Pirates 6, Cardinals 4: 1-0!

by Charlie Wilmoth on Apr 6, 2009 7:33 PM EDT

Well, it wasn't pretty--the Bucs made three errors (two by Andy LaRoche, who started this season like the last one never ended), only struck out two batters, and generally played sloppy, fumbling baseball, as there were a number of poor fielding plays that they didn't get errors for. But on the bright side, they had eleven hits, walked six times (some with the help of some poor control by Cardinals pitchers, but still), Nyjer Morgan had three hits, Adam LaRoche didn't look totally clueless, and Paul Maholm's breaking stuff was fairly sharp. And Andy LaRoche, for all his defensive miscues, drew an impressive walk, laying off a very close pitch--he had a bad game overall, but he wouldn't have drawn that walk last year.

The Bucs were down 4-2 but scored four runs in the ninth to win it. Three of those came across on a bases-loaded double by Jack Wilson, and sure enough, MLB.tv cut out right before it happened. Thanks a lot, Major League Baseball. Still, I guess we can be happy, at least for one day.

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Had 'em All the Way!

Definitely not pretty but I don’t thing many of the games will be. All it took was one big hit and Matt Capps to win this one. Maholm pitched pretty well for a cold opening day in Cardinal land.

I hope Andy LaRoche does not get too down. There are 161 more games.

by zogger on Apr 6, 2009 7:43 PM EDT reply actions

Wooooooooooooo!

by EStreet on Apr 6, 2009 7:44 PM EDT reply actions

There was Nnnnnnoooooooooooooooooo DOUBT ABOUT IT !

I listened to the first few innings. Nyjer Morgan better get some better spikes, the announcer kept saying he was slipping and sliding on the base paths and in the outfield.

by Ketcham Bruce on Apr 6, 2009 7:54 PM EDT reply actions

Could Management pick another winner

Last year Doumit and Nate. This year-NYJER! Wouldn’t that be amazing. Gotta give him kudos today. Even had a SB.

by long4willie on Apr 6, 2009 7:56 PM EDT reply actions

Imported from the prior thread

Does anyone think that it just might be possible that — except for the Cubs — the NL Central really sucks?

I mean Jason Motte doesn’t hardly make you want to forget Dennis Eckersley.

And if the NL Central well and truly sucks, the PBC looks better simply by comparison.

by WstCstBucco on Apr 6, 2009 7:58 PM EDT reply actions

I actually think Motte is going to be pretty good.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Apr 6, 2009 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe so, Chas

but he got beat today like Mike Lange’s rented mule.

by WstCstBucco on Apr 6, 2009 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions

IMO

I believe Houston will place last. I believe 3-5 could be any order of Pirates, Brewers, and Cardinals, because all these teams have poor pitching for the most part: without Sheets and Sabatthia the Brewers don’t look nearly as good. I think the Reds have a pretty talented young team with good pitching and that puts them in second. I could be wrong.

Jason
The Hanging Curve

by poorboywilly on Apr 6, 2009 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions

if you think...

We complain about our bullpen…lol

You should see St. Louis fans after one game.

http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/tipsheet/cards-game-day/2009/04/no-relief-for-cardinals-on-opening-day/

by lfhlaw on Apr 6, 2009 8:24 PM EDT reply actions

can you say

MELTDOWN?

by BadAndy on Apr 6, 2009 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Jack Wilson

would be well worth a short-term extension, especially if we don’t acquire any more organizational depth at shortstop. The guy’s still impeccable defensively, and he at least can get the timely hit.

by Suffering Buc on Apr 6, 2009 8:31 PM EDT reply actions

Nyjer Morgan for MVP

am i right???????

by mittens on Apr 6, 2009 8:35 PM EDT reply actions

NL central leader

til the Astros Cubs game ends and then you’re tied.

by ol Pete on Apr 6, 2009 9:17 PM EDT reply actions

I like the picture of Ludwick

making the catch on the LaRoche fly ball. Very clearly has a can of copenhagen in that pocket.

I quite enjoy the new slideshow feature or whatever that sbnation has implemented.

Jason
The Hanging Curve

by poorboywilly on Apr 6, 2009 9:33 PM EDT reply actions

No way

that’s against MLB rules, and #1, no way Ludwick chews Copenhagen. No way. A-Rod, if he dipped (snuff), would have Copenhagen. Ludwick? Skoal or Grizzly or some less popular budget brand.

by azibuck on Apr 6, 2009 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Isn’t dip/chewing tobacco not banned by MLB, just by certain clubs?

I made most of my life decisions at a Foghat concert... I stand by them.

by Chester J Lampwick on Apr 6, 2009 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Sloppy or not....

…a win is a win. And, when you are only expected to get 60-some a season, we’ll take it!!! Way to go Buccos.

by Brakeman8 on Apr 6, 2009 10:03 PM EDT reply actions

162-0

I’m going to go out on a limb and predict an undefeated season for our Pirates.

by Alleghenys on Apr 6, 2009 10:13 PM EDT reply actions

Tied for the division lead!

I made most of my life decisions at a Foghat concert... I stand by them.

by Chester J Lampwick on Apr 6, 2009 10:57 PM EDT reply actions

MLB TV

Yeah, seriously what the hell happened there. I assumed the game had ended and I was behind so the feed cut out. Overall, it feels good to get the win. Be prepared for many games blown by the bullpen. We got lucky this time.

by kjcity520 on Apr 7, 2009 1:39 AM EDT reply actions

Russell Is Clueless ... But Very Lucky

He should have pinch hit for Maholm in the 6th with a runner in scoring position. He was trying to avoid going to the bullpen, but still had to take Maholm out in the 7th.

He should have pinch run anybody for LaRoche in the 9th. With two outs, any runner with average or better speed (Cruz or a pitcher) would have easily scored on Hinske’s double.

Russell simply got very lucky.

Luck usually evens out.

by thegunner on Apr 7, 2009 11:18 AM EDT reply actions

I dunno,

Malholm is our Albert Pujols, only with a better OPS.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Apr 7, 2009 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions

i agree with the second point but i think he made the right call to leave maholm in. he had a pretty low pitch count and to that point had been very effective. maholm was also 1-1 with 2 walks on the day.

by johnnycuff on Apr 7, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m not sure anyone would have been able to score on that double, but I agree with your point about LaRoche. I don’t agree about Maholm. The bullpen is a mess, and Maholm’s pitch count was very low.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Apr 7, 2009 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions