Pirates vs. Brewers, 8-30-09: Daniel McCutchen coming; Doumit back

Firsties?

                           ROSS HAS HIS JUKE!

It appears DK has put his negativity aside for the time being for some much needed levity.

I'm sure his critics will squeal with delight.

Wonder who we'll see today, Ryan or JJ?

also wonder who will be at ss  

I wonder who will bat cleanup today?

LaRoche or Bixler?

morning links with a lot of good reading available here

community.post-gazette.com/.../morning-links-final-best-worst-lists.aspx

How about Dejan with The Madcap Laughs

Careful

Remember what happened to Syd

Hostage

clean up?

Ohlendorf :)

JAL

Hopefully we'll see the return of Cedeno today. And if not hopefully we'll see the return of Luis Cruz to the starting lineup.

                    OHLIE Ohlie's in free

JOHN VANDER WAL had 24hrs and 94 rbi with a 299 avg in 2000.  That is not a BUST!

NO PIRATE WILL ACCOMPLISH THAT THIS YEAR

DMAC, I hear that idea but like I said also on the last night line,

when Mary lou Retton was asked about taking a day off  and what it did to her she said it takes a week to get back what you lose in a day off.

Good question with the double header tomorrow.

How about Ohlendorf leadsoff, Pearce hits third, and Bixler clean up.

JJ...it wasn't an idea...it's what JR said Bix's role would be.  I think maybe he should have gotten a start earlier than he did, but Cruz didn't get his first start until recently either, after playing everyday in INdy.

Before I forget to mention it, I have to go to Cincinnati on business and will be at the Tuesday night and Wednesday day games.  Any asylum members going?

DMAC, you are correct, sometimes though ideas do not materialize.

i think he was htting well with authority and getting into a few a games off the bat could have been that light switch.

I do not get it with him or Moss as to thier play sequences.

We've gone too Banana Album on the Brewers

Time to go all White Light / White Heat on them

I don't know how there can be a "worst Pirate" list without the inclusion of Chris Stynes (he has just enough ABs to get over the Bell line).  He never had another MLB at bat after the Pitrates released him.

Only on a pirate blog would someone quote Mary Lou Reton.  

Morning mates, good tidings

I say the streak of futility stops today!  We will not go to 21, anyone with me?

"Only on a pirate blog would someone quote Mary Lou Reton."

Or Syd Barrett

I got your back, Bizrow

Nuho,

 Next to Bixler LaRoche does look like a cleanup hitter. I was at a tavern watching last nights game on the Milwaukee channel. The announcers were having a good time with LaRoche being our cleanup hitter. They weren't being nasty just saying how unusual it was for a guy with his stats to be batting there. They are the 2 biggest "homers " out of all the out of town announcers I hear.

  On the topic of announcers I love Bob Walk.  The guy has a ton of baseball knowledge, doesn't take himself too seriously, and is refreshingly candid. Wehner has knowledge but without the humor and sometimes sounds like English is not his mother tongue. Blass needs his Alzheimers medication, he is obviously being rewarded for his prior contribution as a player.

  Considering that they removed Ryan in the middle of a game the night before they should have waved Bixler halfway through his last at bat last night. With a 2 strike count Neil should have come out of the dugout conceded the strikeout demanded the uniform back and given him a plane ticket home.  

@Triple G -

Have you been to Great American Ballpark before?  We went a couple of years ago.  We sat surrounded by Reds fans who were also lamenting the demise of their once proud franchise.

If you've never been there before, make sure you leave time to go through the Reds Hall of Fame, which is attached to the stadium.  They've made it so you can go through even if you're not going to the ballgame.  Whoever designed it did a nice job - it's a Cooperstown like exhibit and feel.

Having said that, Great American Ballpark, is kind of a big, tacky steamboat.  They took the steamboat theme and ran roughshod with it.  It makes you appreciate PNC Park.  

We went for a weekend series, which included Friday night fireworks.  I'm not sure where they shoot the fireworks from, but they clear out the outfield seats.

Anyway, the whole place was filled with smoke from the fireworks.  Two guys jump out of the stands and start running across the field, with two cops in hot pursuit.  The thing that got the biggest cheer from the crowd was seeing the two guys get tased and dropped.    

Thanks, Drew

McCutchen coming up?  That means a 40 man move, doesn't it?

So much for DoumitGate...he's back in, and hitting clean-up.

Nu Hos , From the previous thread : though I couldn't agree with you more regarding La Roche's numbers,why are you,or any one else for that matter  so concerned about 3d base ? About June of next season,it won't matter who is playing third base,they will be moved or benched !

MARY LOU IS DUE!

wow- a double RF lineup? doumit back? andy dropped to #7 JR must have stayed up all nite.

actually, aside from typo what I think this morning is our best line-up. until neil gets here...

Out for a bit.

Don't get caught In the wake of Poseidon

Boy, I'd say the Brewers lineup looks pretty punchless today once you get past Fielder and Braun ... then again, I guess that's pretty easy to say when WE HAVEN'T WON A GAME THERE IN 21 TRIES ... HOSH-A-MOSEY!!

And our lineup ... well, there's some punch for you. :-)

Don't know that we have anyone that would be eligible for the 60 day DL...so it looks like someone will be coming off the 40 man...designated for assignment. My 1st guesses...Bootcheck or Bixler.

@triple G-

did undergrad at u cincinnati. downtown is in a basin surrounded by hills. if the game leaves you time, the best place to see the 'nati is from mt. adams- kind of a mini mt. washington. 19th c. historic district with lots of bars on the hilltop and hillsides with great views into the basin. germans settled the hillsides and irish the top [might have that reversed]. stay away from the kentucky side though.

From the previous thread, I hope that Danny Murtaugh gets the necessary votes to gain enshrinement in the Hall of Fame.  His two World Series Championships came at the expense of Managers (Casey Stengel and Earl Weaver) who are in the Hall.  As Bob Prince said after Game 7 in Baltimore when interviewing Murtaugh, "In 1960 you performed the impossible and you did it again here in 1971."  

I wonder what the conversation on the blog will be like after Neil Walker comes up for two weeks and is hitting .190 and striking out 2/3rds of his at-bats. I guess much like Bixler, his career will be considered over.

WAKE-

Are you implying that Bixler has the talent for a major league career?

Dejan...I assume that Jones is at 1B...and that we aren't starting 2 RF today.

Fat Jimmy,   A world class athlete who went on and on about

told me to remember it for just the right day.

truth of it is though thirty years ago I use to play racquetteball every day and I took a day I did not play the same and so her remarks hit home and stayed with me.

Her remarks translated to racquetteball for me and it does take the same eye hand to hit a racquwtteball traveling 100mph's.

Playing any sport with a ball moving in the mid to high ninties is a time in life you do not sit around and think about it.  its reaction time and when the ball leaves the other guys racquette you need to already know where it is going to be when it is high ankle high.

A baseball is harder to hit. I think her observation is accurate to understand atrophy.

BIxler really knows how to disappoint! Here I was saying I'd like to see him get a start to see if his nerves could be calmed and he just goes out and tanks in the hugest way.

He did one thing good, though, in preventing Pearce's error on the would be double play.

I'm baffled by the routine infield plays that were muffed. That's the 2nd time Pearce has muffed that exact DP throw. Last time he threw it into left field.

DY - what can you say - I've got faith he'll improve on that problem play he's been having, but not a good time to let it happen.

Bixler - Yikes! Not only did he muff that routine grounder, but many many of his throws were low. Pearce had to catch half of them knee high.

Jaramillo - was 90% at fault for allowing the wild pitch that scored a run. It was a borderline passed ball.

Overall, Hart had his usual problem of pitching from behind, but when he was able to throw strikes, they generally hit him weakly. This is why think he can be a good pitcher if he can just learn better control.

He really deserved much better. When the defense turns 4 routine plays in to misplays for FIVE runs, you aren't going to win those games.

Jersey Joe-

Well, sad to say, but you can play Brian Bixler every day and you're not going to get much on the major league level. It's painfully clear that his talent is maxed-out at AAA.  Does he have the talent to be just a middling-to-average major league player? No.

And no amount of chances, opportunities to play or extended looks is going to change that. He's had plenty of chances to showcase his talent but it translates into way too much of two things: strikeouts and errors on easy ground balls. He's a nice player....for an American Legion team.

I'd like to see him do well, but the talent level is just not there.

@naje,

I'm saying Neil Walker might not have the talent of a major leaguer.  He struggles at the minor league level every year, why would be do better against tougher pitching?  But I guess Dave Littlefield's track record for drafting successful major league stars speaks for itself, so Walker's struggles should be ignored and be expected to be brought up and succeed.

A very encouraging thing is how Lastings has really turned it on the last 11 games:

Milledge prev 11 games: .359 / .405 / .564 / .969

Really good to see! Hopefully, I will be proved wrong on him!

With a 2 strike count Neil should have come out of the dugout conceded the strikeout demanded the uniform back and given him a plane ticket home.  

======================================================

@ giveneiltime

When I read the above statement, I pictured that happening and then burst out laughing.  Thank you for that.

@ markindallas

Lastings has also looked much Much MUch MUCh MUCH improved in the OF.  I guess that work with Varsho is paying off.

I have two ?s for everyone that says that Andy can't be the PBCs everyday 3Bman b/c he doesn't have enough power....

1. Did his shot last nite convince you that he does have power (that thing was a BOMB)?

2. If he hits 6 in September (and ends with 13 for the season), would that change your opinion?

Yesssssssssssssssss!!!! Pumped to see Dan Mac on the way!!!!

Wake...

Walker isn't particularly struggling. Since May 1 (if everybody allowed LaRoche a bad April, why not Walker)...Walker's numbers  .286/,341/.511. Why let facts get in the way of a good grudge? In August...he's got an OPS of 1.003 and averaging over an RBI a game (29 in 27 games).

BTW...superstar Jones at Indy...OBP was .348 and SLG .502...just about the same as Walker since May 1.

I don't doubt that Andy LaRoche has power. I just doubt he can connect on a ball like he did last night more than twice a month. 12 dingers for your third baseman is just not enough. If he could only put his bat squarely on that white spherical object with the red stitching a little more often, then we'd all be singing his praises. Will it take another offseason and Spring Training for him to master major league pitching and showcase that power...? That's the question for this blog.

This from wakerider429 before last night's game.

This the look of a 1 or 2 hit shutout for the Brewers.  The only suspense being the Pirates waiting until the 5th or 6th inning to break up the no-hitter.  Gallardo has already schooled us once this season.  I think the Pirates used up all their offense last night playing come from behind.  I doubt they have much power or will to do any sort of hitting tonight.

Also

I think the FO should hold off on bringing up Neil Walker until he spends a whole season in AAA hitting 25-30 home runs a season or batting .290 or better and driving in runs.  

My question ;How many players have played a full year for Indy and hit25-30 home runs a season or batting .290 or better and driving in runs?No one on the roster!Of course this coming from the blogger who said "people don't like me because I'm right all the time haha".

naje

That might be the case with LaRoche, but if by say mid-June next year hes not hitting and Pedro is tearing up AAA what do you do?

With respect to AL, we need players who are consistent power wise throughout the entire year.  Hitting 6 homeruns in the last month to nearly double your total for the entire season probably does not qualify as the type of consistency that the Pirates want to see from a power position like third base.  

We will see.  Aside from short streaks, Neil Walker has done nothing.  I'd say he is a little ahead in talent of Bixler, but behind Steve Pearce.  I can't see him ever hitting over .200 in the majors.  

Who wants to know what makes Walker different from Bixler, Pearce, Jones and other players everyone wants to give up on so soon?  Because he is a local guy everyone's heard of.  This is the typical reasoning from Pirates fans.

The Pirates were shut down by Gallardo all but one inning.  And the Pirates still lost.  They saved themselves from getting shut out, and that's about it.

naje wrote re:    you are probably right but i would have liked to see just one time him come and play and then we would know for sure he should not stay.

Then there would be no what ifs any more.

Wake...they didn't necessarily lose that game on offense either though.  The defense made some very costly errors.

Rhino's back! Should be interesting ... Alright a win or a brawl, one or the other ... I don't want to head into 2010 without one or the other after the last game at Meelar Park this year.

12 game hitting streak for Cutch.

The roof is open in Milwaukee.  

First pitch to AMac misses, ball 1.  Fouls the next one off, 1-1.  Misses inside, 2-1.  Grounded foul, 2-2.  Ripped to LF for a leadoff single.  SWEET!

DY steps in, they throw to 1st.  Throw to 1st again.  First pitch is a strike on the outside, 0-1.  Fouled away, 0-2.  Up and in, 1-2.  Grounded to 2nd...Lopez to Counsell for 1, back to Fielder for the DP.  

Jones takes a strike at the knees, 0-1.  Misses, 1-1 count.  Misses inside, 2-1.  Misses low and away, 3-1.  Swings and misses, 3-2.  Misses down and inside for the walk.

Ryan looks at a called strike 1.  In the dirt, 1-1.  Misses in the dirt again, 2-1.  Pops it to shallow LF...Counsell goes back and makes the catch on the LF grass.  Side retired.

Cuth has got start using his speed to steal bases to stay out DPs.

I like our chances MUCH better if McCutchen is standing on second base by the second pitch to Young ... It's basic Little League baseball. Is it not a principle that carries over to the big leagues ... IF A GUY HAS WORLD CLASS SPEED, HE WILL BE ON SECOND BASE! Caps  off, rant over ...

Reading-Walker missed almost 6 weeks w/injuries.Before someone erroneously says he is injury prone(I've already read this)....he played 133 and 139 games in the previous 2 years.In 349 ABs Walker has 14 HRs and 69 RBI.A little more than half a season.So if you double that.......(I know there is no guarantee he'll double it).I'm just saying the potential is there.To use Bix as a model is crazy.How many times will someone strikeout 23 of times?At least have thimble full of hope.Sheesh!  

Bay

Same thought about same time

Bay, do you see Kendell throwing the Clutch out?  hard to see that

Lopez takes strike 1.  Misses low, 1-1.  Fouled away, 1-2.  Just misses inside, 2-2.  Fly ball to CF...AMac makes the catch.  1 away.

Counsell shows bunt but takes ball 1.  Catches the outside of the plate, 1-1.  Strike at the letters, 1-2.  In the dirt, 2-2.  Fouled away.  Fouled away again.  Fly ball to RF.  Moss gets there and makes the catch.  2 away.

0-1 to Braun.  Fouled away, 0-2.  Check-swing...didn't mean to but he went for strike 3.  He he he   side retired.

No score after 1.  

Bay, as I was going to one room from another i was thinking just that why did he not get over there?

the dreaded runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs

i am thinking it is time for Andy to take 200 swings a day until he can hit a fly ball to the deep outfield

I just do not understand ohlie swionging to hit a ground ball how many hits does he have?

Milledge leads off the 2nd.  He takes a strike on the outside, 0-1.  Misses away, 1-1.  Fouled off to the right, 1-2.  Fouled away.  Fouled away again.  Grounded to the left side and through for the leadoff single.

Moss fouls the first pitch away, 0-1.  Pitch in the dirt, 1-1.  Throw to 1st.  Misses outside, 2-1.  Fouled away, 2-2.  Throw to 1st.  WTH?  Is Fielder trying to shove Milledge off the bag for the out?  Moss lines the next one into the R-CF gap and he's in at 2nd with a double.  Milledge holds at 3rd.  SWEET!

Andy pops the first pitch up behind the plate...Kendall makes the catch.  1 away.  Crap.

And they're going to walk Cedeno to load the bases for Ohlie.

Ohlie fouls the first pitch away, 0-1.  Swings and misses, 0-2.  FOuled away.  Misses low and away, 1-2.  Chopped toward the middle...Counsell fields, steps on the 2B bag for one, throws to Fielder for the DP.  Side retired. Dammit.

Ollie hits into a double play - never saw that coming. Why didn't they just tell him to go up and strike out - keep the bat on his shoulder - let Andrew come up with the bases loaded. I don't get it, JR.

Surely to the Lord up above, you would think they would have told Dorf, DO NOT SWING AT THE BALL ...

Ugh...Ollie, did you really have to make contact there?

Knew it--they should always send the runner for 3rd because that seems the only way to score.

Bix wouldn't have hit into that DP.  :-)

They're going to need a Randall Simon-piloted tug boat to pull Prince around the bases by next year ... Did y'all see how much weight he's gained since last night? Like a float in the Macy's Parade.

John Russel should be fired immediately for that bone head decision to have Ohlie swing the bat.

How many of us saw that coming? I'm going to bet 100%! How can the manager not figure that the hottest hitter on the club has a better chance of getting a hit than the slowest and lightest hitting pitcher on the team has a chance of GDIP?

That is crazy!

DK - please begin the INQUISTION! Inquiring minds want to try to understand the mind of an imbecile!

Fielder fouls the first pitch away, 0-1.  Fly ball to CF...not deep enough though as AMac is there to make the catch.  1 away.

McGehee takes a strike on the inside, 0-1.  Misses outside, 1-1.  Crap...He hits the next one into the LF corner and it's just fair and gone.  

Gerut takes strike 1.  Popped up...Cedeno makes the catch on the OF grass.  2 away.

1-0 count to the president of the Kerwin fan club.  1-1 count..  Fly ball to RF...Moss goes over and makes the catch in foul ground to retire the side.

AFter 2, Brewers take the lead, 1-0.

Something about the way the ball comes out of our hands on Sundays ... not much downward plane!

Maz

I did not post anything about Walker.

 Maz, I am with you on Walker, he has no had a major league shot yet and we have a complete zero there offensively now so what risk is there in giving him a shot. I am just watching Andy LaRoche up with runners on second and third no outs and swing at the first pitch with the infield back and foul out to the catcher. Can't even put the ball in play when they are CONCEDING a run. He has got to sit.

FIRE JR! FIRE JR! FIRE JR!!!!!

IDIOT! IDIOT!

God, I have been thinking - OK, patience, patience with JR.

But seriously. IDIOT. I - D - I - O - T.

Reading- Sorry about that.My bad.

AMac leads off the 3rd for the Bucs.  He takes ball 1.  The shadows are creeping over the field.  Grounded to the right side, Lopez fields and throws to Fielder.  1 away.

DY takes high, ball 1.  Looks at a called strike, 1-1.  Misses low, 2-1.  In the dirt, 3-1.  Fouled off and out of play to the left side, 3-2.  Fouled off.  Pulled foul again.  Grounded to 2nd, Lopez to Fielder.  2 away.

Jones fouls the first pitch away, 0-1.  WOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO!  CRUSHED TO RF INTO THE 2ND LEVEL!  Tie game!

 For all this talk about how great our coaching staff is what is the rationale for Don Long not to be walking the plank? Cutch could already hit before arriving, Jones was tearing it up in AAA, Dy could always hit the glove was the question. Do we really think he has done wonders for Andy or Moss the year since they have been here? What about Ryan? I think Mr. Long needs a little scrutiny.  

Ryan takes strike 1.  Swings and misses, 0-2.  Swings and misses, strike 3.  That retires the side.

But Jones ties the game on a Monster HR!

2-1 count to Catalanotto.  Grounded back up the middle and into CF for a single.

Suppan bunts foul to the right side, 0-1.  Takes high, ball 1...1-1 count.  Bunted back to Ohlie...Ohlie to Cedeno for 1, relay DY covering the bag at 1st for the DP.  2 away.

Lopez swings and misses, 0-1.  Misses outside, 1-1.  Swings and misses, 1-2.  Misses upstairs, 2-2.  Misses away, 3-2.  Swings and misses, strike 3.  Side retired.

At the end of 3, 1-1.  

giveneil - Long gets at least another year.  Fixed Bay, Nady, Doumit (last year at least), and Andy's not great, but a ton better than when he got here.  Last year people spoke of Long like they do Kerrigan now.

1-1 count to Milledge.  Takes inside, 2-1.  Grounds a single through to LF.

Moss takes ball 1.  Fouled away, 1-1.  Strike inside, 1-2...maybe check-swing.  Misses away, 2-2.  Fly ball to R-CF...Gerut gets there to make the catch.  Milledge holds at 1st.  1 away.

Andy...who has shaved the 'stache thank God!...steps in.  They throw to 1st.  Throw to 1st again.  First pitch to Andy catches the inside corner, 0-1.  Grounded to 3rd...McGehee fields and throws to 1st to get Andy.  Milledge moves to 2nd. 2 away.

Cedeno is getting walked again.  

Ohlie swings and misses, 0-1.  Throw to 2nd, Milledge gets back.  Grounded to the left side...It's deep in the hole. Counsell makes the stop, but there's no play...all hands safe! SWEET!

Bases loaded, 2 away.

AMac grounds to the right side, Lopez to Fielder to retire the side.

Long also supposedly made the adjustments to Jones swing which has made him so successful.

Every now and then i have to post a who said it first and it was WSB  who was first on Blastings launch pad.

Stanley, he is showing what you said.  They change his diet over the off season and turn his soft body into something better and faster and this kid, watch out.

And Big Daddy comes to the plate ...

Counsell leads off and hits the first pitch to LF...Milledge makes the catch.  1 away.

Braun sends the next one to LF...Milledge gets there and makes that play.  2 away.

Fielder swings and misses, 0-1.  In the dirt, 1-1.  Misses high, 2-1.  Swings and misses, 2-2.  Fouled away.  SWINGS and misses, strike 3.  Side retired.

Still even at 1, as they go to the 5th.

Thurman is gone and Bench is old, I am sending the clutch.

Suppan doesn't get out of the 5th in one piece, the streak stops NOW!!!

see, that time Ohlie got on and Cutch failed--you never know with baseball.

DY leads off and takes ball 1.  Roped into the RF corner, but apparently it's foul, dammit.  1-1 count.  Fouled straight back.  1-2.  Reaches out and taps it to 2nd, Lopez to Fielder.  1 away.

Jones takes low, ball 1.  Misses low and away, 2-0.  Bounced to the plate, 3-0.  Swings and misse...why he was swinging no clue,...3-1 count.  Lined to CF for a single!  

Ryan steps in...they throw to 1st.  First pitch to Ryan is outside, 1-0.  Catches the outside corner, 1-1.  Catches the corner again, 1-2.  Grounded to the left side....Counsell makes a nice play to keep it from going into LF...Throw to Lopez for 1, relay to Fielder for the DP.  Side retired.

5 innings  7 hits 3 walks 1 run--dreadful execution.

DK, what do you do to keep you occupied during a boring game like this one?

JAL - true. You never know. But you can play the percentages, which say there's a VERY good chance that Ohlie hits a ground ball on the infield if he makes contact. You can't be SURE Cutch would get a hit and drive in a run, but you can be SURE he would have a better chance.

The GIDP is killing us today.

Lets Golf Bucs....Where Losing = Winning

whos calling the pitches

Anyone watching this on TV, please clarify - On Gameday, ball 1 looked to be well into the strike zone, ball 3 was on the upper edge.  Bad calls?  Gameday makes that first ball looked like an exceptionally horredous call.

After that bases loaded walk to a pitcher on the take, DK, how about this for a headline:

CULTURE OF LOSING STILL REIGNS

man oh man pitcher up is not swinging and you are nit picking with breaking balls off the plate just he plain dumbest pitch selection of the year.

Just to give you an idea of the RIDICULOUS percentages JR was playing on the Ohlie DP...

Before today, Ohlie had 29 PAs where he has hit the ball. On 25 of those, he hit a ground ball on the infield, and on only 3 of those ground balls, he got a hit. BTW, The other 4 times he hit balls that were outs.

So, if he didn't strike out, there was about a 5% chance he would hit a fly ball to score a run, and a 10% chance he would get a hit, and an 85% chance for a GDIP.

So this is why it was absolutely STUPID to expect Ohlie would do anything else except hit a GDIP in that situation.

there you go, out coached today.

Mark, just plain no baseball sense

 This team is not only lacking in talent but the fundamentals are lacking and they play less than intelligent baseball.  

Ball 1 to McGehee.  In there, strike 1...1-1 count.  Just misses, 2-1.  Strike at the knees, 2-2.  Fouled away.  Misses, 3-2.  Fouled away.  He was jammed and it's popped up on the INF but it drops in for a single.  

Gerut swings and misses, 0-1.  Fly ball to LF...Milledge makes the catch for the out, McGehee holds at 1st.  1 away.

Kendall takes a called strike, 0-1.  In the dirt and blocked by Ryan.  1-1 count.  Lined down the 3B  line and it's fair past a diving Andy into the corner.  Kendall is in with a double and McGehee pulls up at 3rd.  

They are going to walk Catalanotto.

Suppan takes a called strike, 0-1.  Misses away, 1-1.  Misses, 2-1.  Cedeno goes out to talk to Ohlie.  Next pitch is a strike on the outside corner, 2-2.  Just misses, 3-2.  And it's inside for ball 4.  McGehee scores.  

Kerrigan out to the mound.  

Lopez takes a strike on the outside of the plate, 0-1.  Swings and misses, 0-2.  In the dirt, Ryan blocks it, 1-2 count.  He looks at strike 3 on the outside corner.  2 away.

Counsell takes a called strike, 0-1.  Pulled foul, 0-2.  Misses low, 1-2.  Just misses inside, 2-2.  He sends it into LF for a single.  Kendall scores, Catalanotto scores, Suppan holds at 2nd.  Dammit.

Braun takes ball 1.  Fouled back, 1-1.  Fouled off, 1-2.  Fouled away.  Fly ball to CF...AMac makes the catch to end the inning.

But they put a 3-spot up and lead 4-1 now.  

Man oh man agian, the manager is suppose to try and keep us in the game, this has just been one big mistake after another.

Another defensive miscue leads to 3 runs for the Brewers. We're just handing them a stick to beat us with.

I've had enough bad baseball for today. I'll see you guys later.

They're getting the calls and the breaks today, that's for sure.

Milledge takes ball 1.  Strike on the inside, 1-1.  Fouled off to the right side, 1-2.  Smoked through McGehee for a single.  Corrected...they score it as an error to McGehee.

Moss grounds to the right side...Fielder to Counsell covering 2nd, relay back to Suppon at 1st.  DP.  Dammit.  2 away.

Andy takes ball 1.  Swings and misses, 1-1.  Fly ball to R-CF...Catalanotto runs it down and makes the catch for the 3rd out.

there has been one bright spot today,  Blastings

www.youtube.com/watch

@jersy joe-

I will stand in acusation of JR's complicity in this one should it keep going downhill to an L. some awful decisions off the bench today. all this swinging away into DPs is a chronic problem, not just individuals. suppan sucks- shoulda woulda if we only coulda.

4 great innings by ollie before a dreadful 5th, but dry well with RISP strikes again. our own worst enemy.

Omg...they have mini-sausages today.    A Sr. to Jr. sausage relay.

1-0 to Fielder.  Grounded to 3rd, Andy to Jones.  1 away.

McGehee takes ball 1.  Takes a strike at the knees, 1-1.  Takes strike 2...1-2 count.   In the dirt, 2-2 count.  Swings and misses, strike 3.  2 away.

Gerut takes a strike on the outside, 0-1.  Misses up and away, 1-1.  Fouled back, out of play over the Pirates dugout.  1-2 count.  In the dirt, 2-2 count.   And he looks at a called strike 3.  Side retired.

At the end of 6, 4-1 Bad Guys.

Loss # 21 appears to be inevitable.  JR making none of the right moves or if he does make the right move it backfires.  Every move by Macha, whether conventional or unconventional, succeeds.  Either JR is being outclassed manager wise by Macha or Macha is lucky.

They changed the ruling on the McGhee error, Milledge is now 3-3.

reading

Today Macha has been lucky.

walking anyone never good but the pitcher even worse than others

David Weathers pitching for the Brewers.

Cedeno will lead off for the Bucs.  First pitch misses, 1-0.  Takes a called strike, 1-1.  Misses away, 2-1.  Misses and the count goes to 3-1.  Swings and misses, 3-2.  Fouled away.  Fouled away again.  Swings and misses, strike 3.  1 away.

They reversed the error on McGehee and credited Milledge with a single.  

Vazquez will PH for Ohlie.  He takes outside, ball 1.  Fly ball to CF...Gerut comes in and makes the catch.  2 away.

Amac takes ball 1.  Fouled away, 1-1.  Fouled away again, 1-2.  Somehow the next one is a called strike 3 on the outside.   That retires the side.

Why is Bootcheck still in the majors?

marty

Because so many pitchers are on the DL they are scraping the bottom of the 40 man roster

WOW--Amac doesn't steal in the 1st and Kendall steals 2nd and 3rd

Macha and the Brewers have been lucky.  Us...not so much.

Bootcheck is now on the hill.

Kendall takes ball 1.  Misses down and in, 2-0.  C'mon!  Is the ump from Milwaukee or something?  Misses away, 3-0.  Just catches the inside, 3-1.  Fouled away, 3-2.  Misses inside, ball 4.

Catalanotto takes a strike on the inside, 0-1.  Fouled away, 0-2.  *sigh*  Runner goes...Kendall got a huge jump and he beats the throw.  The pitch was in the dirt, 1-2 to Catalanotto.  Crap.  Takes inside, 2-2.  Swings and misses, strike 3.  1 away.

Bourgeois is PH-ing for Weathers.  He takes a called strike, 0-1.  Misses, 1-1.  Kendall takes off again...no throw to 3rd. Ryan couldn't get a grip on the ball, double-clutching it and Kendall is safe.  1-2 to Bourgeois.  Pitch in the dirt, 2-2.  Infield is in and the next one is fouled back.  Swings, misses, strike, 3.  2 away.

Lopez swings and misses, 0-1.  Catches the outside corner, 0-2.  Roller to 2nd...DY fields and throws to Jones for the out.  Side retired.

Still 4-1 after 7.

So we do not run on an old man and we allow him to steal two bases  geez

Need to make some headway into that 3 run Brewer lead here, before it becomes Hells Bells time.

ok- end of the 7th quiz time:

ken-doll walking and then 'stealing'  second and third in the bottom of the 7th means:

a. this washed up sad sack of a player is in our heads

b. he has unusual lightning speed today.

c. no one [ie JR and coach] paying attention to base coverage; ie 'manager indifference'

d. no communication from doumit to bootcheck

e. everyone was over this game by then.

Stetter will pitch the 8th.

DY leads off and takes strike 1, now batting from the right side.  Popped up on the INF...Fielder nearly bowls Stetter over as he's charging to make the catch...but Stetter makes the catch for the out.  1 away.  

Jones takes inside, ball 1.  Swings and misses, 1-1.  Misses, 2-1.  Swings and misses, 2-2.  Misses, 3-2.  He takes ball 4 for the walk.

Ryan steps in.  Macha comes out and Stetter's day is done.  

pitcher change john says macha does not look happey after a bad 3-2 pitch and we walk a non swinging pitcher to go behind and everyone stays in the game

JR, today you have been outcoached  please pay attention

pi-rat

I'm gonna go with B. ;)

Pi-rat...I'd say option C and possible D.

Claudio Vargas is now pitching.

Ryan takes ball 1. Fouled away, 1-1.  Misses away, 2-1.  Swings and misses, 2-2.  Fouled away.  Fly ball to RF...Right at Catalanotto.  2 away.

Milledge takes down and away, 1-0.  Misses outside, 2-0.  Fouled away, 2-1.  Popped up in back of the plate, 2-2.  Fouled away again.  Popped up and Fielder makes the catch by the Brewers' dugout for the 3rd out.  Dammit.

I long for the future :-(

Me too Bay, me too.

Pi-rat

I join Dmac with C and maybe D

Another inept performance - no point in waiting for the final score - today's loss is already added to the graph

Counsell checks his swings and takes ball 1.  Fly ball to RF...Moss makes the catch.  1 away.

Braun takes ball 1.  Misses inside, 2-0.  Just misses, 3-0.  Strike on the inside, 3-1 count.  Fouled away, 3-2.  Popped up...Jones calls Ryan off to make the catch.  2 away.

Fielder shows bunt but takes, ball 1.  Misses, 2-0.  Catches the inside corner, 2-1.  Misses away, 3-1.  Strike on the inside corner, 3-2.  Fouled away.  Grounded to 3rd.  Andy to Jones.  Side retired.

We go to the 9th, 4-1 Brewers.

BATTING CORNER WITH BAYWATCH

Right now, it looks like Doumit can't hit anything on the outside part of the plate ... either that or he's trying to pull outside pitches, too much ... maybe if he went with the pitch.

Really out of sorts. He hit that last one pretty good, but still looked like he tried to pull it too much.

Bootcheck pitched fine.  This game was lost when 7 hiots and 3 walks in the first 5 innings only produced 1 run, and that a solo HR--so 6 hits and 3 walks produced no runs.

Very nice day for Moss, with the exception of the double play.

Moss has batted well today.

Hoffman on to pitch the 9th.

Moss will leadoff.  He drills the first pitch to RF...it stays in play but he's in at 2nd with a leadoff double!  

Andy takes strike 1.  Fouled away down the 3B line, 0-2.  Fouled off to the right.  Just gets a piece of it to stay alive, still 0-2.  Popped up to RF...Catalanotto makes the catch for the  out.  Moss holds at 2nd.  1 away.

Cedeno takes high, ball 1.  Fouled away, 1-1.  Skied to shallow LF...Braun makes the catch.  2 away.

And Pearce is our last hope.  He takes ball 1.  Fly ball to LF...Braun makes the catch for the final out.

and the ants may march================================

bucs:9 hits=1 run

brew screws: 5 hits=4 runs

outscored; outmanaged