Braves 4, Pirates 2: Offense Vanishes Again As Pirates Blow It In 11 Innings
by Charlie Wilmoth on May 25, 2011 4:11 PM EDT
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This was a really frustrating game, and it's amazing the Pirates stayed in it as long as it did. The offense, as usual, did very little, although it at least got nine hits this time, as opposed to four or five. After an RBI single by Chipper Jones in the first, the Bucs tied things up with an RBI single by Steve Pearce in the third. In the sixth, Eric Hinske hit a towering home run to right, then stood there admiring it as it nearly left the stadium. Pearce tied the game in the seventh with a solo homer off Eric O'Flaherty.
The Bucs had a glorious chance to win the game in the ninth, but they blew it. Lyle Overbay led off with a walk, and then Pedro Ciriaco pinch-ran for him. Ronny Cedeno then hit an easy grounder, but a error by the Braves' middle infield meant both runners were safe. Chris Snyder then had a great bunt to move the runners to second and third with one out. (And that's the kind of bunt I'll never get on Clint Hurdle's case for, obviously, since it makes sense to play for one run there and you don't want Snyder hitting into a double play.) The Braves intentionally walked Jose Tabata, which brought up Pearce, who had been the hero to that point, but Pearce then grounded into a double play, third to home to first. Ugh.
The Bucs brought in Jeff Karstens to pitch in extra innings (they have another day off tomorrow, so they can afford to do that), but Karstens gave up a two-run shot by Brooks Conrad in the 11th to seal it.
It was a nice game by the Pirates' pitchers, at least - James McDonald struck out six in six innings and might have given up only one run - after Jordan Schafer's double to lead off the game, neither of the other hits against McDonald in the first were sharp. McDonald looks like he's very clearly back on track now. And Dan McCutchen, Jose Veras and Joel Hanrahan all pitched scoreless innings out of the 'pen - not that we really expect anything less, at this point.
Unfortunately, the Pirates still haven't figured out ways to score. Neil Walker has vanished almost completely in May. So has Garrett Jones. Jose Tabata had been MIA for weeks before a string of multi-hit games in the past week. Pearce's hitting today aside, nobody on the bench has done much at all, just like last year, and those wasted bench at-bats really add up. The overwhelming majority of the offense this month has come from Ronny Cedeno, Andrew McCutchen and Ryan Doumit, and three guys can't really get the job done. No matter how well the pitching is doing, it's hard to feel confident when you know inning after inning will go by with no sign of offense anywhere.
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Feeling bad for the Starting line-up, really bad
by Elektrostal_Kid on May 25, 2011 4:13 PM EDT reply actions
typos
and
Overbay led off with a walk, and then Pedro Ciriaco [b]pinch-hit[/b] for him.[/quote]and
Cedeno then grounded to [b]second[/b][/quote]
Whyn't you just use the
“B” “I” “S” symbols at the tops of the comment / reply box?
How long you been comin’ to BD?
;-)
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on May 25, 2011 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions
they didn’t work at the time. slow connection at work, so i hit the stop loading button on my browser.
then i compounded the error by typing in the OBN format codes.n d’oh!
Well, live and learn.
Pour yourself a drink, and forget aaalllll about it.
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on May 25, 2011 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow, glad I went to the dentist today.
It’s nice that the most painful part of the trip to the dentist is writing a check when it’s done…
But yeah, sounds like another sucky loss. Oh well.
There is no love in the World. There's only pain.
Well it was still beautiful week to see my first-ever Pirates games. Friendly city and a fantastic stadium, although it would be better without all the noise and promotions. Some offense would help, too.
those promotions are for kids and families... gotta keep them interested in coming back
baseball is just not good enough any longer.
Except in Wrigley, where there's no Jumbotron.
But there are a buncha classless Chads and Trixies spending more time on their cell phones than watching the fucking game.
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on May 26, 2011 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Tch
Figures I can’t even listen to David’s post game show online. They’re airing whatever national crap is on instead.
Oh well, I guess I can listen to it on my pocket radio.
Pearce is hitting over .300 now
Albeit in limited playing time. He needs to be platooning at first with Overbay, who’s simply clueless against lefties.
As long as Pedro is sidelined, I’d use Pearce at first and Wood at third against lefties and Overbay at first and Pearce at first against righties. Then when Pedro gets back, Pearce should at least be splitting time with Overbay.
I’m not saying Pearce is our savior, but the guy is producing right now where Overbay isn’t. If accountability means anything, one shouldn’t be sitting while the other struggles.
wasnt Erroneous the greek god of utility infielders?
by white angus on May 26, 2011 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Tabata is starting to come around.
He has multiple hits in 5 of his last 7 games. But yea, it seems like only one hitter a game can come through. This offense if very frustrating.
"So you think 25 percent of the country is retarded?! Yea. Atleast 25 percent. Well lets do a sample. There are 4 of us an you're retarded. Thats 25 percent." Southpark; Mystery of the Urinal Deuce
RIP Corey Keller, James Taylor, M. Jay Darby, Derek Davis.
by gorillakilla34 on May 25, 2011 4:43 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Agree with you, sir.
I disagree with Charlie that Jose is MIA. He was (and that hammy tweak sure as shit didn’t help), but he’s been found, and so has his bat.
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on May 25, 2011 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions
We’ll see whether that lasts, but I certainly should have noted it. I put it in there – thanks.
by Charlie Wilmoth on May 25, 2011 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions
It's cool.
Everybody knows about my Pirate-crush.on Tabata.
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on May 25, 2011 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions
+1
"So you think 25 percent of the country is retarded?! Yea. Atleast 25 percent. Well lets do a sample. There are 4 of us an you're retarded. Thats 25 percent." Southpark; Mystery of the Urinal Deuce
RIP Corey Keller, James Taylor, M. Jay Darby, Derek Davis.
by gorillakilla34 on May 25, 2011 7:23 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Walker is really starting to concern me. It seems that lately, he swings and misses at everything in every at-bat, and he struck out three times this afternoon. Maybe batting cleanup is changing his approach, or maybe he’s regressing. Regardless, something needs to change with him, and pronto—the team can ill-afford to have him enter a big slump with its already weak offense.
They should draft the person they think is the most talented.
If it happens to be Rendon, that’d be great.
There is no love in the World. There's only pain.
by IAPiratesFan on May 25, 2011 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Yawn...Rendon....
Let’s say the guy is healthy…and then he signs too late to do anything in ‘11 in the minors. Do you think he’ll be in Pittsburgh in ‘12? When in ’13 would we expect him for good? And wouldn’t there be some growing pains?
Shit, Cutch, Tabata and Walker are still establishing themselves, and Alvarez has yet too. This doesn’t mean that Rendon couldn’t surprise quickly and maybe be of some help next year, but I wouldn’t count on it.
People need to be more concerned about what is in Pgh. now and the handful of guys at AA/AAA that could reasonably be expected to help later this year and the next.
The draft is not that important right now.
パトリック
The draft is not that important right now.
The draft, the trade deadline and the maturation of the younger players are the only important things right now.
s.zielinski
The "maturation of the younger players" both in Pgh. and those we expect to possibly arrive
this year and next is of the utmost importance.
The trade deadline will increase in importance as it nears. Right now we need to do the best with what we have, being mindful of playing guys who may actually have a future with the team as we get into summer.
The draft is at the bottom of the list RIGHT NOW. I didn’t say it wasn’t important for the Pirates to do their best to bring in as many good prospects as possible. My point to you is in response to your idea that to “Draft Rendon” has a damn thing to do with improving the Pirates’ woeful offense at any time in the next year or so.
Steve: A simple question-When would you expect Rendon to arrive in Pgh. for good, if he stays healthy?
パトリック
I view it more like a warning
You can have a good to very good pitching staff (like we’re expected to have in a few years with Taillon, Heredia, …) and still fail miserably because your offense can’t score 4 runs to save its life.
As of today (48 games played), we’ve scored 3 runs or less in 24 games. Which means in halve of our games we have to hope our pitching saves us. That’s a lot of praying in my taste.
We need offense badly right now, but we need a better offense in general in the future. And in my mind, at equal value, our best option is to target a bat. Which happens to be Rendon in this draft.
not a good enough reason, sorry
if Cole, or Hultzen, or Bundy is looked upon as the better player, you take them
NH has traded for bats before, and arms, so you cant look at it like that.
but if Rendon truly is the best, you draft him, but not just because hes a bat.
That's why I included "at equal value"
If, like in 2009, the best player is Strasburg, you take him and ask questions later.
This year, it’s a lot closer between Rendon and Cole (or Hultzen or Bundy or Bauer). In that case, you might as well hit 2 birds with one stone and choose the area where you’re weak.
But, then again, I’m more a “hitting first” guy.
Yeah, well,
Good pitching always beats good hitting.
And vice-versa.
Or, in the Pirates' case,
nearly non-existent hitting.
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on May 26, 2011 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
This is just not a good offensive team, and it’s hard to see how they’ll be much better next year without bringing in some outside help. We absolutely need Pedro to come back and be productive.
On the plus side, it was a good day for Altoona. Colla pitched 5 good innings, he’s been Altoona’s best pitcher this year, though he’s still probably a fringe prospect. Morris had 3 K, 1 BB and 1 H in 3 innings. Holt, Marte, Farrell and Fryer each had multiple hit games.
You Know What They Say...
“You just can give a team extra outs. They’re not gonna score anyway.”
elvishasleft.com
bestweekever.tv
"In the sixth, Eric Hinske hit a towering home run to right, then stood there admiring it as it nearly left the stadium."
I’m going to place an injury curse on him for his next game.
パトリック
Positives:
-This team’s pitching isn’t so bad. The bullpen is tremendous, and the starters are adequate.
-The offense will be better once Alvarez (and Tabata/Walker) return to the lineup.
No jinx no jinx no jinx.
"Alvarez return to the lineup"
He’d better get his big butt in gear and produce or he’ll be batting in the middle of Indy’s lineup before the All-Star break.
パトリック
the best thing about this game
is moving Tabs back to leadoff with Cutch in a power spot.
Jose has wheels and vision
Cutch hits the ball really really hard.
Makes sense
#31 All Day...
I missed this one but it seems like even in his best game Pearce is still gonna draw hate from fans. With Mac back on track our rotation really is solid, I can’t wait for Pedro to get back now. I think NH needs to make a big move soon to acquire a long-term bat for SS, RF, or 1B. We have a surplus of pitching and prospects, put them to use.
A lot of teams would like to improve SS, I bet. Where exactly is the superior player to Cedeno going to come from?
“We have a surplus of pitching and prospects, put them to use.”
I’m not so sure this is the case quite yet, and the timing is a bit premature anyway.
パトリック
Three guys producing
Ok Cedeno, Cutch, Doumit was mentioned as the three good hitters for the last month. Cedeno batting 8th, Cutch batting 1st, Doumit Batting what 5th? Only three guys producing and all three batting far from each other. Cutch now 3rd, Doumit 5th, and Cedeno 6th or 7th has to produce runs IF THEY CONTINUE
by Joey Mooney on May 25, 2011 9:22 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Hey lookit Jarek and Brandon Cumpton today.
Cunningham continues to pound the ball: HR, double, basehit tonight. If only he could not strike out, like, every other trip.
Cumpton was reportedly “screwed up” when drafted. He started the year utterly sucking but has been pretty phenomenal in his last 6 run-outs. He’s 22 in low A ball, so he “should” perform, but is there any word on what, if anything, got fixed?
walker
i dont think its quite time to panic about his extended slump, although its like 4 games without a hit, today marked his first full year of playin in the big leagues. Not too bad if ya ask me. All hitters will slump as we all know, it probably wouldn’t look so bad if it wasn’t for the rest of the team being utterly useless most of the time.
Its funny how we all thought the offense would be our strength. If something doesn’t change soon this could get ugly, real ugly.
hopefully a trip back to wrigley as well as going back on the road bring some life back to the bats
Hopefully
outings like this prove to most that you need some balance between hitting and pitching. Those who think we can follow the Giants model of success may want to look back at this week and think twice about putting all of your eggs into the “Great starting pitching and nothing else matters!” basket.
"great pitching beats great hitting"
Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Jack Butler, Greg Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
"Baseball is like church. Many attend, but few understand." Wes Westrum
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan
by WVPiratesfan on May 26, 2011 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I hate to say it, but...
When you list your team’s three hottest hitters at any point in a season, and Ronny Cedeno’s name comes up, that bodes nothing but ill fortunes for your team’s offensive outlook.
And I hate to say it because his name is there due to the fact that he’s been hitting better, and that’s always been one of my gripes about the guy as a player.
Oy.
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