Ross Ohlendorf's Bizarro-Land Home Run Keys 6-2 Pirates Victory

by Charlie Wilmoth on Sep 16, 2011 1:22 AM EDT

I don't know which was most unlikely: the immortal Dana Eveland finally taking one on the chin against the Pirates, Ross Ohlendorf's excellent start, or Ohlendorf's three-run, opposite-field homer in the second.

Sorry, I forgot what planet I was on there for a second. Ohlendorf's homer - a hard-hit fly ball that kept carrying - was, flat-out, probably the weirdest thing I've seen all season. It isn't as if Ohlendorf is a competent hitter for a pitcher. He always looks really awkward. As Dejan Kovacevic writes while making a similar point, Ohlendorf isn't even a good batting-practice hitter. Just thinking offhand here of the strange things that have happened this season - Jerry Meals' call, Michael McKenry's homer off Carlos Marmol, Pedro Ciriaco getting a key hit the other night - nope, Ohlendorf's homer tops them all.

The Dodgers ran out an anonymous lineup that consisted of Matt Kemp, James Loney, Juan Rivera and a bunch of rookies. Third baseman Russ Mitchell, whoever that is, homered in the fifth. But other than that, the Dodgers didn't do much, striking out eight times, walking twice and picking up six hits in a positively Pirates-like offensive performance. The Ohlendorf bomb was enough by itself to sink them.

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7-100

Ohlendorf’s career numbers coming into the day. All 7 hits were singles. Ridiculous. Even Charlie Morton, who is 8-121 has 3 doubles mixed in.

by ElDuce on Sep 16, 2011 1:31 AM EDT reply actions

im sorry but.....

Jerry Meals call still mystifies me. Even more than astro-psychics.

by bbautista24 on Sep 16, 2011 1:58 AM EDT reply actions

I agree...

Given that moment completely destroyed our season. Maybe it would have happened anyway, but that’s when the wheels came shooting off.

Too bad there hasn't always been a DH...then we never would have to hear about this Ruth guy...

by Brad Spontak on Sep 16, 2011 3:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Please! Stop whining about Meals stupid blown call.

Did it suck? Duh! Was it stupid? Duh to the 10th power. But THAT was not what blew this Buccos season after the all-star break, and even saying it is just completely absurd. The wheels came off because they played like crap the second half of the season, no ifs, ands or butts. They reverted to the Pirates of last year.

by dougalmac on Sep 16, 2011 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Astro-psychics

I was going to suggest you meant astrophysics, but maybe not.

by Central*Scrutinizer on Sep 16, 2011 4:15 AM EDT up reply actions

naw man

Carlos Lee will go all tea-leaves and ouija-board on your ass if you don’t believe in Astro-psychics.

by Garrett122 on Sep 16, 2011 7:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Ohlie

has more HR than Matt Diaz.

Free your ass and your mind will follow.

by cocktailsfor2 on Sep 16, 2011 7:32 AM EDT reply actions

Matt Diaz has no more home runs than I do.

by DG Lewis on Sep 16, 2011 8:56 AM EDT up reply actions

You should

see if NH will sign you.

How are you against LHRP?

Free your ass and your mind will follow.

by cocktailsfor2 on Sep 16, 2011 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions

a better question would be

How are your bunting skills?

by bbautista24 on Sep 16, 2011 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Ha! Rec'd.

Free your ass and your mind will follow.

by cocktailsfor2 on Sep 16, 2011 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions

In Rand McNally

People wear hats on their feet and hamburgers eat people.

bestweekever.tv

by Dan H on Sep 16, 2011 10:59 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Cool!

…and rec’d

by mdsvbucs on Sep 16, 2011 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Charlie -

not to nitpick, but what was the final score?

Free your ass and your mind will follow.

by cocktailsfor2 on Sep 16, 2011 11:54 AM EDT reply actions

6-2

If you mean the ballgame.

by bucdaddy on Sep 16, 2011 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s not nitpicking. That’s always good to put in there.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Sep 16, 2011 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Opposite field too

That was just plain bizarre. Some true meaning or weird coincidence that he hit the Muscle Milk sign out there too.

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by glass0941 on Sep 16, 2011 12:33 PM EDT reply actions

yeah

if i was MLB, or even the Pirates, I’d be pulling up that list of medicines he was using while on rehab…

by BurgherKing on Sep 16, 2011 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope the Bucs' FO doesn't use this game as a basis for offering Ohlendorf arbitration after the season.

btw did you know Ross’ real first name is Curtis? It be so!

by theatrain on Sep 16, 2011 4:32 PM EDT reply actions

Meek's lack of velocity

After watching Meek pitch last night, maybe he was just rusty, but I thought at one time he could hit 95+ with his fastball. He topped out at 92 last night and that was very infrequent and he definitely looked hittable. His control was off also. What do you all make of his performance. I thought he would be a big piece of the bullpen next week, but idk.. It was fun watching the Bucs here in SoCAL since I rarely get to see them. BTW, there is a hugh Steeler fan base here, at least until last weekend!!!

by long4willie on Sep 16, 2011 4:36 PM EDT reply actions

Go to Gabe's Bar and Grill on Sepulveda

if you wanna hang out with a buncha Steeler fan…

Free your ass and your mind will follow.

by cocktailsfor2 on Sep 16, 2011 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Speaking of velo

The P-G’s game writeup suggested that Ohlie’s stuff was (much) better than it’s been in a long, long time. Can I get verification on that from anyone?

Offering arb to Ross doesn’t make much sense, but I hate to cut him lose if he’s actually getting straightened out.

OTOH, even at his best, his peripherals weren’t that great. And then there’s the health issues….

by JRoth95 on Sep 16, 2011 4:38 PM EDT reply actions

pat whygavs has what you want

He just put up a post on Ohlendorf’s velocity. Basically, it was up some, though not to his peak.

Not actually affiliated with whygavs.

by WHYG Zane Smith on Sep 16, 2011 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions

The curveball was pretty beautiful, though.

All six third strikes that Ohlendorf got yesterday were curves.

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by wg1of5 on Sep 16, 2011 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Zodo's Bowling Alley -Steeler fans watching every week

Hey cocktails, thanks for the information. If I get down towards LA I’ll check it out. Did you go to the game or are you this weekend?

JR- Ollie’s slider and/orcurve looked filthy most of the game, fast ball was high in the zone occasionally and was between 89-92 on their radar gun. I for one, would like to see him be the long distance guy next year versus starting but not sure if he would be worth the money for that.

by long4willie on Sep 16, 2011 4:55 PM EDT reply actions