strike 1.  Takes and it catches the outside corner, 0-2.  Up and in, 2-1.  Fouled away.  Grounded weakly to the left side, Andy comes over and fields it in front of  Jack, throws to Adam.  1 away.

Bonifacio foul tips it into the glove of Jaramillo, 0-1.  Fouled away, 0-2.  Fouled off of Jaramillo, knocking the mask off.  Still 0-2.  Fouled away.  And he swings and misses for strike 3.  2 away.

Uggla takes low, ball 1.  Misses, 2-0.  Outside, 3-0.  And he walks on 4 straight.

Cantu takes outside, 1-0.  Popped to shallow R-CF.  Moss comes in and makes the catch to end the inning.

They've completed 1, no score.

Andy leads off and takes a called strike, 0-1.  Catches the outside corner, 0-2.  Methinks Andy didn't like that call.  Fouled away.  Takes and it's just high, 1-2.  Fly ball down the RF line.  Hermida makes the catch.  1 away.

RV steps in and takes, ball 1.  Fouled away into the LF seats, 1-1.  Takes a called strike, 1-2.  Fouled away.  In the dirt, 2-2 count.  And he looks at a called strike 3 at the knees.  2 away.

Jaramillo takes outside, 1-0.  Fouled away, 1-1.  Outside, 2-1.  Fouled away, 2-2.  Ripped foul, count stays, 2-2.  Fouled away.  Grounded to 2nd, throw to 1st.  Side retired.

Saftey Dave

DK can't post a story from another paper without permission--copyright--same reason we post links here.  I think the Post changed the headline on the web--here is the link

www.palmbeachpost.com/.../BBN_Pirates_Million_Dollar_Arm.html

Now please click on my avatar and get one -makes posts easier to follow

Here we go again--pitcher with an ERA over 5 setting them down 1-2-3

@baywatch

they say some of the best managers are ones that played the game, i could listen to BOB WALK for 18 innings, I mean just a treat, I once hoped he had a chance to get the job on the last search...I for one , like you think he would make a great Manager....

@pi rat

U are right , I found that strange, maybe the writer has an issue with people from India?

I think the Marlins might have gone over budget on their awning/shade for the visiting bullpen.

@DMac

I like Walk as well and loved Edzo as an anouncer. Good job and they have a view that relates to Pittsburgh at least I think.

Hermida takes ball 1.  Takes a called strike at the knees, 1-1.  Up and in, 2-1.  Fouled away, 2-2.  Line drive to R-CF.  It drops in the gap and he is in safe at 3rd with the stand-up triple.  

Ross takes, ball 1.  Popped foul, out of play, 1-1.  Fouled back, 1-2.  Hit him on the hand.

Runners at the corners, no one out.

Baker takes outside, ball 1.  Fouled away, 1-1. Catches the inside corner, 1-2.  Grounded foul.  Grounded to the right side.  Adam charges, fields it and throws home, but it's off the mark and the run scores.  Runners at 1st and 2nd.

Helms takes ball 1.  Takes a called strike, 1-1.  Just misses outside, 2-1.  Fly ball to RF. It drops for a single.  Moss guns it in and the runner holds at 3rd.  

Bases loaded, none out.

Nolasco takes outside, 1-0. Catches the outside corner, 1-1.  Chopped to SS...Jack to RV to Adam for the 6-4-3 DP.  Another run comes across.

Runner at 3rd, 2 away.

Coghlan grounds it right to Adam, steps on the bag and retires the side.

Fish take the lead, 2-0.

@Reading...LOL.  That's just wrong, making those guys huddle under that miniscule awning like that!  

Oh, and I LOVE Bob Walk!  When I used to watch/listen from Nebraska, I didn't get to fully appreciate him, but I definitely do now.  

Oops sorry DMac I was reading to fast andposted to the wrong person. I should have directed that at pi-rat

@JAL - "Here we go again--pitcher with an ERA over 5 setting them down 1-2-3."

JAL, see my earlier post (maybe previous thread). Though Nolasco has 5.99 ERA, he is 3-0 his last three starts with a well under 2 ERA.

Arriba -

Your question: >>I wonder what Ryan Braun will whine about regarding the All-Star game?<< followed by a list.

My answer: All of the above. It IS Braun, after all. And he may require all the NL players to untuck their shirts if they manage to win.

Freddy has been named to the All-Star team.

Ohlie leads off and takes strike 1.  Fly ball to RF...Hermida makes the catch.  1 away.

AMac takes a strike on the outside corner, 0-1.  Just misses, 1-1.  Long foul ball down to the right sides, 1-2.  Misses inside, 2-2.  Grounder deep to SS and it's another INF single for AMac.

Jack grounds the first pitch foul, 0-1.  Upstairs, 1-1.  Outside, 2-1.  Swings and misses, 2-2.  And he swings and misses for strike 3.  2 away.

Moss steps in, Nolasco throws to 1st.  Pitchout, 1-0 count.  Outside, 2-0.  He takes a called strike, AMac goes and is in safely at 2nd!  6 for 6 on SB's for AMac!    2-1 count to Moss.  Swings and misses, 2-2.  He goes down on strikes.  Side retired.

FSF

Thanks--now only needs 600  to trigger the option year

Brandon "Growing Painz" Moss! Aaaarrrrrrgh!

I used to think we had too many outfielders ... Now, it seems to be a process of elimination to see who will join McCutcheon out there ... Garrett Jones? Jose Tabata? Lastings Milledge? Moss?

Positive note from top of 3rd: base was stolen without over sliding.

Anyone think that in the last inning the Fish would have tried to score another run.  The one where Moss threw home on and held the runner at third if anyone else was in RF?

I like Moss and he needs to play but he also needs to work on that inside low stuff. Playing is one way to cure it if he gets to see if often enough.

                            FREDDY IS AGAIN REDDY

If anyone has Bob Nutting's e-mail address, would they kindly e-mail Robert Dvorchak's article in today's paper?  It details the building of the Penguins' championship - achieved in year 4 of a five year game plan

Bay

Thanks--missed that post

Reading

You have the wrong player--it was Morgan who kept over sliding bases, not Cutch

@Reading wrote re: Pirates vs. Marlins, 7-5-09

on Jul 5, 2009 2:07 PM

Positive note from top of 3rd: base was stolen without over sliding.

__________

Yep that guy is gone alhough he was getting better at it.

My question is why didn't Clutch steal when Jack (righthander) was batting to help open the hole at short instead of when Moss (left hander) was up?  That closed the hole on the right side by letting the 1st baseman play in a normal position.

Bay -

>>Anyone else beside me think Bob Walk would make a good manager?<<

Are you suggesting him as a replacement for JR or just manager candidate in general?

mad -

Good point about Edzo and the Penguins. He translate miserably from the booth to behind the bench.

Ohlie deals to Bonifacio and it's a called strike, 0-1.  Fouled away, 0-2.  Misses, 1-2.  Fly ball to LF...Jones makes the catch.  1 away.

Uggla fouls the first pitch away, 0-1.  Fouled away, 0-2.  Swings and misses, strike 3.  2 away.

Cantu Laces one down the LF line, it's just fair and it goes into the corner.  He's in at 2nd with a double.

Hermida takes a called strike, 0-1.  Inside, 1-1.  He singles up the middle.  Cantu comes around and scores.

Ross steps in and Ohlie throws to first.  Takes upstairs, 1-0.  Fouled away, 1-1.  Hermida takes off, the pitch is high, and the throw to 2nd is high as well...runner is safe.  Count to Ross is 2-1.  Fouled away and the count is even, 2-2.  Grounded to 2nd, Vazquez to Adam for the 3rd out.

After 3, 3-0 Fish.

@Mad...no problem...No harm, no foul.  :-)

"If anyone has Bob Nutting's e-mail address, would they kindly e-mail Robert Dvorchak's article in today's paper?  It details the building of the Penguins' championship - achieved in year 4 of a five year game plan"

When the pirates have the opportunity to draft a player who immediately becomes the best player in the league and the mlb gets some form of a cap, you can send that to nutting.

How soon people forget that the great penguin ownership was on the verge of selling the team.

Two bad at bats from both Moss and Adam so far. Two good at bats from Jones, although he hit the first one right at the 1B.

Adam seems to be playing not to get traded.  I think it's time to give him a rest and let's see Pearce and Jones both in the line-up.  Move Moss to LF and have Jones or Pearce in RF or 1st base.  Would like to see all three in there at once. Heck it can't get much worse.  Hopefully they will be in against a power pitcher though.

Vazquez down again on strikes, man in scoring position ...

But you have to tip your cap to Nolasco ... HEY, WAIT A MINUTE! STOP THROWING ALL THAT OLD PRODUCE AT ME!!

Adam leads off and takes ball 1.  Fouls the next one off, 1-1.  Takes ball 2...2-1 count.  Takes a called strike, 2-2.  Fouled away.  Swings and misses for strike 3.  1 away.

Jones takes ball 1.  Takes a strike, 1-1.  Fouled away, 2-2.  Fouled away.  Singles to RF.

Andy takes a called strike on the inside corner, 0-1.  Takes a ball inside, 1-1.  Fouled away, 1-2.  Grounded to 2nd.  Uggla only has 1 play and that's to get Andy at 1st.  Jones moves to 2nd.   2 away.

RV fouls the first pitch away, 0-1.  Takes low, ball 1.  Swings and misses, 1-2.  Swings and misses for strike 3.

That ends the top of the 4th.

I wonder how Snell likes throwing to Doumit since he seems to prefer AAA catchers.

I have to wonder about the Pirates batting coach, when the Pirate players have two strikes on them, you know that breaking ball down is coming and you know that is strike 3.

They all look the same with that pitch except Jones and McCutchen, they have not been here long enough for them to alter his swing so he can't hit that pitch either.

@G-Manny Bein' G-Manny: "Are you suggesting him (Walk) as a replacement for JR or just manager candidate in general?"

I think any of us who have sense enough to stick with the same lineup every day could replace JR! I just liked the way Walk was talking to begin the game ... only problem with Walk is that he beats the dead horse often.

After giving us a dissertation on how the guy at the plate with 2 outs should try for an extra base hit, so a single could drive him in, he reissued his dissertation after it happened that way ... It's like, "You already covered that territory, Walkie! Give us another old bullpen story!"

Bya

i have some new produce from our farmer's market--so here you go

Plum==splat

Peach-spalt

Tomato-splat

Black raspberries -splat

Happy now my friend :)

           I hesitate to even bring this up but Ian is doing well in Indy again.

I am clearly not an Ian guy but i am encouraged more by todays numbers 5 INNINGS 5 hits 1bb 5 strike outs but i believe his pitch count is down 69 and strikes are up 48.

Indy leads 1-0

it's about pitching

Once more the gray men are destroying the karma..--come  on , please get avatars or stay over on Smizik's page

looks like after such a good game last time Ohlie doesn't have much this one--

Shero did an amazing job with trades the last 2 seasons, and deserves a ton of credit. But trying to equate how the Pens were able to get their core players with the Pirates in any way is just baloney. First, the Pens got incredibly lucky - getting Crosby in a lottery the year after the lockout. Second, hockey players, like basketball players, can develop much quicker than baseball players. Show me one baseball team in history that has drafted in consecutive years players equivalent to Fleury, Crosby, Malkin and Staal.

I think it's nap-nap time.

Isn't it dissapointing that these teams the Pirates play get a guy on second and he scores so often, the Pirates have a guy on 2nd three innings in a row and can't get the guy in.

Situational hitting just is not there.

Might as well put Young in now and let him get some fielding practice.

Baker singles up the middle on a 2-1 count.  Leadoff runner aboard.

Pitch to Helms is outside, 1-0.  Fouled away, 1-1.  Ripped foul, to the left side, 1-2.  Lines a single to LF.  Baker to 2nd.

Nolasco swings on the first pitch, with Andy and Adam in on the grass, it's fouled away, 0-1.  Fouled away again, 0-2.  Bunted to 1st.  Ohlie fields and throws to Adam.  They get the out at 1st, runners advance.  1 away.

Coghlan takes ball 1. Grounded back toward the middle, to the left of 2B...Jack dives, but it's just out of reach.  1 run scores, but they hold the 2nd runner at 3rd.  

Runners at the corners, 1 away.

Bonifacio takes a called strike, 0-1.  Fouled away, 0-2.  Throw to 1st.  Throw to 1st. He's smoking those balls to Adam.  And Bonifacio swings and misses for strike 3.  2 away.

Doumit update...0-2 in Indy.  

Uggla takes a called strike, 0-1.  Fly ball to shallow CF...AMac comes in, Jack goes out, RV goes out, but the ball drops.  It looks like there was some indecision, or communication issues out there...AMac slowed a little on that.  Another run comes across.

Runners at the corners, 2 away.

Cantu takes, ball 1.  Takes a called strike, 1-1.  Fly ball to RF...RV comes over and makes the catch in shallow RF for the 3rd out.

It's 5-0 Marlins after 4.

leadoff

That has been a problem all season.  

This is turning ugly...

I find it interesting that Florida is a contending team (1 game out of first) and their lineup has five guys hitting around .250 and no one even as high as .290. They must be hitting pretty well with RISP though I don't have a stat on that.

MarkInDallas -

>>This is turning ugly<<

Or in this case, Uggla who just drove in a run.

Jaramillo takes a called strike, 0-1.  Grounded to the right side, Uggla fields on the RF grass, throws to Cantu for the out.  1 away.

Ohlie takes a called strike, 0-1.  Takes outside, 1-1.  Swings and misses, 1-2.  Takes low, 2-2 count.  Looks at a called strike 3 on the outside corner.  2 away.

AMac looks at a called strike, 0-1.  Takes another strike, 0-2.  Inside, 1-2.  Misses low, 2-2 count.  And he swings and misses for strike 3.  That retires the side.

Time for Plan B or maybe C.

Hey Gang,

I watched one of my favorite movies beginning to end yesterday "Conspiracy Theory" and maybe I was unduly influenced but:

1.  Anybody consider it a coincidence that Hanley Ramirez is out for the day?  Could they be showcasing Bonafacio for us?

2.  One of the announcers said something about Dan Uggla being maybe "the next to go"?

Assuming Dejan is asleep, how about a PACKAGE deal of Freddy and Milledge to Fla for Uggla and Bonafacio?

I think I'd do that one.

Stuart

Down 5-0, 5th inning, pitcher has given up 5 runs the last 3 innings and yet he bats --hmmmmm

Hermida works to a 2-1 count before flying out to shallow RF...RV makes the catch, calling off both Adam and Moss.  1 away.

ROss takes a called strike, 0-1.  Low, 1-1.  Misses, 2-1.  Fly ball to the left side, Jones makes the catch for the 2nd out.  

Baker lines the first pitch down the RF line.  Adam dives, but it's just out of his reach and Baker is in at 2nd with a double.

Helms takes a called strike 1.  Fly ball to shallow RF...Moss comes in and makes the catch to retire the side.

Still 5-0 Fish.

"looks like after such a good game last time Ohlie doesn't have much this one--"

@JAL

Ross is frustrating at times, he clearly knows how to pitch but if his breaking stuff isnt working well like today he is not going to be as sharp obviously. What i would preach to him if it appears the breaking stuff is not working, focus on his fastball more and encourage him to reach back for a little more he used to throw consistently in the mid 90's now he doesnt seem to reach that speed and it appears to be by plan.

@macsinthebox wrote re: Pirates vs. Marlins, 7-5-09

on Jul 5, 2009 2:31 PM

          I hesitate to even bring this up but Ian is doing well in Indy again.

I am clearly not an Ian guy but i am encouraged more by todays numbers 5 INNINGS 5 hits 1bb 5 strike outs but i believe his pitch count is down 69 and strikes are up 48.

Indy leads 1-0

it's about pitching

____________

I agree but do we know if he is pitching inside or not?  Also is he following whatever plan the manager has for him or doing his own thing?  Inquiring minds would like to know.

JR or somebody needs to tell the Pirates that "It's On."

Jack leads off and swings and misses, 0-1.  Fouled away, 0-2.  And he goes down swinging.  1 away.

Moss takes low, 1-0.  Grounded to Cantu.  2 away.

Adam grounds to SS...Bonifacio to Cantu for the 3rd out.

@Baywatch wrote re: Pirates vs. Marlins, 7-5-09

on Jul 5, 2009 2:36 PM

Might as well put Young in now and let him get some fielding practice.

__________

In place of Vazquez please.  Let him get some reps in there.

Macs

That is what good pitchers do, they adjust to what is working.  I saw him pitch in DC and his sinker kept hitting the dirt yet he kept throwing it.  

I dont understand how Adam and Andy get fooled on breaking balls, AMAC is joining the club, I mean you would think these guys had never had a bat in there hand, We are going down like  Double AA team, Geesh

Nats announcers wowing at another defensive play by Morgan--over the shoulder catch running  at full speed toward the wall.

The Pirate hitters do not attack, they defend, you can't hit if all you do is defend the strike zone, you have to attack it, first pitch any pitch, just take some good rips instead of these fishing swings that come up with nothing.

I think it's the hats today.  It no longer is the fourth of July they need to wear their normal hats. Or face getting a HAP cap from G-Man. Oh wait that is a good thing.

Jackson is on the mound for the Bucs.

Nolasco leads off and takes, ball 1.  Looks at a called strike, 1-1.  He drops a single to R-CF.  

Coghlan pops the first pitch up near the plate, 3B side, Andy comes down and makes the catch.  1 away.

Bonifacio takes a strike at the knees, 0-1.  Swings and misses, 0-2.  Outside, 1-2.  Foul tipped but dropped, still 1-2.  Rolled to RV, throw to Jack to get the lead runner, but the relay to Adam is late.

Runner at 1st, 2 away.

Uggla takes ball 1.  He takes and it's a strike on the outside corner, 1-1.  Throw to 1st.  Pitch to Uggla misses, 2-1 count, Jaramillo makes a snap throw to 1st, runner back safely.  Runner goes, Uggla hits it to RF, Moss makes the catch and retires the side.

Still 5-0 after 6.  

Mad

I agree but do we know if he is pitching inside or not?  Also is he following whatever plan the manager has for him or doing his own thing?  Inquiring minds would like to know.

____________________________________

I listened to some of the game, Snell is not pitching to the Yankees, they will stand up there until they get the pitch they want, the AAA teams don't wait, they are up there hacking, Snell is not getting into scenarios where he has to be fine and he is not throwing a lot of pitches.

Given that Nolasco has 10ks already and counting, it is probably safe to say that he would pitch a perfect game against Toledo with 27 ks.

Jones fouls the first pitch away, 0-1.  Takes outside, 1-1.  Ripped foul, 1-2 count.  Low, 2-2 count.  And he gets all twisted up swinging and missing for strike 3.  1 away.

Andy grounds the 1st pitch to SS, Bonifacio to Cantu.  2 away.

RV looks at a called strike, 0-1.  Misses low, 1-1.  WTH was he swinging at that for?  1-2.  Same spot and he swings again, misses again and retires the side.

@leadoff

Thanks for the info

Those aren't really hot-tubs with hot water in the stadium, are they?  That makes no sense in FL, where it's already hot and steamy...

One of those days that makes you REAL PROUD to be a Pirates fan ... am I sounding bitter? I think it's starting to sink in that I might have projected the wrong record at 86-76 (or whatever it was, JAL)

You know the picth count of how many balls and strikes are thrown.  I would like to see them add a column for how many balls were swung at/missed that became strikes.  So you have Called Strikes ? Balls ? and balls swung on ?   I know I know too subjective to add that catagory.

CAntul takes a called strike, 0-1.  Grounded to 3rd, Andy to Adam.  1 away.

Hermida takes a called strike, 0-1.  Misses upstairs, 1-1.  Misses, 2-1.  Misses outside, 3-1.  Fly ball to CF...AMac chases and makes the catch for the out.  2 away.

Ross takes outside, 1-0.  Fly ball to CF.  AMac makes the catch and that ends the 7th.

Still 5-0 Bad Guys.  

The Bucs look bad today, but Nolasco has been a big part of that.  his slider is absolutely flithy today.

Bay

Yeppers--you predicted 86-76

Jaramillo has a 2-1 count.  Takes outside, 3-1.  And he draws the leadoff walk.  

Pearce will PH for Jackson.  He takes a pitch that's a called strike on the outside, 0-1.  Misses outside, 1-1.  Takes strike 2 on the outside of the plate, 1-2.  WAY outside, 2-2.  And he swings and misses, 1 away.

Neverett just said that they want Pearce to fill the role Monroe had coming off the bench...yeah, that worked out well.  ;-)

AMac takes a called strike, 0-1.  Inside, 1-1.  Catches the outside corner, 1-2.  Grounded to 3rd, throw to 2nd, for one, relay to 1st does get AMac for the DP.  THat's all for the Pirates in the 8th.

There are only 2 Pirates that haven't struck out at all today...Andy and Jaramillo.

Mad

Through 8 the Pirates have and swung and missed at 16 pitches.

Karstens on the hill now.

Count is 0-1 to  Baker.  Takes another called strike, 0-2.  High, 1-2.  Fly ball to RF.  Moss comes in and makes the catch.  1 away.

Helms takes a called strike, 0-1.  Upstairs, over Jaramillo's glove and to the backstop, 1-1 count.  Grounded to 3rd, Andy makes the long throw to Adam.  2 away.

Gload will PH for Nolasco.  He fouls the first pitch off, 0-1.  Inside, 1-1.  Soft grounded to RV, throw to Adam JUST gets Gload at 1st.  

AFter 8, 5-0 Fish

This showing is just AWFUL, Season spiraling outta control quick, This will bring us to 8 games under 500 and to the average fan watching the Pirates today for the first time, they are really playing like there record...

Something about JONES I really like....His Bat I guess :)

looks it would not have mattered if ohlies had pitched better--3 hits ugh

Leo Nunez pitching for Florida.

Jack leads off and takes inside, ball 1.  Takes and it catches the outside of the plate, 1-1.  Fly ball to LF...Coghlan makes the catch.  1 away.

Moss takes outside, 1-0.  Misses again, 2-0.  Misses again, 3-0.  And he takes ball 4.  

Adam takes a strike on the outside corner, 0-1.  In the dirt, gets away from Baker and Moss moves to 2nd.  Popped to shallow L-CF.  Bonifacio makes the catch.  2 away.

Jones takes a strike on the outside, 0-1.  Swings and misses, 0-2.  Fouled away.  And he swings and misses to end the game.  

Not one "woohoo"-able moment today.  >:(

ants marching==========================================

One of the worst showings of the season. Poor. Some players need to get a reality check. Some quit trying after the 5th inning. Or maybe after they felt the 90 degree weather w FL humidity.

2 of the 3 hits were infield singles.