Pirate Armada

[mister b]

Phillies 8 Pirates 7

I am going to puke, Pirates blow a 5-0 lead. Ohlendorf goes 5 2/3 and gives up 3 runs, not great but not bad.

Capps comes in to pitch the 9th with a 7-3 lead and totally blows it by giving up 5 runs, including 2 home runs. His era goes from 4.71 to 6.21 in 1/3 of an inning. Your closer cannot have an ERA like this.

I think Capps just pitched his last game for the Pirates. Or at least he should have. I don't know who to bring in to close the games but it is clear he can't do it. While he has 19 saves in 21 trys, he has a 1-5 record. The 5 losses are when he has been brought in in these situations and has totally blown it.

The look on the Pirates faces as they walked off the field said it all...the front office will not pay any money to bring in any help. The young players have nothing to play for now except their own personal stats.

Bucs got 3 homers tonight. McCutchen, Young and Jones. This was Jones's 4th home run while a Pirate in just 37 at bats.

Pirates are 38-49 with 1 game to go before the All-Star break.

I'll say it, but I have to wonder if we can ever get over a game like this.

LETS GO BUCS!!!

[Black Panther]

The ship is sinkin' fast mates....Looks like Capps may have to walk the plank after tonight. In all seriousness a very disturbing loss...

[mister b]

Phillies 5 Pirates 2

Phillies sweep the Bucs.

The only bright note is that we didn't lose any games 22-1 (like the Reds did to the Phillies).

Garrett Jones gets his 3rd homer in 3 days and has an 8 game hitting streak. Hope he can keep the average up.

The Bucs limp into the All-Star break with a 38-50 record. Only 3 teams in the NL have a worse record Padres, Diamondbacks and Nationals.

Another season of sub .500 baseball for the Bucs.

The goal for the rest of the season should be to play above .500 ball and get out of the celler in the NL Central. Plus, find a closer and a left handed power hitter that can play first base.

Lets pull the ship into a safe port, put her in dry dock and scrape the barnicals off the hull (Adam LaRoche and Capps) and get her ready for the second half.

LETS GO BUCS!!!

[Black Panther]

We may have that power hitting first baseman in Jones.He can play first,and if LaRoache gets traded and all things are pointing that way Jones would be a good replacement.God knows we wont get a Major League ready first baseman in any trade of LaRoache.That would be too much to ask for...LOL As for the closer....Who knows...I would say Capps just has enough rope left to choke himself.So,another outing or two like last night may get him shipped out....

[mister b]

I have to agree, Jones could be a replacemment at 1st for LaRoche. But, I don't think Adam is going anywhere. I think they will try and trade him but can't do it so they let the contract expire, make him a free agent and get a comp pick in the draft.

A few bright spots for the Bucs from the first half...

Defence is ranked 2nd in the NL in fielding %. (LaRoche does field first very well, he just can't hit)

Team ERA is ranked 10th. Starters are doing better than expected.

Relievers ERA is ranked 8th @ 3.88 - Capps is dragging it down at 6.21 for a closer.

Bucs are 6th in the NL with their batting average and 9th in runs scored.

Since he came to Pittsburgh, Garrett Jones is batting .310 with 5 homers in just 42 at bats and has an 8 game hitting streak. Still very early to really evaluate him but he does show promise.

Delwyn Young has made 20 starts in RF and is batting .351 (27-77) in those starts.

[mister b]

Pirates 2 Giants 1 F-14

RAISE THE JOLLY ROGER!!!

Garrett Jones with the walkoff homerun into the river! His second dinger of the night, 7th in just 12 games since the call up from triple-A. Hitting streak now at 9 games.

Paul Maholm, 8 innings pitched , 1 unearned run. Bullpen did a great job against the 4th best hitting team in the NL.

LETS GO BUCS!!!

[Black Panther]

Pirates 2 Giants 1 F-14

RAISE THE JOLLY ROGER!!!

Garrett Jones with the walkoff homerun into the river! His second dinger of the night, 7th in just 12 games since the call up from triple-A. Hitting streak now at 9 games.

Paul Maholm, 8 innings pitched , 1 unearned run. Bullpen did a great job against the 4th best hitting team in the NL.

LETS GO BUCS!!!

Jones is a player...Maybe right field is his spot for now...I'm thinking Milledge in left when he's ready...On a side note-Contract negotiations have been started in hopes of keeping Wilson and Sanchez in Pirate uniforms...

[mister b]

Ahoy mates, RAISE THE JOLLY ROGER!!! And an Iron City for the fans!

Pirates 2 Giants 0

Morton goes 7 innings, 3 hits, 0 runs, 6 K's and 2 walks. High quality start.

Jones extends his hitting streak to 10 games with a double in the 1st.

Since the All-Star break, Pirate pitchers have allowed 0 earned runs in 23 innings.

Offense is puttering along but the pitching is carrying the team the first 2 games back.

Lets break out the brooms tomorrow and get the sweep.

LETS GO BUCS!!!

[Black Panther]

Yes,...break out the brooms! What do you think of the decision to leave Milledge in the minors? This whole deal really didn't make sense and now it's making even less.

[mister b]

Pirates 2 Giants 1 F-14

RAISE THE JOLLY ROGER!!!

Garrett Jones with the walkoff homerun into the river! His second dinger of the night, 7th in just 12 games since the call up from triple-A. Hitting streak now at 9 games.

Paul Maholm, 8 innings pitched , 1 unearned run. Bullpen did a great job against the 4th best hitting team in the NL.

LETS GO BUCS!!!

Jones is a player...Maybe right field is his spot for now...I'm thinking Milledge in left when he's ready...On a side note-Contract negotiations have been started in hopes of keeping Wilson and Sanchez in Pirate uniforms...

Jones is doing good...hope it can continue.

Contract talks are now going with Freddy and Jack.

Freddy is making 6.25 mill this year and scheduled for 8 mill next year. Jack is making 7.4 and his contract clls for 8.4 next season.

IF they stay in Pittsburgh, my guess is they will have to take a multi-year deal (2 years) for less money.

Alot of rumours will be flying between now and the trading deadline of July 31.

I look for Adam LaRoche to become a free agent next season so the Bucs will get a comp pick in next years draft. He has basically played himself out of any trade since he got his last hit on July 2.

[mister b]

Yes,...break out the brooms! What do you think of the decision to leave Milledge in the minors? This whole deal really didn't make sense and now it's making even less.

I think Milledge needs to prove that his head is on right. He is hitting .472 in 9 games since he got to Indy.

Jones only had 7 games at 1st base for the Twins back in 2007. I don't think Young is ready to take over at 2nd if Freddy is moved. Jack and Freddy are good for taking a run of the other teams scoreboard with their defense. You always want to be strong up the middle and the Pirates are. I would hate to see them take a step back.

You have Gorzo and Snell in the minors. Could we see them traded to another team before July 31 for a SS, 2nd or 1st baseman?

I think Vasquez needs to have a quailty start in his next outing. If he doesn't, look for one of the above to be brought back to the Burg and Vasquez sent down for more work.

[mister b]

Giants 4 Pirates 3

Bucs rally comes up 1 run short.

Duke pitched well thru 5 but had a tough 6th. Gave up 4 runs in 7 innings.

Garret Jones hitting streak ends at 10. Time to start a new one.

Both Wilson and Sanchez reject Pittsburgh's low ball offers to redo their contracts. Can't say that I blame them for turning down the offers. Each would have gotten the same amount of money over 2 years that they are under contract for for next year. They will be traded before next season. However, there is nothing inside the organization to replace these 2.

Ian Snell, who has been pitching lights out in Indy, 1 earned run in 26 1/3 innings, says he does not want to return to Pittsburgh and wants to finish out the year in Indy or elsewhere. OUCH!

Looks like the Pirates continual rebuilding plan has worn the vets out.

At least the Bucs took 2 of 3 from the Giants. The rest of the season will be spent trying players at different positions. Moving players up and down from Indy to Pittsburgh. The Bucs are headed for their 17 straight lossing season and their 5th in a row of 90 or more losses.

Still a Pirate fan but this is getting old.

[mister b]

RAISE THE JOLLY ROGER!!!!

Pirates 8 Brewers 5

Bucs snap a 17 game losing streak to the Brew Crew. They have won 3 of 4 since the break.

Benches clear, Bucs win, Iron City for everyone!

Between these 2 teams, 6 players have been hit by a pitch in the last 9 games.

Lost some respect last night for Jason Kendall, ran his mouth too much after the game over the plunking of a Pirates pitcher.

Game 2 tonight. Pirates send out Vasquez (1-3) vs Looper (8-4). This should be a good game to watch as I think we see some more hot tempers and look for the benches to clear again. This little dustup last night may help bring the young Pirates together as manager Russell was steamed after the game. I have to work and won't get to see this one, it could be a dooneybrooke.

LETS GO BUCS!!!

[mister b]

Brewers 2 Pirates 0

Vasquez gives up 2 runs in 6 2/3. Good start. Bucs only get 4 hits - terrible.

Insiders tell me Adam LaRoche has been traded to the Red Sox for SS Argenis Diaz (AA player) and right handed pitcher Hunter Strickland who is at the A level. Not much from Adam. Probably could have done better to keep him and release him as a free agent after the season and get a comp pick in the draft.

More trading on the way. Diaz is not the answer for Jack at SS. Jack and Freddy want to stay but the front office offer was a take it or leave it offer.

Jones will play first base, Young stays in right, McCutchen in center and Moss is left IMHO. Moss will take a seat in a week or 2 when they bring up Millledge. Salazar will get booted back to Indy.

Hopefully, Bucs get the win against the Brewers and take 2 out of 3 for the series.

LETS GO BUCS!!!

[mister b]

Late breaking news....

RAISE THE JOLLY ROGER!!!!

Pirates 8 Brewers 7

Brandon Moss with the walkoff homer in the bottom of the 9th lets the Buccos take 2 of 3 from the Brewers. I missed almost all of this as I forgot it was a day game.

The Burgh has 5 homers in this game. (Where were the bats at last night?).

Not a good start for Maholm. Capps continues to walk the edge of the canyon by giving up a triple in the top of the 9th but gets the last 2 batters on K's.

Jones was at first. Good to see Andy LaRoche being the first at Home to greet Moss on the walkoff.

[Black Panther]

Nice win....Hated to hear Adam traded,but i'm not shocked...Look for Milledge to be called up now..No TV for either team today...Originally I thought the Brewers were to televise, but I found out late last night that there weren't...Oh well...

[fuzzhead]

Hey guys, I needed some help with this question because me and a friend were discussing it a few days back: when was the last time the Pirates didn't finish last in the Central? Thanks in advance.

[Black Panther]

05 or 06 I believe..I will check to be sure...

[Black Panther]

It was 2006.They finished 5th.Believe it or not the Cubs were last that year.It will take a tall task to keep from finishing in last again this year as well.

[d-5]

It was 2006.They finished 5th.Believe it or not the Cubs were last that year.It will take a tall task to keep from finishing in last again this year as well.

No the Reds are falling back to them . Oh well lets have a cold Molson