Cubs 6, Pirates 3

by Charlie Wilmoth on Sep 4, 2011 6:17 PM EDT

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 04: Manager Clint Hurdle #13 of the Pittsburgh Pirates argues a call with first base umpire Jim Wolf during the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on September 4, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Brian Kersey/Getty Images)

Charlie Morton had awful control today and the defense played really poorly behind him - it's a miracle that this didn't turn out worse than a score of 6-3. The Cubs left the bases loaded in the first, left two men on in the second, hit into an inning-ending double play with two men on in the third, left a man on in the fourth, and left two on in the fifth.

Morton walked five batters (in 4.1 innings) and Tony Watson and Jose Veras each walked two, giving the Pirates nine walks in eight innings pitched. They also couldn't get much going offensively despite three hits from Derrek Lee and two from Alex Presley, plus an eighth-inning homer by Neil Walker.

James McDonald will pitch tomorrow afternoon at home against the Astros, which should give the Bucs a good opportunity to get back on track.

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We need to kick arse in the next series and get a little revenge against the Astros.

パトリック

by patthatt on Sep 4, 2011 6:29 PM EDT reply actions

I thought if Hurdle had been paying attention to the game

he would have hit for Morton to start the top of the 5th. After Morton’s struggles during the first four innings it seemed pretty clear that sending him out there again was just asking for trouble. Also the decision to PH with Ciriaco to start the 7th makes me wonder whose side CH is on.

by WestCoastBuc on Sep 4, 2011 6:36 PM EDT reply actions

the game was not out of hand yet

i dont believe you will find too many managers who will pinch hit for their pitcher in the top of the 5th. I can not blame hurdle for trying to get at least 5 innings out of his starter.

as for the pedro thing, he has had a few hits in the pinch hitting rule, and with the possibility of a bunch of players coming up soon from Indy, why not let him have a few more at-bats.

by bbautista24 on Sep 4, 2011 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions

why not let him have a few more at-bats.

Because he’s terrible?

by maguro on Sep 4, 2011 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions

at this point does it really matter?

Pedro will be nothing more than a punch-line next year, oh and i have already started to think up some good jokes.

by bbautista24 on Sep 4, 2011 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s September and Indy was just eliminated from the playoffs. NH made it pretty clear that he’s bringing up some arms any day now. So, no need to spare the bullpen at this point.

by Aphthakid on Sep 4, 2011 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Indy’s season ends today anyway

Yinzers uber alles

by BostonBuc on Sep 5, 2011 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Stolen bases against

I feel like a lot of attention was paid to this last year, thanks mainly to Ryan Doumit being ridiculously bad (12%) and every other catcher doing a decent job. Overall results aren’t much different this year, though:

2010: 32/148 (21.6% CS)
2011: 29/128 (22.7% CS)

McKenry’s individual number is also 22.7% (10/44). Is it just the pitchers?

by ElDuce on Sep 5, 2011 12:21 AM EDT reply actions