Pittsburgh @ New York GameThread, Apr 29, 2008 7:10 PM EDT

Pirates vs. Mets, 29 April 2008

by Charlie on Apr 29, 2008 2:26 PM EDT

Pittsburgh @ New York

Let's try this again. Ian Snell and Johan Santana, 7:10 at Shea. Here's the box.

If you haven't seen it, there's a pretty interesting article in the Post-Gazette about a number of players the Pirates could have traded this winter, but didn't. A lot of them are making the Bucs look pretty smart. Damaso Marte has struggled, but Xavier Nady, John Grabow and Jason Bay all now look like they could fetch something. I'm still not a fan of the Pirates' decision to start Nady and leave Steve Pearce in the minors -- what can I say, I'm stubborn -- but all will be forgiven if the Pirates can snag a real prospect for Nady. As for Bay, his numbers have tailed off a bit in the last week or so, but he's still posting a 127 OPS+. The packages other teams were offering over the winter were meager, but they may be better now.

-P- The Brewers just made room for Mike Cameron by sending SP David Bush to the minors. I don't know what the Pirates really have to offer the Brewers, and I don't want them trading prospects in any case, but if I were the Bucs, I'd call to see what it would take to pry Bush away. The Pirates need a starter, and Bush's numbers indicate he could be helpful. He's posted K/BB ratios of 3:1 or better the past two years, and he keeps the ball on the ground. A good portion of the blame for his bad ERA last year goes to the Brewers' bad defense, not to him.

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bush

i thought the same thing when i saw he was released. he’d make a decent stopgap for the bucs but i don’t think he’s worth what we’d have to give up to get him. his big k/bb splits could also make him an excellent reliever, should his struggles as a starter continue.

by johnnycuff on Apr 29, 2008 3:21 PM EDT 0 recs

Not released.

He had an option left, and he’s supposedly going to be back up in a day or two.

The local connection would be interesting with Bush, but I’m not sure I’d be willing to pay anything extra for it.

by Vlad on Apr 29, 2008 3:36 PM EDT up 0 recs

Speaking of Milwaukee pitchers

I do think we missed a trick by not making a heavier push for Claudio Vargas when the Brewers cut him loose. He’s nothing special, but given the general instability of our rotation (and the lack of quality options in the minors), I do think it would’ve been nice to have some extra insurance.

by Vlad on Apr 29, 2008 3:37 PM EDT 0 recs

I agree. While Vargas is nothing to write home about, he’s really not a horrible pitcher. Many of Milwaukee’s pitchers (Capuano, Bush, Vargas) looked artificially bad last year because of bad defense by Braun, Hall and others. It wouldn’t have been a bad idea to take a look at any of them—although, again, it’s not like the Pirates have a lot to offer.

by Charlie on Apr 29, 2008 3:47 PM EDT up 0 recs

Vargas was released by Mil. The Pirates could have claimed him on waivers and picked yp his $3.6 million salary. They acknowledge whenever Dejan asks that they still have money laying around, even giving Morris his $10 million. Or they could have signed him when he cleared. It took the Mets 16 days to sign him, after first professing little interest. Perhaps he still would have preferred the Mets, though his chance at a longer term job seem better with the Buccos. I’m not aware that Neal even tried however.

by rogero on Apr 29, 2008 6:22 PM EDT up 0 recs

Been a while

since I’ve been home for the start of a game.

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 29, 2008 6:51 PM EDT 0 recs

The Mets

SS Reyes
2 Castillo
3 Wright
CF Beltran
RF Church
1 Delgado
C Casanova
LF Chavez
P Perez (2-1, 4.45)

Reyes is 3-12 in his career against Snell.
Wright is 1-7.
Church 1-6.
Casanova 2-2.
Castillo 1-7.
Beltran 2-8.
Chavez is 3-3.
Delgado is 2-7.

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 29, 2008 6:57 PM EDT 0 recs

Oops... not Perez (with Snell's numbers)

Santana (3-2, 3.12)

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 29, 2008 6:59 PM EDT up 0 recs

The Buccos

CF McLouth
SS Gomez
2 Sanchez
LF Jason-ity
RF X-Man
1 Black Hole
3 Bautista
C Paulino
P Snell (2-1, 4.45)

Bautista is 0-9 in his career against Santana. Ouch.
Bay is 1-3.
Gomez is 8-14.
Nady is 1-4.
Paulino is 1-2.
Sanchez is 2-3.

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 29, 2008 7:00 PM EDT 0 recs

No one else has faced Santana

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 29, 2008 7:02 PM EDT up 0 recs

Gomez

too lazy to look…is this his first start for us at SS.

by Thunder on Apr 29, 2008 7:09 PM EDT 0 recs

Not sure...

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 29, 2008 7:11 PM EDT up 0 recs

Nate!

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 29, 2008 7:11 PM EDT 0 recs

Nate

Again!!

by Thunder on Apr 29, 2008 7:11 PM EDT 0 recs

And

Hossa has already put the pens up 1-0. Could be a real bad night for NY sports fans.

by Thunder on Apr 29, 2008 7:13 PM EDT 0 recs

Only thing that could make it worse...

rehiring of Isiah as basketball coach?

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 29, 2008 7:14 PM EDT up 0 recs

Naaahh...

Yanks are down 2-0 too.

by Thunder on Apr 29, 2008 7:18 PM EDT up 0 recs

You're right

Bush would do much better with a strong defense like ours behind him.

Oh, wait …

by bucdaddy on Apr 29, 2008 7:19 PM EDT 0 recs

Any pitcher would have trouble with our defense. That doesn’t change the fact that Bush’s performance last year makes him look worse than he is.

by Charlie on Apr 29, 2008 8:37 PM EDT up 0 recs

Pinch me

one of our catchers actually threw out a good base stealer.

by Thunder on Apr 29, 2008 7:23 PM EDT 0 recs

Shocking!

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 29, 2008 7:24 PM EDT up 0 recs

yea that was shocking…Paulino throwing out Reyes??

by richmondpirate on Apr 29, 2008 7:24 PM EDT up 0 recs

and

it wasn’t all that close at 2nd either.

by Thunder on Apr 29, 2008 7:28 PM EDT up 0 recs

i really wish...

i could watch this…

Raise the Jolly Roger!
http://raisethejollyroger21.blogspot.com

by Raise the Jolly Roger on Apr 29, 2008 7:32 PM EDT 0 recs

It's beginning

to look like Santana has found his groove. Snell may need a bunch of zeros tonight.

by Thunder on Apr 29, 2008 7:53 PM EDT 0 recs

doesnt help....

that he just got a base hit

Raise the Jolly Roger!
http://raisethejollyroger21.blogspot.com

by Raise the Jolly Roger on Apr 29, 2008 7:55 PM EDT up 0 recs

Snell

seems to be struggling with his control somewhat. May be the weather (cold and damp).

by Thunder on Apr 29, 2008 7:58 PM EDT 0 recs

He struggled a little

last start, too, even after the first inning.

by DITO on Apr 29, 2008 7:59 PM EDT up 0 recs

Huh,

so Paulino gunned down Reyes?

I saw it on my fantasy team’s scoreboard and had to come on and ask how the trow looked…I know Reyes is off this year but the throw had to be pretty good.

by DITO on Apr 29, 2008 7:59 PM EDT 0 recs

it SOUNDED good...

not on TV here (pens)

Raise the Jolly Roger!
http://raisethejollyroger21.blogspot.com

by Raise the Jolly Roger on Apr 29, 2008 8:00 PM EDT up 0 recs

It was…Reyes out by a couple of feet. Throw a little to first base side of second…but good overall.

by Thunder on Apr 29, 2008 8:01 PM EDT up 0 recs

Thanks

for the hundreth time…I really need to buy mlbtv

by DITO on Apr 29, 2008 8:02 PM EDT up 0 recs

Never mind

double plays take care of walks pretty well.

by Thunder on Apr 29, 2008 7:59 PM EDT 0 recs

huge

DP there

by richmondpirate on Apr 29, 2008 8:01 PM EDT 0 recs

BAY!

GETTIN HOT

Raise the Jolly Roger!
http://raisethejollyroger21.blogspot.com

by Raise the Jolly Roger on Apr 29, 2008 8:04 PM EDT 0 recs

Jason-ity!

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 29, 2008 8:05 PM EDT 0 recs

Only one problem with Jason...

guess how many RBI Jason has that have not been on Home Runs this season?? Try zero!!! He’s had 1 three run homer…1 two run homer and 4 solos…for 9 RBI.

by Thunder on Apr 29, 2008 8:09 PM EDT 0 recs

wow

didn’t know that…..pretty interesting

Raise the Jolly Roger!
http://raisethejollyroger21.blogspot.com

by Raise the Jolly Roger on Apr 29, 2008 8:10 PM EDT up 0 recs

Interesting. Yes.

Also very disappointing.

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 29, 2008 8:12 PM EDT up 0 recs

And that’s a problem with Bay? Isn’t that really a problem with the guys that hit in front of him?

Formerly known as Econolodge

by Willton on Apr 29, 2008 8:42 PM EDT up 0 recs

crap

church 2 run shot

Raise the Jolly Roger!
http://raisethejollyroger21.blogspot.com

by Raise the Jolly Roger on Apr 29, 2008 8:20 PM EDT 0 recs

o dear

cmon ian dont let this get ugly

Raise the Jolly Roger!
http://raisethejollyroger21.blogspot.com

by Raise the Jolly Roger on Apr 29, 2008 8:36 PM EDT 0 recs

Oh no.

by Charlie on Apr 29, 2008 8:42 PM EDT 0 recs

wow… come on now..

Pirates Cove

by MarcB on Apr 29, 2008 8:43 PM EDT 0 recs

Defense

strikes again. How can Freddy drop that throw?? Snell should have been out of the inning.

by Thunder on Apr 29, 2008 8:44 PM EDT 0 recs

Santana at 91 pitches

Perhaps the offense learned a thing or two about hitting?

Formerly known as Econolodge

by Willton on Apr 29, 2008 8:45 PM EDT 0 recs

that error better not cost us… now that hurts snell.. god

Pirates Cove

by MarcB on Apr 29, 2008 8:46 PM EDT 0 recs

Hey Snell

STOP WALKING PEOPLE!!!!

Formerly known as Econolodge

by Willton on Apr 29, 2008 8:46 PM EDT 0 recs

Basically knocks Snell out of the game. That’s a drag.

by Charlie on Apr 29, 2008 8:46 PM EDT 0 recs

urgh

this game started out promising…....

Raise the Jolly Roger!
http://raisethejollyroger21.blogspot.com

by Raise the Jolly Roger on Apr 29, 2008 8:48 PM EDT up 0 recs

is the fifth inning over?

by DITO on Apr 29, 2008 8:48 PM EDT 0 recs

oh crap

Snell is out already

by DITO on Apr 29, 2008 8:51 PM EDT up 0 recs

Wow, big K by Marte.

by Charlie on Apr 29, 2008 8:51 PM EDT 0 recs

Big gimme from the ump, too.

.500 or bust...

by phillybucco on Apr 29, 2008 8:52 PM EDT up 0 recs

Really? It looked in the zone to me.

by Charlie on Apr 29, 2008 8:52 PM EDT up 0 recs

MLB.tv feed

which happens to be the mets feed…had a shot from hi behind the plate that showed it was definitely outside. Good thing is that Marte then got Delgado.

by Thunder on Apr 29, 2008 8:54 PM EDT up 0 recs