Pirates Pack No Punch In 5-2 Loss

by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 16, 2010 9:54 PM EDT

The Pirates wasted a decent return start by Zach Duke, mustering almost no offense in a game that was also marked by baserunning and fielding miscues. Some of those were downright infuriating, like the play in which Andy LaRoche got caught sleeping between second and third and got gunned down needlessly, or the play in which Ronny Cedeno and Zach Duke failed to execute a rundown. Along the way there was a conspicuous balk (by Sean Gallagher) and two wild pitches. The Bucs might have gotten a few days off, but they certainly didn't look refreshed tonight.

The cliffs notes from the minors: Jeff Locke had an awesome debut for Altoona, striking out five and allowing no runs or walks in five innings. Robbie Grossman homered for Bradenton, where Aaron Pribanic had a quality start and an uncharacteristic five-strikeout night. Quinton Miller pitched five scoreless innings for State College, but didn't strike anyone out. And Eric Avila went 2-for-4 with a double in the GCL Bucs' 4-2 loss to the Phillies.

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Myers' pitch selection

Curve, curve, slider, change, slider, slider, change, curve, slider, curve curve, change slider.
Inning over.

How many fastballs did he throw that game? 2?

by ElDuce on Jul 16, 2010 9:56 PM EDT reply actions

They're saving their energy

for B.D./PST night.

by bucdaddy on Jul 16, 2010 11:43 PM EDT reply actions

Absolutely pathetic...

that players who call themselves professionals can play at such an amateur level. This team has no hope, no pride, no motivation. Nutting is a failure, as are Huntington, Coonelly and Russell. They lost badly to the 5th place team in their division. Disgraceful.

by dougalmac on Jul 17, 2010 12:14 AM EDT reply actions

And, in other news, the sun will rise in the East tomorrow.

Free your ass and your mind will follow.

by cocktailsfor2 on Jul 17, 2010 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions

On nitpicking comment.....

LaRoche didn’t get “caught sleeping.” He was moving aggressively off the bag, expecting contact the Walker didn’t produce. He got caught way too far off the bag and thrown out. It doesn’t make it any more acceptable, but he wasn’t out to lunch on the play.

by David Todd on Jul 17, 2010 12:18 PM EDT reply actions

Quinton Miller in State College?

Is he on a rehab assignment, or is he actually playing SS ball? I’m too lazy to look it up, but it seems as though he should be higher up in the minors than that.

As to the Pirates, I’m going to try to ignore the bad things, and focus on the fact that (a) Duke had a very good return, (b) the outfield combined for five hits, and © Meek struck out the side. This was a poor game, but there were a few encouraging signs.

Hey, an out is an out - unless you're Mario, in which case it's probably two outs. -UtesFan89

Hard work always beats talent if talent doesn't work hard.

by wg1of5 on Jul 17, 2010 5:43 PM EDT reply actions

He started the year in West Virginia (where he finished the year last year). He was injured and is just coming back over the last two weeks or so. I assume he ends up back in WV eventually.

by ElDuce on Jul 17, 2010 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions