Pittsburgh Pirates @ Los Angeles Dodgers GameThread, Apr 15, 2008 10:10 PM EDT

Pirates vs. Dodgers, 15 April 2008

by Charlie on Apr 15, 2008 7:58 PM EDT Comment 134 comments

Pittsburgh Pirates @ Los Angeles Dodgers

10:10, Matt Morris and Hong-Chih Kuo.

Be sure to check out DToddwin's excellent writeup about the bullpen. You may have missed it because a couple of stories ended up on top of it almost immediately.

...Oh, for pete's sake. Just look at this lineup.

CF McLouth
SS Rivas
2B Sanchez
LF Bay
RF Nady
C Paulino
3B Bautista
1B Gomez
P Morris

I know both LaRoche and Mientkiewicz are lefties, but come on.

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tonight's game

Baseball’s longest winning streak on the line.

by bolton on Apr 15, 2008 9:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow

I know Nady has been hitting well, but if Pearce was our right fielder and X-man was a bench bat, the lineup tonight would look better.

by DITO on Apr 15, 2008 9:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hmmm

If Morgan was in there instead of Nate, that lineup would be about the worse one you could put together from this team. Maybe Russell is trying to make sure Morri$ is gone by mid-season.

by WTM on Apr 15, 2008 9:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Don't jinx it!

It could get worse with Rivas at 2B and Bambi at SS. Let’s hope Freddie doesn’t need time off til Jack’s back. I didn’t think I’d ever type that.

by hisjazziness on Apr 15, 2008 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

MLB.tv Mosaic

I just downloaded it, and I’ve gotta say, its pretty sweet.

by hisjazziness on Apr 15, 2008 9:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What's worse

Rivas batting second or your first baseman batting eighth? I don’t think that’s happened since I was playing there in Little League!

by TPenaRules on Apr 15, 2008 9:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Gomez at 1st?

What Doumit’s not available?

by Bad Andy on Apr 15, 2008 9:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

OK, how about thinking outside the box?

The Dodgers have one lefty in the pen—Beimel. So why not load up on righties? Why save Gomez? For what? Late innings against Broxton or Saito?

Only problem is Kuo isn’t any better against lefties. In fact, lefties hit him better.

But still, Gomez’s best chance to succeed is against Kuo, and it’s likely LaRoche and ManCaveItch would fare better against LA’s bullpen righties.

All the Pirates have to do is keep it close, and with Morris on the…

Shit.

by azibuck on Apr 15, 2008 10:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You have a point. When I checked the splits, Gomez, LaRoche and Mientkiewicz have almost identical OPSes the last three years against lefties. I’d start LaRoche, given that he’s the only one likely to be with the Pirates next year, but that’s just me.

by Charlie on Apr 15, 2008 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

14 game Hitting streak

Tear it up Nate!

by Bad Andy on Apr 15, 2008 10:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

So, if we are being more aggressive, then why didn't Nate try for 2nd there?

That wouldn’t have been out of the question…except he probably would have been thrown out.

by hisjazziness on Apr 15, 2008 10:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hit and run couldn't hurt

by Bad Andy on Apr 15, 2008 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did anyone else hear Scully refer to the Bucs as the "black and orange"?

by hisjazziness on Apr 15, 2008 10:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bases loaded. This may be a game where we try to lose, and fail.

by Charlie on Apr 15, 2008 10:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sarcastic applause for Kuo on the strike.

by Charlie on Apr 15, 2008 10:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

so using our org strategy

do we trade Nate if offered prospects?

Is considered the future or the moveable?

And if he IS moved, how do we feel about it?

by PureTekulve on Apr 15, 2008 10:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Honestly, I wouldn’t say McCutchen is automatic at this point.

by Charlie on Apr 15, 2008 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nate is left handed

That alone is reason enough for him to remain a Bucco for years to come

by Bad Andy on Apr 15, 2008 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If our org strategy really includes building to suit PNC, no

Nate’s a pull hitter, much more suited to PNC than say, LaRoche. And he’s too good and young to trade.

by azibuck on Apr 15, 2008 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

so you guys

say NO, he’s pretty much untouchable @ this point?

by PureTekulve on Apr 15, 2008 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If I were a good pitching coach, I’d love to take a shot at figuring Kuo out. He has good stuff and strikeout rates, and he’s a lefty.

by Charlie on Apr 15, 2008 10:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

what was

that Scully was saying about throwing strikes?

by PureTekulve on Apr 15, 2008 10:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice going Joey Bats

GRRRRRRRRRR

by Bad Andy on Apr 15, 2008 10:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

How about BP Chacon tonight?

8 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 5 Ks. All in Citizens Bank Park.

No decision because the ‘pen blew the lead in the 9th, giving up 4 runs to the Phils.

by hisjazziness on Apr 15, 2008 10:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That’s probably the best outing he’ll have all year.

by Charlie on Apr 15, 2008 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

True. But it was still a good outing.

by hisjazziness on Apr 15, 2008 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice catch. Nearly makes up for the bases-loaded strikeout.

by Charlie on Apr 15, 2008 10:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Tough one

I’d say Ryan Howard due to his Ruthian HR power

by Bad Andy on Apr 15, 2008 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sabathia?

by Charlie on Apr 15, 2008 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not so far this year

How about Prince Fielder?

by 19maz60 on Apr 15, 2008 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hanley Ramirez?

by pirateinvirginia on Apr 15, 2008 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I believe he’s Dominican.

by Charlie on Apr 15, 2008 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I dont' think Latin players count

for this question

by 19maz60 on Apr 15, 2008 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My bad. I'll go with Rollins for now.

by pirateinvirginia on Apr 15, 2008 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

By the end of the year

It’ll be one of the Uptons.

by azibuck on Apr 15, 2008 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I withdraw Fielder and submit:

Jimmy Rollins

by 19maz60 on Apr 15, 2008 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

J-Rol, Howard, Brandon Phillips, Granderson, Crawford are some of the names mentioned

by hisjazziness on Apr 15, 2008 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yikes, Kuo is just electric sometimes.

by Charlie on Apr 15, 2008 10:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Whatever happened to the Stats Geek

I haven’t seen a column from him in a while.

by azibuck on Apr 15, 2008 10:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Last week I found myself wondering that too.

by Charlie on Apr 15, 2008 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ugh

by DITO on Apr 15, 2008 10:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

LaRoche would have gotten to that. :)

by Charlie on Apr 15, 2008 10:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You may be joking, but that was a pretty terrible throw.

by hisjazziness on Apr 15, 2008 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree. Nobody would’ve gotten to that. I was totally kidding.

by Charlie on Apr 15, 2008 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lucky for Rivas they can't give an error on a fielder's choice.

by pirateinvirginia on Apr 15, 2008 10:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Already missed a run.

Every time I show up late, some team has scored already.
And I’ve only missed the first inning.

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 15, 2008 10:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice. Nice scoop by Sanchez.

by Charlie on Apr 15, 2008 10:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

6 up, 6 down...implosion still delayed.

by hisjazziness on Apr 15, 2008 10:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

cynicism still present.

by pirateinvirginia on Apr 15, 2008 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

random ex-pirate note

I was looking at minor league stats and noticed that B. Lillibridge is batting .095 at Richmond.

by basmati on Apr 15, 2008 10:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Indy's now 10-3

Very nice! Pearce and Cutch 2 hits tonight!

by Bad Andy on Apr 15, 2008 10:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Right now...

Is Cutch on track to be up here later this season? Or sometime next? Or after that?
Just wondering.

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 15, 2008 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Given his performance, I wouldn’t be in any rush. He may get a September call-up, though.

by Charlie on Apr 15, 2008 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Apparently Rivas had imaginary friend at second base

Until he got busted for drugs (the imaginary friend, not Rivas)

by 19maz60 on Apr 15, 2008 10:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He needs to find

an imaginary friend at shortstop too.
Without the drug problem…

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 15, 2008 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Same stories from Scully last night

by azibuck on Apr 15, 2008 10:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice of him to repeat them

Since I missed them last night

by 19maz60 on Apr 15, 2008 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You can only have so many stories

about a Pirates team that hasn’t had a winning season since the Dinosaur Era, and is pretty much the same team as last year.

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 15, 2008 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Or you could just be quiet and let the game talk

by azibuck on Apr 15, 2008 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Long periods of silence tend to sound akward on the radio.

Co-Author Of The Fourth Most Popular NL West Based Blog On SBN

by Andrew on Apr 15, 2008 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm sure he'll keep that in mind when he's on the radio

And even so, I’d settle for short periods of silence.

by azibuck on Apr 15, 2008 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The first three innings are simulcast.

Co-Author Of The Fourth Most Popular NL West Based Blog On SBN

by Andrew on Apr 15, 2008 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No kidding? Didn't know that

Still, take a breath, Vin.

How come he works alone?

by azibuck on Apr 15, 2008 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s how he’s always done it.

Co-Author Of The Fourth Most Popular NL West Based Blog On SBN

by Andrew on Apr 15, 2008 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's like

3-up 3-down.
If he didn’t say anything, the fans would get bored and leave (not saying they aren’t anyways).

And no one wants to here stories about the Dodgers. I mean, what’s he gonna talk about?
How Andruw Jones ripped off the Dodgers? Or Juan Pierre? Or how Joe Torre isn’t playing the talented youngsters?

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 15, 2008 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh yeah...

9 up, 9 down…implosion delayed again.

by hisjazziness on Apr 15, 2008 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

looks like

johnny russell is mixing up his starting lineup…i like this guy

You're a Pirates fan?

by thegetupkids on Apr 15, 2008 11:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

what does ronny paulino look like in the game

on gameday in his face shot he has something remiscent of a soul patch…he looks completely different from last year

You're a Pirates fan?

by thegetupkids on Apr 15, 2008 11:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Let the implosion begin

over/under on how many runs Morris will give up in the 4th?

I’d say 5

by Bad Andy on Apr 15, 2008 11:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

better question

is:

How
many will it take for Morris$ to get sent to the retired players club in the sky?

by PureTekulve on Apr 15, 2008 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

think

fat piece of worthless baseball player and you can approximate what Paulino “looks like”

by PureTekulve on Apr 15, 2008 11:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That’s not totally fair. He is skinnier than he was last year.

by Charlie on Apr 15, 2008 11:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yr right

how about: slow, lazy and dim?

by PureTekulve on Apr 15, 2008 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Scully

Scully could talk about, oh, I don’t know, the game situation, the count, what the pitcher might throw on that count, how the particular batter hits what the pitcher might be throwing, where the outfielders are positioned…you know…stuff that is happening in a baseball game, rather than stale old stories.

by brooklynpirate on Apr 15, 2008 11:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Why does Paulino never even try to throw out runners?

by Charlie on Apr 15, 2008 11:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He follows the Little League rule

Never throw down with a runner on third.

Go Tribe!

by 19maz60 on Apr 15, 2008 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ugh.

by Charlie on Apr 15, 2008 11:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Q: What is the opposite of a stopper?

A: Matt Morris

by 19maz60 on Apr 15, 2008 11:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If Morris retires do the Bucs

still have to eat his $10 mil salary

by Bad Andy on Apr 15, 2008 11:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No

by azibuck on Apr 15, 2008 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why would he retire, though?

by Charlie on Apr 15, 2008 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wishful thinking I suppose

I’m sure JVB, Bull, or even Leo Munoz could do better than him

by Bad Andy on Apr 15, 2008 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

did you

SEE jvb pitch last year?

He makes Morris look like dice k

by PureTekulve on Apr 15, 2008 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We knew we'd need a few runs to win though.

by hisjazziness on Apr 15, 2008 11:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

For Matt Morris, being a “starter” means something different than what it meas to you and me.

by Charlie on Apr 15, 2008 11:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Loney, padding Paulino's stats

by azibuck on Apr 15, 2008 11:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Indeed

I don’t remember Loney being all that fast. Perhaps he underestimated Paulino and Morris, which is understandable.

Formerly known as Econolodge

by Willton on Apr 15, 2008 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Loney is a lot slower than he looks.

Co-Author Of The Fourth Most Popular NL West Based Blog On SBN

by Andrew on Apr 15, 2008 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

does loney run like a fat kid?

You're a Pirates fan?

by thegetupkids on Apr 15, 2008 11:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No, and actually both throws were good low one-hoppers. He was out by a mile both times though

by azibuck on Apr 15, 2008 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

because

how does he get thrown out…im not watching the game

You're a Pirates fan?

by thegetupkids on Apr 15, 2008 11:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Former Bucco Loaiza in to pitch

by Bad Andy on Apr 15, 2008 11:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

kuo only goes 4?

You're a Pirates fan?

by thegetupkids on Apr 15, 2008 11:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He was on a 60-70 pitch count.

Co-Author Of The Fourth Most Popular NL West Based Blog On SBN

by Andrew on Apr 15, 2008 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

gotcha

yea he was at 75…didnt know he was on a pitch count

You're a Pirates fan?

by thegetupkids on Apr 15, 2008 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why? Because he started the year in the ‘pen, or for some other reason?

by Charlie on Apr 15, 2008 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Worked as a reliever in Spring, and his arm is made of glass.

Co-Author Of The Fourth Most Popular NL West Based Blog On SBN

by Andrew on Apr 15, 2008 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks.

by Charlie on Apr 15, 2008 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps the Dodgers want to throw us a bone.

Formerly known as Econolodge

by Willton on Apr 15, 2008 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who is that, Loaiza? Pretty interesting outing by Kuo.

by Charlie on Apr 15, 2008 11:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Again, not that great on defense by DeWitt. That just ate him up. Most runners would’ve been safe.

by Charlie on Apr 15, 2008 11:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Chacon

Hisjazziness didn’t mention the most galling thing about Chacon’s line tonight. On ESPN’s Scoreboard page, where he’s one of the 3 stars, he’s wearing a Pirates cap.

by Zadoras on Apr 15, 2008 11:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Just DFA Rivas already.

Formerly known as Econolodge

by Willton on Apr 15, 2008 11:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Good catch.

by hisjazziness on Apr 15, 2008 11:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yikes, Morris caught a break there.

by Charlie on Apr 15, 2008 11:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I hate to rub something like this in, but is there a reason you guys have three useless utility infielders on your team?

Co-Author Of The Fourth Most Popular NL West Based Blog On SBN

by Andrew on Apr 15, 2008 11:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think we only have two, if you consider that either Rivas or Bixler has to start at shortstop.

by Charlie on Apr 15, 2008 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh yeah, forgot Wilson didn’t start last night either.

Co-Author Of The Fourth Most Popular NL West Based Blog On SBN

by Andrew on Apr 15, 2008 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He’s on the DL. When he comes back, either Rivas or Bixler will be gone. The big question is why Rivas is on the team in the first place, and I don’t think anyone here will be able to answer that one.

by Charlie on Apr 15, 2008 11:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nobody can answer it well, certainly.

by hisjazziness on Apr 15, 2008 11:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There are many reasons, but I guess the easiest answer is no.

by hisjazziness on Apr 15, 2008 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can we pull the plug on Morris already?

by Bad Andy on Apr 15, 2008 11:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You mean...

for the game?
Or for good?

Either way… I’m for yes.

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 15, 2008 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

At this point

I hope he never pitches another MLB game

by Bad Andy on Apr 15, 2008 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is Morris's last batter either way

by azibuck on Apr 15, 2008 11:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yikes, he’s just getting pelted.

by Charlie on Apr 15, 2008 11:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That ball just sat at the base of the wall. Weird.

by hisjazziness on Apr 15, 2008 11:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He tells me no Geek this year.

has run out of ways to dice up the numbers for this team. Same guys as last year. So what’s there to say about, for instance, this f%$&^in’ Morris guy? How many times can you state the obvious?

by bucdaddy on Apr 15, 2008 11:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

“He” = O’Neill, I presume? Not Kovacevic?

I sympathize with him, but these two weeks of baseball have been extremely easy to write about, in my opinion. I hope it doesn’t get worse in that regard.

by Charlie on Apr 15, 2008 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

= O'Neill

by bucdaddy on Apr 16, 2008 12:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If I have to watch him make 30 starts

I’ll stick a fork in my eye.

by bucdaddy on Apr 15, 2008 11:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I thought Morris was going to walk Kemp

Unintentionally intentionally. His first pitch was no where close, he putzed around on the rubber, Paulino came out for the visit. With Ethier due up, they were brining in a lefty anyway. I wonder if Morris said F this, and decided to challenge Kemp on his own.

Morris had nothing. His velocity is subsub-standard.

by azibuck on Apr 15, 2008 11:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs