Pirates 5, Orioles 4: Back To .500
by Charlie Wilmoth on Jun 22, 2011 3:28 PM EDT
Email
PrintNice win today for the Pirates, who return to .500 and leave themselves in decent shape with a very tough series against the Boston Red Sox coming up. The Bucs scored two when they started the first inning with three straight hits (including a great bunt by Josh Harrison, and I've been complaining less about some of the Bucs' bunts recently because a fair number of them have had some chance of working as hits, as opposed to merely being sacrifices).
The Pirates gave those two back in the third inning, then allowed two more in the fourth on a two-run double by J.J. Hardy. At that point, I was frustrated that the Bucs had blown their early lead. But they grabbed an extra run in the bottom of the inning on a double by Andrew McCutchen and a groundout by Neil Walker, then picked up two more in the fifth when Brandon Wood and Michael McKenry started the inning with singles and then Harrison hit a grounder that went through the legs of Orioles second baseman Blake Davis, who was making a major-league debut that I'm sure he wishes he could have back.
Kevin Correia got through six innings, striking out five and walking one but allowing four runs. The Pirates' bullpen got through three scoreless frames. The Bucs didn't need to use Jeff Karstens, fortunately, although it I was curious to see how the end of the game would play out when the Pirates used three relievers in the seventh - Tim Wood and Dan McCutchen were unavailable.
Also, the Pirates demoted Andrew Lambo to Altoona; the newly-reacquired Josh Rodriguez will take his spot at Indianapolis. Lambo had been horrific at Class AAA, so this makes sense, but it's a shame that he needs to head down - he's been at Class AA since 2008.
81 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I'll be at the Reds/Yankees game tonight!
I go to Ohio State, so Cinci is a short hour and half drive. A fraternity brother offered me a free ticket to go with him, I said, “sure, why the hell not!”
How many people at Great American Ballpark will be there rooting for the Yankees… solely because of the games impact on the Pirates? Answer: one. Yours truly.
I get your point and I can tell you that in general there will be many Yankee fans there anyway. And they will be loud and obnoxious, per usual.
"When I put on my uniform, I feel I am the proudest man on earth."
-Roberto
by blackjackfishtaco on Jun 22, 2011 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Great to be a 500 team again!
But on a sad note. What is up with Lambo? I hope he figures it out. Id be embarrassed to be replaced by JRod. BRING ON THE SOX!
by Joey Mooney on Jun 22, 2011 3:34 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
What is up with Lambo?
He’s rapidly playing his way into non-prospect status.
On the plus side, that’s one more 40-man roster spot we won’t need to use this offseason…
Yeah, if he's going to go down the crapper we might as well be sure of it before season's end.
パトリック
Still we got him for an overachieving closer
who the Dodgers kept on their roster for about 6 weeks
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 23, 2011 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
I love that this team didn’t immediately wilt after a bad series in Cleveland. Last year, they couldn’t get out of their funk in June, and by the time it was done, so was their season.
Something is different now.
No jinx no jinx no jinx.
by Suffering Buc on Jun 22, 2011 3:46 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Well technically, they did immediately wilt, but they bloomed right after. I really hope these last 2 games mean we’re out of that offensive funk.
The offense should be fine . . .
as long as we keep facing starters with bad backs and newbie infielders behind them.
You're entitled to your own opinions. You're not entitled to your own facts.
We've gotten pretty lucky lately with the defense giving us runs.
by MarkInDallas on Jun 22, 2011 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Obviously it was an infinitely makable play
But, FWIW, Harrison scorched the ball. I don’t feel as bad getting lucky on a well-struck ball; if that had been an easy two-hopper, the victory would feel a bit more hollow.
I wonder if they are thinking about Starling Marte for a promotion to Indy sometime soon.
The one thing that seems to be holding him back is his walk rate. Everything else is looking good for him. I think I would see if he could refine that issue in AAA, since he is still able to keep a .371 OBP in AA despite only taking 10 walks for a less than 4% BB/PA rate.
A Marte promotion would be great if the team thinks he's ready.
I’d love to see him in the OF mix in Pgh. from late ’12/beginning ’13.
パトリック
Pirates!
Everything that guy just said is bullshit . . .thank you
A Little Like 1997.......
Of course, there’s a ton of baseball left, but this club reminds me of the grit and determination of the 1997 team. Short losing streaks are stopped, and the club is capable of rebounding after tough losses, like the Mets meltdown. The Red Sox are tough, but San Diego took them down yesterday, and the Pods led at the moment. It’s impressive to see the Bucs have won two of the three interleague series encounters to date.
After the O’s win in the series opener, there was a stupid, mocking headline on the counterpart to this blog. It partly mimicked the “We are Family” phrase from ’79, proving some people need to show a little more imagination.
Honestly
I’ll take 1 win against Boston. A series win… I’m ecstatic. A sweep… then I’m probably dead and currently watching ROOT sports in heaven.
If lacee is in heaven ill take my chances else where
by Joey Mooney on Jun 22, 2011 4:18 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 2 recs
The nice thing is facing Boston at home with no DH.
Theoretically, all 3 of these games with Boston could go either way. Lester and Maholm is about a push right now, and the Pirates hit better against LHPs. Beckett has the flu and might not pitch or be weakened. Karstens seems to thrive under the big spotlight and could turn in another surprising performance. JMac is going to have to get back on track, but you never know what you’re going to get with Wakefield at this point.
The Red Sox might play AGon in PNC’s short right field to get Ortiz in the lineup. That could either work in their favor or against them, depending on the luck of balls hit his way.
The nice thing is facing Boston at home with no DH.
Word is that they’re going to use Ortiz at first and Gonzalez in the OF.
Especially if you adjust for strength of schedule, as well as the fact that Maholm will be facing Murderers’ Row and Lester will be facing a t-ball team.
You're entitled to your own opinions. You're not entitled to your own facts.
if we're a t-ball team
overbay is the kid that closes his eyes, smacks the sh*t out of the tee and hits the ball about 3 feet.
top o' the 9th in milwaukee
tampa 6 cryin ryans 2
It Gets Better
Or it could, anyway. Milwaukee’s done for the day, just 3 games ahead of us. Both the Reds and St. Lou play teams better than themselves tonight. If all goes well (Go Yanks! Go Phils!), we could wake up tomorrow tied for 3rd place, 3 behind MIL and 2.5 behind STL.
Granted, we’ve got a tough weekend ahead of us, but a man can dream, can’t he?
i like to remember the Yankee series in 2008
when we took 2 out of 3… I remember Maholm pitching 7 inn of 2 run ball in the series decider…
Well, the Padres gave the Red Sox trouble
I’d be thrilled with two out of three.
"Throw strikes, but don't give him anything good to hit."
by RichieHebner on Jun 23, 2011 12:48 AM EDT up reply actions
In some ways it’s fine to go after still-considered-prospects-but-have-seen-better-days. The mistake is going after ones that have ALSO been mismanaged, like Lambo. Seems like he went through the system too fast without taking the time to develop, etc. AA since 2008? Yikes.
He is still age appropriate for AA though,isn’t he?
by BarryJT on Jun 22, 2011 7:12 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
No, he’s not too old to turn things around. But there have been concerns about his “makeup” since high school, which is why he fell to the fourth round. Also, he doesn’t project to be the type of 25-to-30 homer guy you want in the outfield, and he doesn’t make up for that deficiency with athleticism.
Well we don't have any outfielders -- present or near future --
that are going to hit 25-30 HRs that you want from an outfielder. We’re gonna be the exception to the rule for the forseeable future (unless we trade for a power bat).
That’s true. At least Gorkys, Marte and Presley have other tools. Lambo can’t run, field or throw particularly well. He’s an all-bat prospect, so he really needs to rake.
actually, Lambo can throw very well, and he runs good too...
just ask Cocktails. he’s seen him.
by white angus on Jun 22, 2011 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't remember writing anything about his arm, which I think is prolly just average,
but I thought he was pretty quick.
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Jun 23, 2011 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Power != home runs. Andres Torres had a higher ISO than Prince Fielder last year, despite hitting 16 home runs to Prince’s 32.
by thecheeseisblue on Jun 22, 2011 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Two big wins in a row...
Now if we can just get through the Red Sox/Blue Jays gauntlet with 2 wins in 6 tries I’ll be excited heading into the stretch thereafter with the Nats, Cubs and Astros dotting the schedule.
Good day.
I'm going to bet 3/6
I’m guessing that we’ll be able to win one against the Sox and two against the Jays. We’re going to hold on to our .500, Uncle Nate.
Nice
I like seeing the optimistic and confidence in this blog for once. love it
age of last winning season: 5
So what's the over/under date?
Let’s see, they’re scheduled to play their 114th game on August 8 (vs. the Giants). If miraculously, they’re still .500 at that point, it would be their 57th win – unless they were over .500 the day before, of course.
Is there anyone who’d take the underª on 8/8? Who’ll take the over on, say, 8/31?
Personally, I could see them still being at .500 by 8/8, but I wouldn’t bet on it, either way. Even at my most optimistic (the pitchers don’t regress! Doumit, Pearce, and Pedro all come back and rake! We trade Ciriaco for Reyes and Beltran!), I think I’d take the over on 8/1. All of which is to say that they should top their 2010 win total sometime during August, probably in the first half or two-thirds.
ª that is, they’ll get to 57 wins before then
Was at the game today
Did anyone else think Wood looked like a statue at short? (except, I guess for the rifle shot he pulled in)
non sequitor alert
During last night’s game I turned to my wife and said “If McKenry gets a hit here, we’ll win.” He did and we did. This afternoon I said to the guy next to me, “If McKenry gets a hit here, we’ll win.” He did and we did. McKenry’s hitting streak could take us to the World Series. All need is for him to hit safely in the next 88 games…
But he is hitting over . 290 with an OPS over .750 in June so I’ll take that.
by BarryJT on Jun 22, 2011 7:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Yeah
Amazingly, according to both wRC+ and OPS+ he’s been above-average at the plate for the month of June — and that’s without a ridiculous BABIP (.333 on balls in play, which is well above-average and waaaay above his career total but not ridiculous). Anyone can have a hot month — except before June you probably would’ve said “except Brandon Wood.” Small sample size still, but I’m off the “dump Wood when we need a spot” bandwagon. Unless of course he starts sucking again by the time we need a spot.
Not actually affiliated with whygavs.
by WHYG Zane Smith on Jun 22, 2011 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Searage is the pitching coach!?
Although he has been so genius this year, maybe he should take over all of the coaching.
by Central*Scrutinizer on Jun 22, 2011 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions
well, hot for him
Not actually affiliated with whygavs.
by WHYG Zane Smith on Jun 23, 2011 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions
I heard
Beckett might not pitch due to the flu.
And Rudy Owens bombed again than left in the 3rd after getting hit in the hand with a liner.
#AllTheBuntsAreBad!
The bad news is that Rudy Owens got hammered again…8 H, 4 R in 2.1 IP…Justin Wilson is actually on in relief. And he was the scheduled starter for tomorrow.
if Owens can turn the ship around and learn how to pitch to these better hitters, then it WILL be a good season
we cant expect him to pitch every game like he did the last 2 seasons. a good way to judge a player is to see if and how he recovers from failure.
by white angus on Jun 22, 2011 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions
If Rudy is getting hammered before games
he’s going to keep giving up a lot of hits.
Maybe we need to dispatch Cocktails to teach him how to hold his liquor?
Hey, if the Indians wanna put me on the payroll...
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Jun 23, 2011 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Hey, did I hear right?
I heard somewhere that Rudy Owens got hit hard tonight, is that true?
by impliedi on Jun 22, 2011 11:03 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Bad news...Rudy Owens was hit hard.
http://bleedblackandgold.com/
by Say Hey Johnny Ray on Jun 23, 2011 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions
One more nice thing about
taking this series from the O’s….
Last year at this time, the Pirates were 25-50. The reason they had fallen so badly was that we had losing streaks of 7, 5, 12 – yes, almost two freaking weeks without a win – and we were in the midst of a 6-game losing streak about this time.
This year, the Pirates have had a single six-game losing streak (no jinx!!) and we just fought back from our second longest losing streak – 4 games – to get to .500.
I’m no sports psychologist, but I’m a blogger, so I’ll offer an opinion anyway. It’s got to be a little more enjoyable to wake up and go to your job when there’s a good chance you’ll have a positive feeling about your day’s work.
What does that mean?!
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Bucs Dugout
Related FanShots on Bucs Dugout
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Baseball Nation Recent Stories
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- College player makes impossible over the fence catch to save tournament game (Video)
- Security!: Camden Yards guard collides with Royals’ Mike Moustakas
- The Juice: Nelson Cruz matches career high eight RBIs, Pujols stays hot in Seattle
- Benches clear at Fenway as Red Sox-Rays rivalry heats up
- Keeping good company: Albert Pujols becomes fourth-youngest player to hit 450 home runs
