 |
 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
Statistics |
| Unique Visitors: 52 |
| Total Unique Visitors: 270527 |
| Visitors Out: 1966 |
| Total Visitors Out: 1966 |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| The Playoff Push |
| 2008-09-22 17:35:00 |
With the Bucs off today, here's the breakdown of who I am rooting for to make and succeed in this year's postseason--from a Pirate fan perspective:------------RAYSThis is the obvious choice. A team that has never even been close to a winning season has already put up 92 with a week to play, and they have to deal with the Yankees and Red Sox day in and day out. They did it through drafting and player development through and through--things nobody applauded them for until this year. It's also fun......
|
| |
|
| This is Actually Pedro Alvarez: |
| 2008-09-22 15:22:00 |
If you listen to Rocco, you know he plays that clip nearly every time he mentions Pedro. But this one is a little more fitting today:Forgive the poor video, it's the audio that counts.HE'S A PIRATE!!
......
|
| |
|
| Pedro the Pirate |
| 2008-09-22 09:36:00 |
This is pretty stunning.-The saga is over, now, I guess. Apparently, out of the blue last night, the Pirates decided to pay a little bit more money, make the contract a major-league deal instead of minor, and Alvarez/Boras suddenly agreed. Done deal just like that. Dejan has the [details].-This is great news. Nobody wanted to give in to Boras, but the difference is very small compared to the original deal. It was nice to see Neal playing hardball, but it would have meant nothing if Boras didn't ......
|
| |
|
| PNC Goes Out With a Loss |
| 2008-09-21 16:20:00 |
Somehow I doubt it will get the coverage that Yankee Stadium's final game will get tonight, but at least we'll be back again next year.-Ohlendorf pitched pretty badly. Again. Roy Oswalt was really good. Again. There really isn't much to say today...EXCEPT for Jack Wilson's appearance. Today was really all about him. He pinch-hit for Ohlendorf and singled--prompting three giant roars from the crowd. Great for him. If you haven't yet, take a look at the GameDay post below this one.-We'll be withou......
|
| |
|
| GameDay #156 vs. Astros |
| 2008-09-21 09:11:00 |
Astros (81-73) at Pirates (65-90)1:35--PNC Park, PittsburghRoy Oswalt (15-10, 3.66) vs. Ross Ohlendorf (1-3, 6.79)[Preview]---------------The last home game is always one that I like to try and go to, but unfortunately, this is the second year in a row that I won't be able to make it. And it's not even on TV today.It's always special. The fans who come to this one are always dedicated, the players reach out to the fans afterward, everyone gathers around the Pirate dugout after the game to snag s......
|
| |
|
| Bucs Win! |
| 2008-09-20 21:49:00 |
To be honest, I didn't pay much attention to this one. The game wasn't on TV so I just checked in on the internet every once in a while.-Barthmaier didn't pitch badly but only lasted 3 innings (2 runs). His pitch count was running a bit high and he hasn't pitched in awhile, so I guess that makes sense.-The offense put together lots of hits off Brian Moehler, who lasted a grand total of 1 inning (5 runs). The bullpen held together enough, and it was raised for the 2nd-to-last home game of the yea......
|
| |
|
| GameDay #155 vs. Astros |
| 2008-09-20 16:14:00 |
Astros (81-72) at Pirates (64-90)7:05--PNC Park, PittsburghBrian Moehler (11-7, 4.33) vs. Jimmy Barthmaier (0-1, 27.00)[Preview]--------------Once again, the Pirates are playing second fiddle to college football (even though they're bringing in Lynyrd Skynyrd to sell tickets). Pitt beat Iowa today at Heinz Field, 21-20.-Don't panic at Jimmy B's ERA. He started one game and was knocked around by the Rays, Barthmaier has actually been pretty good in the minor leagues, so it's nice we get a look at......
|
| |
|
| A Game of Inches |
| 2008-09-19 20:50:00 |
Never have I seen a game in which that cliche was so relevant.-The Astros took a 2-0 lead off Ian Snell after he walked a bunch of guys. He wasn't hit hard, but these last two games have featured lots of free passes issued by Buccos.-Back to the inches theme, though:-Adam LaRoche hit a home run OFF THE TOP OF THE FENCE. Had it been an inch shorter, Bourn catches it. The FSN freeze cam was money on this--great shot of the play. 2-1.-8th inning, still 2-1. Astros have guys on 1st and 3rd with two ......
|
| |
|
| GameDay #154 vs. Astros |
| 2008-09-19 14:21:00 |
Astros (80-72) at Pirates (64-89)7:05--PNC Park, PittsburghRandy Wolf (10-12, 4.58) vs. Ian Snell (6-11, 5.69)[Preview]-----------Remember when the Astros had swept us and were back into the playoff conversation?Well, since then, Ike hit Houston, two games against the Cubs that were supposed to be in Houston were moved to Milwaukee (the closest place for Cubs fans outside of the home of the White Sox), the Astros dropped both of those games (1 total hit), then were swept at Florida.-So now they'......
|
| |
|
| Bucs Lose in Extras |
| 2008-09-18 15:31:00 |
As good as the Pirates have been in extra innings, they weren't quite good enough today. But they were darn close.-Two good young pitchers started, Maholm and Kershaw, and neither got a decision (meaning Paul will have just one more shot at a 10th win), although both pitched quite well. The score was 3-3 after nine innings that featured clutch hits by Andy LaRoche and Luis Cruz, plus lots of walks. Lots and lots of walks.-In the 10th, Nyjer Morgan was hit by a pitch leading off. After an out and......
|
| |
|
| Home Runs, Grand Slams, Two-Out Lightning, 8-Run-Innings... |
| 2008-09-17 21:12:00 |
It all helps. Tonight's game was a crazy one.-(Deep Breath)-The Bucs scored in the first after a Nyjer hustle double. They tacked on another in the 3rd (both runs via Doumit RBI singles). The Dodgers scored 4 off Duke in the 4th, two of them thanks to a 2-out walk to the pitcher. Adam LaRoche hit a solo shot to make it 4-3. The score stayed 4-3 until the 5th, when with two outs and nobody one, three straight men reached base and LaRoche sent one yard to center for the third Pirate grand slam of ......
|
| |
|
| GameDay #152 vs. Dodgers |
| 2008-09-17 14:14:00 |
Dodgers (79-72) at Pirates (63-88)7:05--PNC Park, PittsburghChad Billingsley (15-10, 3.02) vs. Zach Duke (5-14, 4.84)[Preview]-------------We could talk about this very uninteresting matchup that is likely to produce a similar outcome as last night and the night before that....OR we could talk about happier things: NEXT YEAR!-OK, maybe not happier things. But this Dodgers series is kind of awful. [Dejan] posted that we open in St. Louis on April 6 (away, AGAIN!), and the home opener will be a we......
|
| |
|
| Boring... |
| 2008-09-16 20:51:00 |
The Dodgers scored early off Jeff Karstens, added on thanks to a terrible call (on a bunt, Karstens threw to first, where Sanchez missed the scoop but picked the ball up before the runner was within a step of first, yet he was still called safe), and did not relinquish that advantage against a lackluster Bucco offense.-There really isn't much more to say about tonight. Los Angeles has the best visitors winning percentage at PNC Park.-Final was 6-2. Karstens lost his 6th straight (5 innings, 5 ru......
|
| |
|
| GameDay #151 vs. Dodgers |
| 2008-09-16 16:08:00 |
Dodgers (78-72) at Pirates (63-87)7:05--PNC Park, PittsburghDerek Lowe (13-11, 3.48) vs. Jeff Karstens (2-5, 4.46)[Preview]----------To say the least, the Dodgers have control of their own playoff destiny.Not only do they lead their division by 4.5 games with just 12 to go, the Dodgers play all 12 of those games against teams they should beat. 3 more with the Pirates, 3 with San Francisco, 3 with the Padres, and 3 more with San Francisco. If LA manages to blow this, it could possibly be even mor......
|
| |
|
| Good Things Don't Last Long |
| 2008-09-15 21:02:00 |
Remember getting swept by Houston before the Cardinals series? That was what tonight was like. Back to reality, I guess...-Ross Ohlendorf continues to encourage me less and less after a promising first outing. I don't know where the reports of his upper 90's heat were coming from, because I just saw 91-92 tops on the very forgiving FSN/PNC Park gun. He wasn't throwing strikes, either: he walked four, threw two wild pitches (one of which bounced no closer to home plate than halfway), and left pit......
|
| |
|
| GameDay #150 vs. Dodgers |
| 2008-09-15 14:59:00 |
Dodgers (77-72) at Pirates (63-86)7:05--PNC Park, PittsburghHiroki Kuroda (8-10, 3.93) vs. Ross Ohlendorf (1-2, 6.84)[Preview]-----------After essentially ruining the Cardinals' playoff quest, the Bucs have more contenders coming to town. This time it's Joe Torre's LA Dodgers, who hold a 4.5 game lead over the D-Backs, who are in the midst of a collapse of epic proportions.-You may have heard of this guy who plays for LA named Manny Ramirez. He is basically the reason Jason Bay is no longer a Pi......
|
| |
|
| Brooms! |
| 2008-09-14 15:59:00 |
Who saw this coming?The Cards come in to Pittsburgh, desperately needing wins......and get swept by a team coming off a miserable stretch??Yeah, it happened.-Jason Davis only lasted 3 innings but didn't pitch awful. TJ Beam relieved and got the win, thanks to 6 Pirate runs in the first two innings. Lots of singles today (the Bucs had 15 hits) but Nate McLouth did homer.-Apparently Doug Mientkiewicz started a mini-scrum by knocking the ball away from Aaron Miles on an attempted tag late in the ga......
|
| |
|
| GameDay #149 vs. Cardinals |
| 2008-09-14 09:33:00 |
Cardinals (78-70) at Pirates (62-86)1:35, PNC Park, PittsburghBrad Thompson (5-2, 4.61) vs. Jason Davis (1-4, 5.90)[Preview]-------------Jason Davis? Yuck.Karstens has been pushed back another day, so the great Davis will try and lead the Pirates to their first sweep in forever (since sweeping Houston on the road, I think).-That's really all I got. The Cardinals getting swept by the Pirates in the most dire of times would qualify as an epic collapse out of playoff contention. That would be cool.......
|
| |
|
| Two In a Row! |
| 2008-09-13 22:17:00 |
Woohoo!It didn't look good early when Ian Snell gave up a run in the first thanks to some shoddy defense, but the offense, amazingly, came through against a very good pitcher, Adam Wainwright. Snell would give up many more, but the Bucs came back off Wainwright, tying things 6-6 in the 5th inning.-It stayed that way until the 12th, thanks to remarkable bullpen work by both teams. I'm talking for Bautista, Burnett, Yates, Grabow, Capps, Chavez, and HANSEN. Yates and Capps were particularly domina......
|
| |
|
| GameDay #148 vs. Cardinals |
| 2008-09-13 14:55:00 |
Cardinals (78-69) at Pirates (61-86)7:05--PNC Park, PittsburghAdam Wainwright (9-3, 2.85) vs. Ian Snell (6-11, 5.54)[Preview]-----------A great viewing alternative to USC/Ohio State, right? You can't get a Pirates Military Cap by sitting at home and watching that!-Ian Snell is starting in place of Jeff Karstens, who was pushed back a day due to a "dental procedure." He can be added to the long list of injured Pirates: Tom Gorzelanny was pronounced out for the year yesterday, capping off a misera......
|
| |
|
| You Read It Correctly |
| 2008-09-12 21:43:00 |
Pirates 10, Cardinals 2.No, not Cardinals 2, Pirates 10. Not Cardinals-Pirates postponed due to rain, like basically every other game today (but there was an hour+ delay!).-This game was the complete opposite of pretty much every Pirate game in recent memory. The Bucs scored runs early, added on, and didn't give up any until it was irrelevant.-Paul Maholm cruised to his 9th win, so he has two chances to get his 10th. So much for limiting his innings: he went into the 9th (carrying a shutout, whi......
|
| |
|
| GameDay #147 vs. Cardinals |
| 2008-09-12 14:43:00 |
Cardinals (78-68) at Pirates (60-86)7:05--PNC Park, PittsburghJoel Piniero (6-5, 4.92) vs. Paul Maholm (8-8, 3.74)[Preview]-----------There have been rumblings about the Pirates maybe losing 100 games this year or not even winning again all season. That is almost understandable, considering how the team has played of late, even though there are 16 games remaining. However, Paul Maholm should make a few more starts, so I'd say we still have a chance...-Actually, it'll be interesting to see how ma......
|
| |
|
| How Bad Is It? |
| 2008-09-11 21:06:00 |
This series was so terrible that I was able to write every recap before the completion of the game. I don't like to do this, but when the Bucs are getting pounded and the game is going late, I try to summarize the game while covertly not mentioning anything that happens in the last few innings. I still watch/listen and would change something if a comeback struck, but that has not yet happened. That way I can get to bed and forget about things rather than dwell on such a miserable game any longer......
|
| |
|
| GameDay #146 at Astros |
| 2008-09-11 14:45:00 |
Pirates (60-85) at Astros (79-67)8:05--Minute Maid Park, HoustonZach Duke (5-13, 4.87) vs. Roy Oswalt (14-9, 3.72)[Preview]-----------Remember when Minute Maid Park was the place where the Pirates could never win? That was the case up until last year, where the Bucs swept the opening series there to start the year 3-0. Since, we've played well in Houston, but this week has certainly been a blast from the past. The Pirates are probably just as eager to leave the city as everyone else--a hurricane......
|
| |
|
| Not a Happy Night |
| 2008-09-10 22:44:00 |
It started when Tom Gorzelanny struggled early on (surpise!). Then he went down to a finger injury, so we were subjected to seeing TJ Beam try to keep us in the game for an even longer period of time than usual. He actually did, and the Pirates managed to tie the game, 2-2, entering the middle of the 6th.--Denny Bautista relieved, and suffered through an inning or so, surrendering the lead after loading the bases with no outs, but getting two of the outs with only one run in and the game at a ma......
|
| |
|
| GameDay #145 at Astros |
| 2008-09-10 16:19:00 |
Pirates (60-84) at Astros (78-67)8:05--Minute Maid Park, HoustonTom Gorzelanny (6-9, 6.64) vs. Brian Moehler (10-6, 4.22)[Preview]----------Let's face it, these are not the same Astros that we went 7-2 against.At that point, they had a worse record than the Pirates. Now they are sitting just four games out of the playoffs. Still a stretch, but if they make it, that's a Rockies-like run. If they don't, well, you know how I feel about that. I'm hoping they don't, because Ed Wade basically applied ......
|
| |
|
| Little "O" |
| 2008-09-09 22:13:00 |
This game was pretty encouraging for about half an inning.-The Bucs scored twice in the top of the first, thanks to a leadoff walk, two hits, and a comedic Astro error.Ross Ohlendorf took the hill. I guess I kind of jinxed him with all those positive words in the GameDay post, so he got completely shelled by the Astros. Berkman used the short porch for a cheap 3-run shot in the first, and Ross kept falling behind hitters and throwing very hittable pitches. He wasn't helped out much by defense, o......
|
| |
|
| GameDay #144 at Astros |
| 2008-09-09 15:03:00 |
Pirates (60-83) at Astros (77-67)8:05--Minute Maid Park, HoustonRoss Ohlendorf (1-1, 6.26) vs. Randy Wolf (9-11, 4.47)[Preview]----------Alright, so maybe I'm not giving the Astros enough credit. They ARE 10 games over .500 and have the best record in baseball since the All Star Break. My point is, if they do not make the playoffs (which is still a tough task for them at the moment), they will start off the next few years in worse shape than us. GM Ed Wade plundered the Houston minor league syst......
|
| |
|
| Epic Fail |
| 2008-09-08 21:41:00 |
Nyjer Morgan, in a 0-0 game in the fourth, leads off with a single. In an Astro attempt to pick him off, the throw sails wild. Nyjer cruises to 2nd and since he is super-fast also easily takes third as the ball bounces off the wall into right field. Just before he reaches 3rd, Lance Berkman finally picks up the ball. Nyjer takes a big turn around third and dances around a bit (Berkman holding the ball and staring at him) and just for some reason goes home. He was thrown out.-That is the dumbest ......
|
| |
|
| GameDay #143 at Astros |
| 2008-09-08 15:49:00 |
Pirates (60-82) at Astros (76-67)8:05--Minute Maid Park, HoustonIan Snell (6-10, 5.59) vs. Alberto Arias (0-0, 2.63)[Preview]-----------Well, the Pirates may not have a whole lot left to play for. But they can continue the city's dominance over Houston this year!-The Pirates are 7-2 against the Astros this year, despite the horrid overall mark. And we all know what happened at Heinz Field yesterday.-Then again the Astros are just as bad as....WHAT!? 76-67!? The Astros!? The same team we swept an......
|
| |
|
| A Sad Day in Pittsburgh |
| 2008-09-07 19:25:00 |
Who cares that the Steelers looked unbelievably dominant in their season-opening mauling of Houston? The much more meaningful game started just after that one ended.-The Pirates dropped an 11-6 decision to the Giants. That means loss #82. That means losing season #16 (in a row) is officially clinched. That ties a record (Phillies). That record stands for ALL MAJOR PROFESSIONAL SPORTS, not even just baseball.-Now, as much as we would have hoped the Bucs would run the table, this was pretty inevit......
|
| |
|
| GameDay #142 at Giants |
| 2008-09-07 11:20:00 |
Pirates (60-81) at Giants (61-80)4:05--AT&T Park, San FranciscoJeff Karstens (2-4, 3.62) vs. Jonathan Sanchez (8-10, 4.50)[Preview]-----------Today could be the day.Thing is, nobody will notice. This game is not on TV, and it wouldn't be watched if it was. NFL Week 1 is today (Steelers-Texans at 1) and you can bet that this rubber match will not hold much, or any interest.-Both of Jeff Karstens' wins came on the road and all four losses came at home. He has yet to have a no decision, so that......
|
| |
|
| Pirates Clinch a Non-Winning Season |
| 2008-09-06 22:49:00 |
A comment on the [Bucs Dugout Gamethread] sums up this game perfectly:"Maholm should walk over to Bautista and kick him in the nuts.[...]And Grabow."------------------Setting the scene a little bit--Paul Maholm, after giving up a solo homer in the 4th, allowed four baserunners in that same inning but allowed none of them to score. He continued to pitch well, going 6 innings and leaving the game with a 4-1 lead.-After the 7th inning stretch, Denny Bautista entered the game. Denny got an out, then......
|
| |
|
| GameDay #141 at Giants |
| 2008-09-06 15:44:00 |
Pirates (60-80) at Giants (60-80)9:05--AT&T Park, San FranciscoPaul Maholm (8-8, 3.81) vs. Matt Cain (8-11, 3.69)[Preview]-----------This game is a little more worth watching, pitching matchup-wise. It even starts an hour earlier. Sadly, it's not on TV again. I'll be listening on the way home from Pitt-Buffalo, which starts at 6 (and hopefully goes a little better than last week's quest to pound a MAC team!).-Back to baseball. Maholm is coming off a very un-Maholm-like outing, but that was a......
|
| |
|
| Pirates 7, Giants 0 |
| 2008-09-06 08:34:00 |
The quest for a winning season stays alive!-I fell asleep listening to this game on the radio sometime during the 5th inning (Bucs ahead 3-0) but two surprising pieces of news greet me this morning.-Zach Duke: COMPLETE GAME SHUTOUT! Holy cow. Yes, that's his first road win since May 2007. He was remarkable last night (got out of a bases loaded, no out situation sometime while I was still awake) and actually has pitched very well over his last TWO starts: 16 innings, 2 runs. But then again, it is......
|
| |
|
| GameDay #140 at Giants |
| 2008-09-05 14:18:00 |
Pirates (59-80) at Giants (60-79)10:15--AT&T Park, San FranciscoZach Duke (4-13, 5.14) vs. Kevin Correia (3-7, 5.35)[Preview]--------------What to say about this game? 10:15 at night, not on TV, two last place teams and not a very intriguing pitching matchup. The Giants don't even have Barry Bonds to keep us interested.-Zach Duke: the man just does not win baseball games. STILL no victories since June 9 (14 starts)--although one of those was against the Giants and he actually pitched well la......
|
| |
|
| Who Saw This One Coming? |
| 2008-09-04 14:58:00 |
For once, looking back on this Pirates game, it's very easy to say I could have predicted plenty of things that happened. Particularly the success of various pitchers (and of course, the outcome).-Reds starter Josh Fogg loaded the bases with no outs in the first inning. The Pirates got three. In the second, Chris Gomez hit his first homer of the year (yeah, that's how bad Fogg is). 5-0 Buccos.-Of course, you knew Gorzo wasn't going to do much better. He quickly allowed three runs of his own befo......
|
| |
|
| GameDay #139 at Reds |
| 2008-09-04 10:18:00 |
Pirates (59-79) at Reds (61-78)12:35--Great American Ball Park, CincinnatiTom Gorzelanny (6-9, 6.61) vs. Josh Fogg (2-7, 7.29)[Preview]---------------Wow, what a great pitching duel this game should be... Tom Gorzelanny (especially on the road--and Cincy is a launching pad) has been just awful..and he comes in facing an opponent that is somehow worse. Old buddy Josh Fogg has already lost to the Bucs once this year, so hopefully we can repeat that today and get a sweep. Gorzo beat the Reds once t......
|
| |
|
| What Losing Streak? |
| 2008-09-03 21:42:00 |
First things first, welcome to the Pirates, Ross Ohlendorf (The Big O!!). He looked pretty good in his Bucco debut, throwing strikes and getting guys out without much trouble. He gave up two solo shots 3 ER in total in 6 innings. I didn't have a great look at his pitches, but he was obviously getting the job done with the exception of a select few that Reds took deep.-Edinson Volquez was striking out Pirates like it was his job (it is), but we somehow scratched out 4 runs off him. Freddy, Doumit......
|
| |
|
| GameDay #138 at Reds |
| 2008-09-03 14:52:00 |
Pirates (58-79) at Reds (61-77)7:10--Great American Ball Park, CincinnatiRoss Ohlendorf (1-1, 6.53) vs. Edinson Volquez (16-5, 3.04)[Preview]----------The meaningless series continues, but this game has one big reason to watch:Ross Ohlendorf is making his first start as a Pirate tonight. Of course, Ross was acquired in the Yankees deal, yadda yadda yadda. He was pretty good in Indianapolis, going 4-3 with a 3.47 ERA. He throws the fastball in the mid 90's conistently, even touching 99, but the s......
|
| |
|
| |
 |
|
| |
| |
|
 |
