Cubs 6, Pirates 3

by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 10, 2011 12:27 AM EDT

Travel day today - sorry for the lack of updates.

It's pretty nice to see the Cubs fighting in the dugout, but it would have been even nicer to pick up a win. The Brewers lost, but the Cardinals won, so now the Pirates are again one game behind both of them. The Pirates got some offense from Alex Presley, Matt Diaz and Michael McKenry, but it wasn't enough after Kevin Correia was driven from the game in the fourth.

Also, Andrew McCutchen was finally added to the All-Star team, which I felt sure wasn't going to happen after Bruce Bochy snubbed him again in favor of Andre Ethier in a move that really looked like a deliberate jab at Clint Hurdle. Well, whatever - justice was done.

Pedro Alvarez was activated and optioned to Class AAA Indianapolis, which I see has already been discussed here. Rob Biertempfel reports that Alvarez will be eligible for another option next year, so that doesn't appear to be a problem. It looks like the Pirates just want to give him a little extra time to get his timing back - that's what Neal Huntington is saying, and I really hope that's all it is. If it is, it's a shame that Alvarez has to be treated that way, but it does seem sensible, since he seems to struggle most of the time he starts a new year or at a new level.

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Seeing the crowds reaction

to cutch’s all-star nod was amazing. It was an awesome feeling. I had to pick up a cutch all-star jersey after the game i was so moved haha.
Tough loss though. We’ll get ’em tomorrow though in the rubber match.

by Buccos1992 on Jul 10, 2011 12:49 AM EDT reply actions

Seeing the crowds reaction

to cutch’s all-star nod was amazing. It was an awesome feeling. I had to pick up a cutch all-star jersey after the game i was so moved haha.
Tough loss though. Let’s get some run support for Paulie and beat up on ’em tomorrow in the rubber match.

by Buccos1992 on Jul 10, 2011 12:53 AM EDT reply actions

I got a bad feeling about this....

But I get this feeling that the good times are coming to an end. Of course I thought this when they lost 6 in a row in May and 4 in a row last month. I dunno, just a feeling that I have….

So onto my love rocket, climb, Inside tank of fuel is not fuel, but love.

by IAPiratesFan on Jul 10, 2011 1:27 AM EDT reply actions

considering they got the 10-gm meatgrinder

At the end of the month (STL, 4 at Atl, 3 at Phlly) we all feel the same way.

by BadAndy on Jul 10, 2011 1:32 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I've had that feeling for three and a half months now

I just wonder how long it can feel like we’re nearing the precipice without us every really falling off… that seems to be the theme of this year’s success: postponing a seemingly inevitable collapse, until you wonder if it really is inevitable…

…nojinx

by rennais94 on Jul 10, 2011 2:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Nice to know that we aren’t painted into a corner with Pedro on options quite yet. I had forgotten about the possible extra option. Hopefully the time in Indy gets him straight, and they won’t have to use it.

by Thunder on Jul 10, 2011 3:19 AM EDT reply actions

overbay

got benched. does this mean we are ready to move on? or atleast start jones at 1st more often.

by bbautista24 on Jul 10, 2011 4:53 AM EDT reply actions

he didnt get benched

he was the last guy to get out and the pitchers spot was due up in the next inning. double switch.

the cubs will have a RHP today, so jones is definately starting… not sure if Hurdle will have Paul in RF though

by white angus on Jul 10, 2011 7:58 AM EDT up reply actions

I gotta disagree...

Did you see overbays face? He has been hitting better too. Hurdle is sending a message to him.

by Joey Mooney on Jul 10, 2011 10:05 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

yes, i saw his face. and he was stunned.

but it was a double switch. for the record, tabata/walker/jones/cedeno have all been taken out of games by double switch this season… granted, not in the 4th inning.

the double switch worked yesterday too.

by white angus on Jul 10, 2011 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions

and yes, Overbay knows his job is in jeopardy

hes not an idiot.

by white angus on Jul 10, 2011 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't know where you got that picture from,

but it’s beautiful.

by Matt Morriz on Jul 10, 2011 9:59 AM EDT reply actions

i think its from PNC Park

i could be wrong though.

by white angus on Jul 10, 2011 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions

lol, I knew that much.

by Matt Morriz on Jul 10, 2011 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions

You actually feel bad for Pedro?

" If it is, it’s a shame that Alvarez has to be treated that way"

El Toro needs to put down the fork, and get a work ethic. At least Clint Hurdle seems to feel the same way….

“We need him to be in a (physical) condition that’s good to play, to run the bases, to hit. We need a volume of at-bats strung together that has nothing to do with home runs, OPS or slugging percentage. We need him to square up the ball and hit it hard where it’s pitched.”

Read more: Pirates’ Alvarez return detours through Indy – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/pirates/s_746082.html#ixzz1RiBGJFQS

by BigB2323 on Jul 10, 2011 10:12 AM EDT reply actions

Enough

You think “a physical condition” refers to overeating and not working hard? As opposed to, say, fully healing a strained quad? Whatever.

I guess “getting his timing back”, “adjusting to the league”, and “driving the ball to left-center field” instead of having too big a swing are all because he’s a lazy bum that eats too much, too.

by DG Lewis on Jul 10, 2011 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions

"El Toro needs to put down the fork,"

WHERE in anything that’s been posted – anywhere – does ANYONE say ANYTHING about his weight?

"We need him to be in a (physical) condition that’s good to play, to run the bases, to hit…."

D’ya think Hurdle (and NH) are maybe talking about his quad injury?

JFC – I am SO tired of this unsubstantiated “he’s fat” bullshit.

Free your ass and your mind will follow.

by cocktailsfor2 on Jul 10, 2011 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions

He's certainly not fat

Maybe just a little “big boned”….

by maguro on Jul 10, 2011 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh he’s quite a fatty

by CO_Bucs on Jul 10, 2011 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

-1

#AllTheBuntsAreBad!

by Slick1 on Jul 10, 2011 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Leyva'd better get his act together

He has made at least two major blunders recently with runners rounding third base. The gaffe last night in the first was an almost inexcusable rally killer. Nobody out with McCutchen coming up and he sends Presley. What a dumbshit move. That was the play of the game.

by ImmaculatePerception on Jul 10, 2011 10:40 AM EDT reply actions

True dat.

by MarkInDallas on Jul 10, 2011 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions

for the record, if the throw was just a foot off center, Presley would have been safe.

its not like they nailed him ten feet from home plate.

relax, this is what we SHOULD be doing. running the other teams off the f-ing field.

by white angus on Jul 10, 2011 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions

maybe he'd have been safe,

and believe me, I’m perfectly relaxed, but I do want my third base coach to know when to send a runner, and, contrary to your opinion, this was clearly not a time he SHOULD have done it. I’m all for running teams off the f-ing field, but not when:
1. It’s the first inning and you’re trailing by a run
2. the first two hitters have smoked the ball
3. your best hitter is coming up
and 4. no outs

I’m sure you’re aware that making the first or third out of an inning at third base is a cardinal sin in baseball, well, making the first or third out at home is even worse.

What we saw the other night was running into an out. Terrible coaching.

by ImmaculatePerception on Jul 12, 2011 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions