Since we had a day game today, I thought some people might be interested in one of these today?

Indy up 3-0 in the 4th inning, with Jim Negrych driving in 2 and Moss 1

Rudy Owens goes for Altoona, and has a no hitter, 1BBer through 2 IP. Still scoreless.

Bradenton down 1-3 in the 3rd with Brian leach going for the Marauders. Those hitters sure have cooled off.

West Virginia up 2-0 in the 4th- Philip Irwin with 1 hit and 1 walk through 3 IP, with 5Ks... why did I think he was promoted to Bradenton?

The Spikes and Williamsport are no-hitting each other through 4 with Fuesser having walked and struck out 4 each.

I was at the Altoona game last night and saw Matt hit a bomb. It got me thinking. This guy is having a pretty good year with a .295/.376/.451 line.  He has 12 homeruns, 62 rbis and a 45:42, K:BB ratio.  His fielding percentage is a .992.  I don't see much mentioned of him on prospect lists.  I was hoping to get a better opinion on what the Pirates and fans thought of him.  Could he be a legitiment option at 1b in a year of 2?  Thanks for your input.

Let's hope Ohlie is okay. Let's hope Ohlie is okay.


  Let's hope Ohlie is okay.


  Let's hope Ohlie is okay.


  Let's hope Ohlie is okay.


  Let's hope Ohlie is okay.


  Let's hope Ohlie is okay.


  Let's hope Ohlie is okay.


  Let's hope Ohlie is okay.


  Let's hope Ohlie is okay.


Let's hope Ohlie is okay.


Let's hope Ohlie is okay.


  Let's hope Ohlie is okay.


  Let's hope Ohlie is okay.


  Let's hope Ohlie is okay.


  Let's hope Ohlie is okay.


  Let's hope Ohlie is okay.


  Let's hope Ohlie is okay.

I threw this out there on the game thread, which may have been inappropriate. Anyway, me and a bunch of friends are coming to the 'Burgh for the Mets series in August. Was wondering if anybody could recommend a couple good bars we should hit up while we're in town. Not looking for a "Jersey Shore"-type scene even though we are in fact childhood friends from the Jersey Shore (my family moved there from Brookline when I was 7). I would especially appreciate being directed to a bar with a great jukebox (The Replacements would be too much to ask for, but we need our Bruce and Who). Thanks a million!

And the Indians are sending cash to the Tigers.

Strange also that Mike Lowell isn't attracting any attention, although I don't know what the Red Sox want for him. Assuming they'd be willing to eat money, some contender should be willing to take a flyer on him.

Too bad there's no value left for Andy Laroche, because I'd probably take a Soto for him. Not sure that his stock will have much opportunity to get higher, since I don't see where he'll play. Of course, still a useful player to have around for a year or two...

I keep telling myself the year he's having is fluky, and he's gonna get ice cold and slump any day now...But after spotting him on the ESPN ticker tonight with a 2 HR game bringing his season total to 30 already, I have to say enough is enough! I'm pleading ignorance because I haven't watched him play at all this season, but anybody that has, can you tell me what he's doing differently? I don't blame the Pirates for giving him up when they did...There was absolutely no reason to think he was going to do what he's doing now. And for a couple years after we traded him, he was doing about as mediocre as he was with the Bucs. What happened, why is he all of a sudden mashing the dejesus of the ball?It can't be for real, he couldn't of just "figured it out"...This is a fluke, right?

Or is it?

to buy a neil walker jersey. i want a new authentic jersey and have been saving for a while and dont wanna lose out on a guy that we will trade next year cause lets be honest jerseys are expensive and the pirates screw me over again and again haha. any help? or any suggestions on other safe jerseys to buy? i love neil so id love that one. thanks to anyone who can help me out and i hope im not spamming or making anyone mad by posting this here. thanks again, -nick

Thought this would be an interesting way to get different opinions from posters on our minor league strength. Feel free to pick a position then rank the top 5 Pirate minor league players that fit in at that position.

My choice is the outfield.

1. Starling Marte - tools to do it all and has been producing. If he learns some plate discipline he could become an impact player.
2. Evan Chambers - does it all but hit for average and that is misleading. This cat gets on base at a .400 clip
3. Mel Rojas Jr. - the small sample size and reviews have been excellent. He has excellent size and played in a wooden bat league. Should quickly adapt and rise up the system
4. Robbie Grossman - very young and has all the tools. Faced with adversity he has rebounded and is starting to put up some nice looking stats.
5. Exicardo Cayonez - bonus baby from the international signings.Results have been good so far.. speedy slap hitter who may mature into a legit cf with top end speed.

Overall the Bucs have some interesting OF and although it may not be or strength. It is far from a weakness and should have us talking their potential for many years to come.

OK.. it's your turn. Pick a position and  give us a top 5 or feel free to critique my list and let me know who I left out.

From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

The Braves optioned struggling center fielder Nate McLouth to Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday...General manager Frank Wren told AJC reporter Carroll Rogers that the club has activated Brent Clevlen from his rehabilitation assignment with Gwinnett...Braves manager Bobby Cox held struggling McLouth out of the starting lineup for Sunday’s game before using him as a late replacement. He has failed to produce in his return from the disabled list and done little to show the Braves that he’s the answer for center field down the stretch. They have been keeping a close eye on McLouth as the July 31 trading deadline approaches.

In a local radio interview this afternoon, Spikes pitcher Tyler Waldron, this year's 5th round pick, offered that the biggest difference between pitching in college and for State College is in his speed to the plate.  Waldron said the emphasis in college was on being quick to the plate, whereas with the Spikes the emphasis is placed on throwing a good pitch and not worrying about how long it takes to make the pitch.  Waldron said he felt rushed in college, but feels more comfortable with the Spikes because of the new focus.

There has been a lot of discussion this year at the big league level about the pitchers' inability to hold runners and be quick, yet efficient, to the plate.  The result has been that opposing runners are having their way.  Could it be that the coaching staffs at all levels are instructing their pitchers in the same fashion as the Spikes pitchers are being taught?  It would explain a lot, but it would seem to be a flaw.  If that technique is being promoted system-wide, hopefully it is to set a baseline to quickly be followed up with a system-wide "and now here is how you pitch with runners on base" course in spring training.  I know it has been discussed here that at least at the lower levels, fastball command is being stressed and other pitches are worked in over time - maybe this is another example of simplification for the youngest players or maybe this is an issue.  Thoughts?