Pirates 7, Astros 5, 11 Innings: Alex Presley Comes Up Big Yet Again

Pedro and Andy Marte have gone deep. 2-2 in the 5th.

A) Presley continues to impress me. He’s putting the ball in play, setting the table at the top of the order, coming up with clutch hits, and playing great defense/getting good reads on the ball. He’s been a perfect leadoff man so far, and I believe he’ll continue to do so.

B) There’s no reason for this team to trade for an OF. Obviously Cutch has CF locked down. Presley should play everyday and will be a solid major leaguer. RF can be held down by a combination of Jones/Diaz/Paul until Tabata is back, hopefully in a few weeks.

C) B Wood should be in the lineup more whether it be at SS until next weekend when Cedeno is slated to get back or 3B until Pedro figures things out in Indy, assuming he does at all. Wood’s power provides some “thump” to the bottom of the order + his defense is solid.

D) The biggest need for this team outside of a power corner IF bat is a reliable 8th in reliever. There has been some rumbles that the Bucs are looking for pricely this. Veras and his control problems are to the point where he can’t be trusted in high leverage situations. Names available: Mike Adams (SD), Tyler Clippard (WSH) and Brandon League (SEA).

E) A solid UT IF man could do this team good + be able to send d’Arnaud down for more seasoning. Jeff Keppinger/Jamey Carrol are two guys that could be had cheap and could back up/spot start at 3B/2B as well as emergency SS.

Swing at strike three over your head,thanks alot douche. Oh well 1/2 game out I will take it

This isn’t much of an exaggeration. Lee looks about a burrito away from 280 to me.

The team will be better when Ronny, Doumit, Pedro, Tabata and most importantly a healthy Meek make a return. I don’t believe they should trade for anyone if they all can be back in august. The talent is not out there. Overbay has looked good in this series. Wood looks like a great backup to Ronny and Pedro. I don’t see anything on the market the Pirates can get and not lose a very good prospect. I am all for improving this team and making a push but this team is pretty good player for player when healthy.

Shawn Marcum, who has been their ace as Greinke had been a bum, left today’s game with what is being called a “strained neck.” Hopefully it’s something significant that will keep him out an extended period of time.

Pearce and Pedro both with HRs tonight. Indy tied 4-4 in the 8th.

The Pirates remind me of Custer at the Little Big Horn… fighting off the enemy to the last man with ammunition running out. What I don’t understand is what is taking so long to get Pearce and Cedeno back? Cedeno is just starting rehab 15 days after going on 7 day DL. For cripe sakes, Pujols came back 15 days after fracturing his wrist, with no rehab. Dontrelle Willis is on the hill tomorrow, and we sure could use the Pearce RH bat in the lineup. Chase is struggling offensively; time for some AAA instruction. Hopefully, someone can explain why the club is dragging their collective feet on bringing up the replacements for the guys who have performed yes, but have reached their MLB-capable limit.

may actually BE ready. He’s homered 3 times in the last 4 days in Indy. Although from Biertempfel’s tweets earlier in the day, it sounds like we shouldn’t expect Pearce or Cedeno until next weekend.

Their fans are obnoxious.

Why has Pearce been playing everywhere? Are they that worried about Tabata? I don’t see the Pirates moving Overbay I think he could be a big reason the Pirates can win against the teams coming up. I will take some Pearce on third though!

3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K, 1 HBP

His control has been better than I expected.
Any word on where he is velo wise?

if we’re gonna keep pace with everybody else in the division offensively the second half of the year.

Fortunately, we played the Astros today and they gave us the game. But we’ve gotta start making better contact.