Pirates 7, Astros 3: Bucs Win Long Game To Take Winning Record
by Charlie Wilmoth on Jun 16, 2011 12:03 AM EDT
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PrintIt's June 15, and the Pirates have a winning record this late in the season for the first time since ... let's say the Carter administration. (Actually, it's August 15, 1999.) Personally, I hope the Bucs reel off a long winning streak, not only because that would be awesome in itself, but because it really would be nice to enjoy the Pirates being a competitive team without the need to pontificate thrice weekly on the historical significance of their being .500, or having a winning record, or whatever pseudo-milestone they just reached.
And sorry for the attitude, since overall, being 34-33 at this point in the year feels amazing. I don't mean to minimize it - it's incredibly freeing to not feel the sense of absurdity that typically accompanies Pirate fandom at this point of the year. But this was a harder-won game than 7-3 victories tend to be. It was extremely long, and there seemed to be multiple baserunners aboard at all times. Certainly, it's always nice to see the Pirates score seven runs, even if one of them came home as the result of a really bad throw by Brett Wallace (that probably happened partially because the pitcher ran into his path on his way to cover first) and two more were the result of a fly ball by Xavier Paul that would have been a routine out in most other ballparks.
Charlie Morton allowed three runs and most of those aforementioned million baserunners in five innings, and left down 3-2. (The Pirates' two runs came on an RBI triple by Neil Walker in the first and an RBI single by Walker in the third.) But Dan McCutchen came on to pitch three scoreless innings, which allowed the Pirates to get back in the game. They had a three-run sixth inning off Enerio Del Rosario, thanks in part to three straight hits by Paul, Jose Tabata and Garrett Jones. Then Paul hit his two-run homer in the seventh to seal it. Chris Resop pitched his way into trouble in the ninth, but Joel Hanrahan picked up the save to end it.
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It looked to me like
Wallace’s throw was horrible because the pitcher ran right in his path as he was throwing it. Had he thrown it straight, the pitcher might be in a coma.
Oh ok. I missed that. I’m sure it’ll come up on the highlights in a few minutes here.
by Charlie Wilmoth on Jun 16, 2011 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions
Ya
he’s right. Just saw it on baseball tonight. That dude would have been down for the count.
Da'Sean Butler - A Mountaineer Legend
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Jun 16, 2011 12:18 AM EDT up reply actions
I
should be going to sleep, but I’m staying up to watch us on baseball tonight! Woooooooooooooooooooooo!
Da'Sean Butler - A Mountaineer Legend
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Jun 16, 2011 12:09 AM EDT reply actions
The last time the Bucs made ESPN, may (to steal Charlie’s line) have been the during Carter administration. I think this is a great sign of change and I hope it can continue. This is promising to be a great summer to watch bucco baseball.
by StripesForLife on Jun 16, 2011 12:33 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Surprisingly, when they hit 30-30, I saw them all over shows on ESPN. But not when they hit 33-33.
by thecheeseisblue on Jun 16, 2011 12:41 AM EDT up reply actions
it's because ESPN has it's 30 for 30 theme
It was really funny (unless you don’t have a sense of humor)
XP has done really well coming in mid-game.
I say start Diaz, and pinch hit Paul for him.
I’m only half-kidding.
Santa Roberto Clemente
Ora Pro Nobis
@ChristianTappe
i less than half agree
in x. paul’s first appearance ROOT showed a graphic saying that he had 10 Ks in 17 pinch hitting ABs. manny mota he is not.
Yeah,
but as a sub, he went 3-for-3!
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Jun 16, 2011 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Pirates getting some love on SportsCenter
And some dipshit called Cutch, Andrew “Action Figure” McCutchen. Come on now. I know ESPN blows, but even they can come up with something better than that. How about “The Predator” as a play on his hair and the 1987 classic.
“Action Figure”? What was the explanation for that?
by Charlie Wilmoth on Jun 16, 2011 12:24 AM EDT up reply actions
his give away was an action figure…promotion at PNC this year i believe or was that last year?
We have to unify and watch our flag ascend!
Ya
that’s what I immediately assumed it was.
Da'Sean Butler - A Mountaineer Legend
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Jun 16, 2011 12:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Then it's an
inaction figure
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Jun 16, 2011 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Truth
That guy talks circles around his own thoughts daily.
by StripesForLife on Jun 16, 2011 12:34 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Was not aware of the action figure giveaway
Guess thats what happens when you don’t live in Pitt and have to listen to the other teams announcers a vast majority of the time. That and not watching ESPN much. I prefer the guys on MLB network.
Harold Reynolds and Al Leiter were praising the Pirates since the end of spring training
if that means anything.
by white angus on Jun 16, 2011 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions
The Predator
That’s what I always call him, I think its the best nickname by far. With the hair, speed, and power its very representative.
Should the Pirates keep Neal Huntington?
http://www.bucsdugout.com/2011/5/16/2174135/poll-should-huntington-be-retained
by Kosstic518 on Jun 16, 2011 9:23 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The
problem is Robert Sands was the predator before Cutch was, and he’s 6’5 so he looks much more like a predator!
I can’t have two predators! New nickname please.
(P.S. I think “Cutch” is just fine)
Da'Sean Butler - A Mountaineer Legend
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Jun 16, 2011 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions
since his name is similar to McLovin, how about hes just "superbad"...
what? weak?
by white angus on Jun 16, 2011 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Cutch
22 is another personal favorite.
Da'Sean Butler - A Mountaineer Legend
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Jun 16, 2011 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe, just maybe
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
hey hey! i remember this, what year was this the theme song?
We have to unify and watch our flag ascend!
I want to say 2005-06
one of those two years. I wasn’t the worst thing DL imparted on the franchise
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 Jun 16, 2011 12:50 AM EDT up reply actions
I can’t lie, this song IS on my ipod… and I love it and listen to it regularly with visions of glory running through my head
by TheLizardKing on Jun 16, 2011 1:09 AM EDT up reply actions
and btw… the still play it at the ballpark after wins.. sometimes
by TheLizardKing on Jun 16, 2011 1:10 AM EDT up reply actions
I wish the Pirates' site had some nice downladable wallpapers...
The Penguins always a bunch of great wallpapers every year, but now I can’t really find many decent Pirates ones.
So, I don’t know what’s more sick — the fact that Vancouver is killing itself from the inside, or the fact that #canucksriot is trending on Twitter, and half of those trending tweets are people pimping their websites with ‘live coverage’.
Social media is turning this world into a callous asshole, and I feel like punching it in the face.
Thank you Ned Colletti.
yeah… but you’re talking about hockey… so… I .. don’t… care
by TheLizardKing on Jun 16, 2011 1:24 AM EDT up reply actions
because it’s 1:30… what else is there to do when I don’t have to work until 4 tomorrow?
by TheLizardKing on Jun 16, 2011 1:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Here
Look through the stats of the 1999 Bucs team, the last team to be over .500 this late in the year.
It’s too bad Kendall had his foot fall off got injured that year, he was on pace for a spectacular season.
wow, there were some SERIOUS OPS numbers on that team… as well as some solid counting number stats. Since I was only 11 when that team played, my only memories are, as you said, things like Kendall breaking his foot and Al Martin being absolutely awesome (from my POV)…
by TheLizardKing on Jun 16, 2011 1:57 AM EDT up reply actions
How
in the hell did a player (Jason Schmidt) hitting .083 and strikeout 55% (!!!!!!) of the time get 77 plate appearances. You think after watching him strikeout more often than not about 40 times, he’d get cut/put down.
Da'Sean Butler - A Mountaineer Legend
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Jun 16, 2011 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Sarcasm, right?
Pitcher who had great stuff until a few years ago. I didn’t see a sarcasm box or whatever it’s called.
I remember that team pretty well. Some decent talent and some pretty good lines for a few players.
Nobody hurt a tackler like Zonk did.
by rintintinsoldier on Jun 16, 2011 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh
dear Lord I’m embarassed. I was completely thinking of someone else, not realizing it was a pitcher with those numbers instead of a hitter.
Makes a huge difference obviously. Man I’m tired (excuse and hopes no one sees this.)
Da'Sean Butler - A Mountaineer Legend
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Jun 16, 2011 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
nope
we’re gonna have to work it to death… thats what we do…
by white angus on Jun 16, 2011 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Curses!
Da'Sean Butler - A Mountaineer Legend
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Jun 16, 2011 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions
The crack pipe...
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Jun 16, 2011 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions
No!
Da'Sean Butler - A Mountaineer Legend
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Jun 16, 2011 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't recall Kevin Young ever being good
But he was a monster in 1999. Juicing was definitely involved.
haha absolutely correct. Let us not forget his name drop in the Mitchell Report
by TheLizardKing on Jun 16, 2011 2:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Kendall was on pace for an 8.2 WAR
Oliver (in his place) had a .-0.5 WAR
Had Kendall not been injured there would’ve been no doubt the Pirates would’ve had a winning season (although not obvisiously good enough to compete with the Astros and Reds)
As it was
Their Pythag record for that year was 83-79. Add in a healthy Kendall, and it could have been an 87 win team.
Bonifay made a lot of mistakes, but he also got a lot of things right.
Shame everyone turned into a pumpkin in 2000, and then Cam panicked.
I’m talking about a city dropping a guy three stories and putting him in the hospital. I don’t like hockey, and I like to ‘riot’, and even this is pissing me off.
Thank you Ned Colletti.
wow, man, you’re right. Sorry, I didn’t even read your entire post. My apologies, tuned out after canucks. That is some serious fucked up shit
by TheLizardKing on Jun 16, 2011 1:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Wow, really?
I mean, I knew they were passionate up there, but I didn’t think it would get violent or anything. I hope it doesn’t get too bad…
“#canucksriot”? Wow, Twitter is so stupid.
by Charlie Wilmoth on Jun 16, 2011 2:15 AM EDT up reply actions
If the Bucs can keep it up this year...
Look out for Beat ‘em Bucs to make a comeback! As the grandson of Benny Benack Sr. who coined the original, I’d be happy to put together a modern version for when this team wins the world series!
Benny Benack III
Why wait?
Get to work!
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Jun 16, 2011 3:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Hey I commented
In the game thread but is anybody interested in a documentary film about the last 20 years of pirates fandom?
by RetireNutting on Jun 16, 2011 2:03 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
I do recall seeing that… absolutely I would be interested in that in some capacity. KOL8050@calu.edu send me any details
by TheLizardKing on Jun 16, 2011 2:08 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m a Pirates fan here in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and it’s been rough being a Pirates fan for most of my almost 30-years of life. Why not commiserate with others who have also endured the same experience? Please send info about the documentary to nathanbalbright@yahoo.com
by Nathan Albright on Jun 16, 2011 5:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Yep.
Let me know if I can help.
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Jun 16, 2011 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions
So wait…apparently during the game broadcast, it was mentioned that Presley got called up. Is this true?
Thank you Ned Colletti.
? I heard them say that there was a good chance Presley would be called up for interleague play.
by Charlie Wilmoth on Jun 16, 2011 2:30 AM EDT up reply actions
The first clue we might get on Presley (and/or D’Arnaud) is whether he gets on the plane for Indy’s road trip this morning. I suspect we’d see a tweet from Scott McCauley sometime this morning…unless he gets told to sit on the information.
Pirates responding to Charlie's posts...
I wondering if the Pirates have been reading Charlie’s post complaining about the bench (which is responsible for the win last night) and the bottom of the line-up being automatic outs (the 7 and 8 guys combine for 4 hits last night).
Charlie, I’ve got an idea for your next post. Maybe write about how you don’t believe this current team can run off a 12-game winning streak with the games they have upcoming….
And then the Pirates will do it…..
by impliedi on Jun 16, 2011 7:30 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Hate to bring this up because I don't believe we can keep this up...
…however, the Cards have lost 6 of 7:
Milwaukee 39 30 .565 -
St. Louis 38 31 .551 1.0
Cincinnati 37 33 .529 2.5
Pittsburgh 34 33 .507 4.0
Why not?
I don’t see any reason why the Pirates can’t keep it up. .507 would put the Pirates at 82-80 for the year. Not unreasonable.
The problem is that the Brewers are on a pace to win 92. So it still puts the Bucs 10 games out for the season (though I’m sure none of us would complain about that….alright a few here MIGHT complain!)
by impliedi on Jun 16, 2011 8:55 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
let's get to 82
before the 3 game finale at Milwaukee.
I’ll be satisfied with that. The Brewers and Cards are too good.
Wat makes this even better one of the guys on 93.7 the fan said he would wash all the pirates jocks if they were .500 after 68 games
by timmyjr78 on Jun 16, 2011 9:03 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
His power to opposite field
That doesn’t work well in Pittsburgh. What about Pedro, I thought he was our power guy
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 Jun 16, 2011 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Alverez
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 Jun 16, 2011 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Somebody explain to me
why anyone cares if we’re on “SportsCenter” or not.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Find out what it means to me
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Take care, TCB
by Mr. E on Jun 16, 2011 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
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