@Bob: What happened to the blog item about the Paterno bio? I was planning to read it later and now I can't find it.

...

But beginning with the second half of last season -- .225/.320/.359 -- his play declined abruptly and continued this season to the point he has spent time in the minors.

And the Pirates traded for him why?

@Steve -

Fear not, the Paterno stuff is in lots of places, Yahoo! for example.

...
The Pirate cheerleaders have an explanation for the stolen bases. (Don't they have an explanation for everything?)

Walk says most of the responsibility for stolen bases is on the pitcher(s), and the Pirates have chosen not to emphasize that this season.

Sanchez has seven hits, all singles, in 24 at bats. There’s been scant sign of extra-base or home-run power.
----------
Yet some have proclaimed him an upgrade.
Strange and unusual indeed......

Minor quibble, but Kershaw has never won a game vs. the Bucs. He's 0-1 in 5 starts with a 3.00 ERA. In the game you cited from April, Kershaw was lifted after the Bucs tied it up 1-1 in the 7th. Jansen got the win in relief.

written by Max, August 15, 2012 - 04:55 PM

@Steve -

Fear not, the Paterno stuff is in lots of places, Yahoo! for example.

Yes, and the new, uglier stories about the widening federal investigations (i.e. beyond Sandusky) can be found other places as well, including radaronline.com and the Huffington Post. But not the PG.

I stated this on an earlier thread but it bears repeating. The philosophy of the organization is for the pitchers to not worry about holding runners on, but to concentrate on the batter instead. That philosophy is why the CS rates for the Pirates catchers is so abysmal. I have no clue what the rate was for Barajas last year, but would be willing to bet it was better. I have no idea what Doumit's rate is this year but would again be willing to bet it is better. It may very well be time for a change in philosophy.

Oh no, Kershaw tonight, really? 10Ks at least. Considering the Bucs have been doinated recently by MLB scrap heap material, it's going to get uglier. This team is becoming difficult to watch again and I'm getting tired of wasting my evenings on them.

In a contest of integrity and honesty between the PG, and the 2 gossip sites mentioned, there is no contest.

Sanchez has been, at best, a wash at this point. Higher upside than McGehee but as Bob states, he needs to step up.

Max, to your question of why acquire him, I think they saw a chance to get a simlar player to McGehee who was younger and, yes, less expensive.

They have stated that they have been watching him for years and liked him.

While I think they'll lose tonight versus Kershaw, I do like the lineup. Although, I'd still rather see Walker in the 5 hole with either Harrison or Mercer #2.

Hopefully Pedro/Gaby will get it together one of these days.

For the next two days, I'm just really counting on Reds/Cardinals losses, then the Buccos can start winning again.

If they end up in the Wildcard, I pray it's not versus the Dodgers or Braves.

Felix Hernandez has a perfect game thru seven.

Doesn't the sudden collapse of Gaby bare an eerie resemblance to what happen to Nate McLouth? Its like a switch just turned off.

Hopefully, we can flip the switch back on! We need something to help, and no help seems to be forthcoming from the F.O. who appear to be content to wait for Sept. call ups.

@Max and Daq:
Considering the relative cost--Gorkys and his .083 average vs. a guy with a .292 avg. (albeit all singles), can you offer rationale as to how it is NOT an upgrade? That, along with at least SOME semblance of pedigree, Max, is why we traded for him, I suspect. My thoughts on Gaby. Not lighting it up by any stretch, but for the cost of an extremely light-hitting 8th inning defensive specialist, doesn't it seem worth the gamble?

Dodgers division chances just went up. Melky suspended 50 games.

Daq,

Would you rather have 3 for 31 McGehee before the trade or 7 for 24 Sanchez? The only thing strange and unusual would be to want the guy who was hitting below 100.

As always, I remain FASCINATED by the dynamic of this blog.

I made the above posting several hours ago, and now find it with a rating of (-12).

NEGATIVE 12??? For pointing out that although the Bucs are playing poorly they still have a winning record since the break...are still having a good year....and have a reasonable chance for the post-season.

What in THAT warrants this flood of negativity??

Oh...yeah....I suggested that we stop whining about ownership and management.....and enjoy our first pennant race in a generation.

I suggested that we stop bitching.....and enjoy!!


HOW DARE I?????

Over the past 4 years I've learned to embrace the minuses, with a little help from Elvis Costello:

"Well I used to be digusted
but now I try to be amused."

While getting AJ Burnett was a genius move, the other off season move by NH join the list of poor off season moves. Sign Bedard and let Maholm go big mistake. Sign Barajas and let Doumit go another mistake. Doumit is hitting much better and throwing better.

matty,

I don't think one cam argue the cst. The bigger question is Sanchez versus McGehee.

I'd rather have McGehee NOW but I like the gamble of Sanchez and seeing if he can regain his previous form. I'd just rather see him try to regain it as a PH or at Indianapolis.

Especially given what they got from the Yankees. I fear it was nothing more than a salary dump.

I'm probably not going to add anything new to what has already been mentioned, but count me in the "McKenry should play most days" camp.

A lot has been made about what Barajas brings to the game in terms of his rapport with the pitchers, but that is too bad. His average is closing in on what a pitcher hits, and I don't think he gives the team the best chance to win. Does anybody think that AJ Burnett (or anybody else) is not going to be able to throw strikes just because McKenry is in there? They are Major League pitchers, they will get over it. It is not like any of these guys have developed a relationship with Barajas over 10 years or something like that, he is new and so are most of the pitchers.

McKenry should be in there 60% of the time minimum and I wouldn't have a problem with 100%. There is nothing tangible in terms of statisics (offensively or defensively) that would suggest otherwise. Barajas can still hang out with the pitchers after the game if they are so close.

With the playoff slipping through bob nutting green fingers, what does Hurdle have to work with in the #4 spot? SANCHEZ

Bob,

I mentioned (I believe yesterday) that I thought the F.O. was concerned about Indy and its playoffs, and that was the reason I felt that many call ups were not being made. You disagreed with me, with sound reasons of your own.

Now I find this at PiratesProspects:
“It is a challenge,” General Manager Neal Huntington said. “I’ve been with another organization where we raided the Triple-A team as it was headed to the postseason and then the guys came up and didn’t play very much. Then I’ve been in an organization where we didn’t bring up many guys and it seemed like we needed a different guy every night than the ones we brought up. It is a challenge. You want to be respectful of what Indianapolis is doing, and what they’ve done, but at the same time you want to make sure you put yourself in a position to win here in Pittsburgh.”

So it does appear that Indy has a role in their decision making, and perhaps more then it should have. And I am a firm believer that you can't be a master to all, and it should be Indy be damned.

Or am I reading something wrong here?

LJS

Felix is perfect thru eight.

You're right about Sanchez. He needs to deliver.

I've heard reports of a Pirates player's meeting today before BP. Good move after last night's sad team effort. But for a step-up game, too bad they're up against one of the best pitchers in the game tonight. Of course, if they respond and get to Kershaw, it will mean even more.

Hunter Pence is really, really struggling. .186 coming into this game and hitless again.

He's really fighting it right now.

When these players have such a dramatic decrease in power hitting, and start rolling singles through the infield, it raises eyebrows in this day and age. In the absence of injury, it is extremely puzzling.
Giles was the poster boy for this, as was Sammy Sosa. Hopefully this is not the case here and it is just some flukey hitch in his swing. But Barmes has shown more punch than Gaby!

Barney,

FWIW, on the Dodgers gamecast Monday nght Steve Lyons talke a while about the deal. I believe he likes sanchez and talked about how his bat wasn't making contact with the ball out in front of the plate but too far back in the hitting zone. Who knows?

Top of the 9th here in Seattle.

Felix going for his perfect game.....10 Ks.

Of course....game blacked out!

So Huntington's more concerned with bragging about his farm system? What happened to the Aaron talk regarding Tabata?

KING FELIX IS PERFECT!!!!

Perfect game for Felix Hernandez!

written by BFD, August 15, 2012 - 05:42 PM
With the playoff slipping through bob nutting green fingers, what does Hurdle have to work with in the #4 spot? SANCHEZ

written by better days coming, August 15, 2012 - 05:50 PM
Hunter Pence is really, really struggling. .186 coming into this game and hitless again.

or McGehee: .234.302.392.693?

Me, I would bat Cutch leadoff, drop Marte to 7th, Pujols 3rd and Bautista cleanup.

My Lineup:
1. Marte, LF
2. Harrison, 3b
3. McCutchen, CF
4. McKenry, C
5. Walker, 2B
6. Jones, RF
7. Sanchez, 1B
8. Mercer, SS
9. Rodriguez, P

I'm sick of seeing hitters at cleanup because they've shown 'power potential'. How about someone showing power numbers today!?!?!

In addiion to Sanchez, Wandy also needs to deliver tonight.

With Melky Cabrera gone for the year for failing a PED test, McCutchen's chances at a batting title got a little better. I could be wrong, but I think Cabrera is 10 plate appearances short of the 502 needed to qualify for the title.

I'm no fan of Bobby Valentine but what the Bosox players pulled on him really stinks. I don't think I've ever seen a bigger bunch of pompus asses than Pedroia, Beckett, Gonzalez, Ortiz and some of the other self-absorbed players in the Boston clubhouse.

I did not like the Casey McGehee trade from the get go, and the play of Sanchez isn't making me like it any better. That particular trade made absolutely no sense to me at all. I realize Sanchez was not the player directly aquired for McGehee, but obviously he is the replacement for him.

I notice that Pedro is not in the lineup tonight. Despite his recent lack of the long ball, I still don't see how you can sit him at this point in a pennant race. He needs to be in the lineup every night, for better or worse. The Pirates do not have the luxury to sit him.

SF's Melke Cabrera suspended 50 games for juicing. Puts a big hole in their lineup!

In 12 fewer AB Pedro has more than TWICE as many HR
and almost TWICE as many RBI as ALL-UNIVERSE Bryce Harper.

Wonder if Nat's GM Mike Rizzo takes the kind of crap that Huntington does??`

Gosh. I wonder if they're panisking in Tampa bay like they are here. Rays get a perfecto with 12 K's thrown at them, have lost 2 in a row and have fallen to third place, with a worse record than the Pirates.

WHOA! Just saw a report that dozens of Rays fans have jumped from the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in despair.

Must be due to their payroll.

Looks like Hurdle is "protecting" Barmes after getting booed again last night. As Chuck Noll said, whatever it takes.

That 400 figure is thrown around a lot and some of it is definitely attached to Huntington. But he came into a terrible situation and almost immediately traded away the entire team. I believe that to be a correct strategy. I think this information must be included when talking about the 400 losses. -- Bob Smizik
-----
HOGWASH 
Here you go mentioning the horrible situation again.  If you mean working under the nutting salary cap, then i agree, but i know you are referring to DL's run as GM, which is why i continue to point out that as aweful as he was, the 3 best position players on the team are HIS. 

Additionally, tearing the roster apart was not the only solution & losing close to 400 games in a 4 year span is PUTRID regardless of the circumstances.  

Lets also remember the rewards nutting reaped by tearing apart the roster & having a payroll in the 30 million range. 

One last thing.  This roster as currently constructed IS NOT a product of the "plan".  

GOOD GRIEF

Perhaps in 19 years of losing seasons their fans will react as ridiculously as some of us....

What the hell just happened with my last post?

Gosh. I wonder if they're panisking in Tampa bay like they are here. Rays get a perfecto with 12 K's thrown at them, have lost 2 in a row and have fallen to third place, with a worse record than the Pirates.

WHOA! Just saw a report that dozens of Rays fans have jumped from the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in despair.

Perhaps in 19 years of losing seasons their fans will react as ridiculously as some of us....

TRIVIA TIME!!!!

As I type this...how many ML third basemen have MORE HRs than Pedro???

Time for Wandy to step up. JMac appears done, Bedard offers little, I think we can name the staff A.J. And the?????

Pedro and his 2rbi's in a month must step up.

Barajas and under Mendoza line average must step up.

The entire bullpen must step up.

"I used to be disgusted,
now I try to be amused"

--must have been a one time Pirate fan.

Barajas for Doumit?

Doumit had shown himself to be injury prone for than one season, and would have cost about twice as much as Barajas this year. Same for Snyder.

Barajas may not be a good addition, but Doumit and Snyder were not bad subtractions.

I know that Garrett Jones doesn't have a good record against left handers, however at this point in time he is a better cleanup hitter than Sanchez.

@Curmedgeon

He's one PA short.

So they will mathematically give him the extra appearance.....with no hit.....and re-calculate.

That will give him a final average of .34565

7 - 24 is better than 3 - 31 - which are the numbers McGehee finished with as a Pirate (I believe I read that somewhere)

I liked McGehee - preferred to keep him a Pirate - but he struggled to even put the ball in play

but forget the numbers - just watch them at the plate; Sanchez better form and mechanics

Sanchez is younger

Sanchez costs less

Sanchez should be with the team next season


Sanchez was worth the risk

.

Sid Bream will be at the game this evening - maybe he will bring luck to the Pirates
.

Is there someplace online I can listen to the Dodger announcers call the game?

@Miami,

Jonesy is 2 for 8 with a HR career against Kershaw.

Gaby is 1 for 4 with a HR.


A push offensively; Gaby has better D.


I have no problem with this choice.

Max,

I think all broadcast rights are controlled by MLB. May want to check the web site.

@Devlin

Concerning Cabrera and the batting title....

So if no one else hits above .34565, Cabrera wins the batting title while on suspension for failing the league's PED test? Shades of Braun and the MVP last year.

I would prefer to have Jose Tabata in rightfield tonight rather than Garrett Jones.

Tabata has a .718 career OPS against lefties. Jones career OPS against lefties is .600. Even as bad as Tabata was this year before being sent down, his 2012 OPS against lefties is better than Jones', .649 - .595.

If every pitcher in the major leagues was left-handed, Garrett Jones would not have a job.

written by Joe_Devlin, August 15, 2012 - 06:19 PM

Wonder if Nat's GM Mike Rizzo takes the kind of crap that Huntington does??

Rizzo has done a good job of putting ML players around Harper.

Neal, not so much.

However, the same people saying give up on Pedro now are the same people (in many instances) who complain about giving up on Bautista then.

Turnaround Night tonight! Stop the bleeding....

Go Bucs

Speaking of Harper, 0-5 today. Now hitting .245.

Mike Trout > Bryce Harper

Maybe Hurdle got as tired of Balvarez-Barajas-Barmes (killer b's) as I did yesterday?

How about giving Mercer-McKenry-McJayHay (killer m's) 3 or 4 days straight in the lineup to see what they can do, rather than yanking them around all the time?

Barmes and Barajas have had plenty of time to show what they are and are not capable of. And please don't tell me you can't sit a journeyman SS because of 7 weeks of barely acceptable hitting.

No depth will kill you. This team has no depth and if this injury to Walker is bad, stick a fork in this team.

Barajas may not be a good addition, but Doumit and Snyder were not bad subtractions.

Doumit has 14 HR on the year and a .839 OPS. His batting average is .297. I would take McKenry/Doumit as my catching tandem over Barajas/McKenry.

Okay boys....NOW is the time to step up!!!

You CAN!

AND YOU WILL!!!

I think Wandy has to step up tonight. (Is he Wan-Rod? Just does not have a good ring to it. How about Dee-Rod? A little better).

Dee-Rod needs to show that he is a top three rotation guy and tonight is the night to do it. He needs to throw with confidence. To me, he has been hesitant like he would rather be back with the 'Stros

I would personally bat Sanchez 7th or so and get him out of "cleanup" as the 4 hole implies that you need to always hit with power.

Did I mention that I like this lineup?

Was Chris Johnson ever considered in a trade to the Bucs? When we played 'Zona, I did not realize till game three that it was THAT Chris Johnson that practically single-handedly tortured us in Houston.

IF the Buccos can right the ship tonight, it would be a HUGE confidence boost against a legit ace -- like when we beat Cinncy's closer back in late June.

Lets get 'em tonight matey's

Well, now the bench is down to three - there will be some moves made tomorrow for sure.

Wandy is not effective so far and I don't think the "players only" meeting was too effective that they had today.

I agree with Sharky. If Walker is out for more than a couple of weeks, its over. His bat was one of the things that was fairly consistent.

Jonesy.....at least....NOT as bad an outfielder as Sutton.

That is true Miami but the Pirates didn't want to pay Doumit's option even though they were responsible for the terms of the contract in the first place. If he wasn't so injury prone, he might have been worth his option.

Kdro goes down swinging with 2 of the pitches nowhere near the strike zone. He is beyond horrible against lefties.

Dislocated finger.

We MAY have just dodged a season-ending bullet.

Joe, is that verified? It looked more like a wrist injury on TV.

ANSWER:

Of ALL MLB third basemen this season.....only ONE....Miquel Cabrera.....has more HRs than Pedro.

So....

-he's our third baseman
-he's going nowhere

START PULLING FOR HIM TO SUCCEED.....NOT FAIL!

I think Doumit is where he needs to be, in the AL, where he can DH enough to preserve his body. That said, I couldn't find his splits based on if he's catching or DH'ing.

Damn shame about Walker.

Who cares that Alvarez has more home runs than other third basemen? How does his BA stand up?? And, he has 2 rbi"s the entire MONTH OF AUGUST.
HE STINKS.

YAY Gabby finally gets an Xtra base hit.

Right from Steve Blass' mouth!!

Hey Miami....is a double from your #4 hitter good enough for you??

Bob, I think you should change one of your previous posts.

Clint Hurdle just proved he's not the sharpest tool in the shed by inserting Pedro in the 2 hole following the Walker injury.

I sware, sometimes this guy just throws stuff at the wall hoping that it will stick.

Tell me why the Fort gets less starts than Barajas.

Now THAT double was worth something because the next 2 guys sacrificed him to score.

Ever look at McKenry's minor league record?

40 HRs 165 RBIs over 2 years.

If you overlook his "stature".....the power not entirely surprising.

Regardless of whether Walker is out for the year with a broken wrist or a week with a dislocation, NH should at this moment be scouring other rosters for an infielder. He should've been doing it already but now it's even more imperative.

I hear SF is in need of an outfielder.

Jones almost drove one out, but he got the sac fly. Good AB...nice to see him put the wood on lefties.

yes - double had worth - as opposed to the 'worthless double' hit by Snider last night

lol
.

Just give Walker some testosterone for that finger. I hear Melky might have some left.

GetAGrip,

Alvarez is batting second because he replaced Walker. The only other option was to bring Barmes in to play short and move Mercer to second. But that would have resulted in Barmes batting second.

Say what you want about Cabrera and his juicing...at least he owned up to it and didn't make up some lame story about the testing procedure.

I don't think NH could find anyone that fast for tomorrow's game out there in waiver land. Probably going to call someone up for the bench at least because the bench population is getting smaller.

Yes....if you hit a double....do so IN FRONT of a good RBI guy!!

Rodriguez struck out the one batter 2 times - but batter gets a walk thanks to ump

ball hit to Jones should have been out #3
.

Jones muffs a fly ball; comes up short on a throw to home.......NO PROBLEM.

If it had been Snider.....the TROLLS would have been out in force to eviscerate him.


BEAT 'EM BUCS!!!!!

Thanks to the ump? Blaming the umpire is a silly excuse...Pirates have recieved plenty of calls this season and they will always equal out.

A fish called Wandy.

@Wandy:

Run the fricken ball out!!!!!

@Starling

NOT exactly a SPRINT!!!

If your players-only meetings tire you out....maybe you should stop having them????????????

Already two inside pitches by Kershaw called strikes and Wandy throws the exact same pitch and it is call a ball and results in a walk and a run. We are not getting treated the same!

jogs to first base

two hits to the opposing pitcher

really ?

I've seen enough - rather see Locke pitch
.

I have seen enough. Hope Hurdle has the bullpen on speed dial. Wandy is getting smacked around - and this makes him better than who on the staff?

The RMS Jolly Roger has hit an iceburg. The ship is taking on water. SOS.

The collapse is in full swing.

I was flly in favor of the Rodriguez trade, but he's a gigantic piece of dookie. What a horrible trade that's turned out to be, as he's no better than any number of guys who could've been gotten for less.

The season's over.

Hurdle a little slow to get a pitcher throwing in the bullpen

pitcher gave up 2 hits to the pitcher - before the end of the 4th inning
.

Spring training is just six months away

The Buccos are getting absolutely SPANKED!
This is not good.

No one asked me but... a couple of weeks ago I predicted that by Mid August the Pirates would be out of contention. - I'll re-post it in a second...

I wish it weren't so but I think the wheels just fell off the bus.

TEll me again how great Neal's deals were?

Turn out the lights.

CUTCH!!! The slump is over!!!

Gaby has learned the FIRST rule of Pirate baseball....

RUN THE FRICKEN BALL OUT!!!!!

Why is it that some people on this blog think it's acceptable to call other people names and act so righteous?

NEALS DEALS:


Andrew: 6yrs $51.5m



How's that???

You gotta hand it to Wandy, what he lacks in pitching, he makes for with lack of hustle.

written by GetAGrip, August 15, 2012 - 07:39 PM
Bob, I think you should change one of your previous posts.

Clint Hurdle just proved he's not the sharpest tool in the shed by inserting Pedro in the 2 hole following the Walker injury.

So you have no knowledge how baseball substitutions work? But you feel qualified to criticize the manager. Amazing

Marte & McCutchen.....

Are there 2 YOUNG outfielders you'd rather see play in the field????

CUTCH!!! The slump is over!!!

That didn't count

Hey...a 1-2-3 inning - greatly needed at this point. Calling all bats...

@ joe devlin - Trout/Trumbo.

By 2015.....Starling and Andrew will have their own cable network to highlight their exploits!!


Offense....defense...SPECTACULAR!!

@Scotty


Ever see Trumbo in the OF.....Drew Sutton light....

Mike Fontenot is a possible replacement for Neil Walker. The Phillies recently DFA'd him, but he was hitting .289 with a .683 OPS. That's probably a good bit better than what Josh Harrison would do long-term.

Fontenot has a career .265 average and .734 OPS. He is a left-handed hitter who has also played third and the outfield.

For those of you that complain about Greg Brown, John Wehner and Steve Blass....Count your lucky stars that you don't have to listen to Dodger TV announcers Eric Collins and Steve Lyons.
Absolutely horrific.....And they are making fun of the Pirates at every possible negative turn of events (and they don't have to wait very long). They have literally laughed at the Pirates on numerous occasions tonight.
If I was at the game, I'd find something to throw into that booth.....Now.
Those two guys need run out of there!

By the way....Looks like Kuchno the troll caller has returned.
The amount of deletions on this blog could compete with Sina.Com.
Meanwhile....A big nut like Kuchno/Joe Devlin just wanders around in here like a fat idiot at a 4th of July picnic.
Amazing....

@bipolarman

Put Harrison at 2B....call up Sutton for utility.

And DROP the 13th pitcher!!!!

Either bring up d'Arnaud for speed...or Clement for lefthanded power.

That didn't count

Although studies have shown that home runs are worth 1.89 runs.

Daquido,

Something we can agree on. Collins and Lyons are not good. Charlie Steiner is bad, too, in my opinion. I like Rick Monday though.

And Scully is Scully.

@ Joe - Ever see Trumbo hit? Enough said.

El Torro looks more like El Churro.


Disgrace met it's match.

Joe_Devlin

That is a nice OF combo with Cutch and Marte, but Marte really needs to cut down on the K's. Projected out over a whole year, he would strike out 171 times...One of the reasons he was left at Indy for so long...I dont like him in the leadoff spot, but there isnt any other options.

interesting factoid:

Clayton Kershaw #7 pick in 2006 MLB draft

#4 pick: Brad Lincoln

.

Travis Snider - #14 pick in 2006 MLB draft

Bryan Morris - #26 pick in 2006 MLB draft
.

Barry: Hi, Melky. Welcome to the team.
Melky: Thanks, Barry.
Barry: I'd like you to meet my "nutritional
advisor."

Am I allowed to say that I liked the pre-trade Pirates a whole lot better?

Why is Jones in right field tonight? Certainly not defense or his arm.

Didn't I see this game last night? Very deja vu-ish.

Was not a good play by Jones. Resop couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat...

I just realized "Resop" spelled backwards is "poser." Coincidence?

latest nutritional 'supplement':

Chia Pet seeds

no kidding - google it
.

That is a nice OF combo with Cutch and Marte, but Marte really needs to cut down on the K's. Projected out over a whole year, he would strike out 171 times.

I've been waiting for such a post, the first negative reference to Marte. During the raging "free Marte" posts of a few weeks ago, my thoughts were "be careful what you wish for."

While I agree their options were limited, to have a rookie learning how to hit ML pitching the last two months of a pennant race is not conducive to winning. The advance scouts have gotten a good look at Marte and the "book" on how to pitch him is circulating. Look for his strikeouts to increase not decrease. He will be lucky to finish the year hitting .220.

Collins and Lyons are very bad, I agree. Lyons still has the stink of Fox on him.

@ Joe Devlin. Lets see who has more wins on Oct 3, not Aug 15 between Pirates and Angels...If you bet the Pirates, you will lose

Sanchez with another double tonight. Kind of pointless at this juncture of the game, but it's good to see it happen.

not good

not at all

another 'worthless double' - this one by Sanchez

.

Paul Maholm tonight in Atlanta

7IP 1ER 5H 3BB 7K

Meathead,

I would have taken those stats tonight.

fact is the recent Pirates trade deadline acquisitions have provided significant offense

Snider

Sanchez


and Rodriguez - for the opposing team

.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzultan...

Wake me up when the season is over.

OMG...did anyone see Snider score from 2nd on the Barmes hit. The guy can barely run. So basically you can say the bench is now down to 2 and 1/2 players. If he is hurt, which it definitely looks like, why in the heck is he playing?

Curmudgeon

Agree. He's a rookie after all. That was my issue with the "free Marte" rage...I think he could be a nice player one day though.

But Snider turns it around and has a GOOD double!
Pedro looks good in the 2 hole. He's striking out with much more style than he does in the 7 hole!

7k combined for pedro/marte. You could watch every MLB game this season and you will never see the top 2 hitters in a lineup strikeout in 7/8 plate appearances.

I forgot to mention one thing about last Saturday's game. I never booed my team. Nor will I ever.

That's what you get with a rookie in the lineup during a pennant race with Marte - he's probably going to be a good player and looking forward to his improvement.

How do we explain Pedro?

Am I actually seeing grown men complain about whether anonymous posts on a sports blog are deleted or allowed to stand?

Thanks, BFD!!!!

==================================================


I want all of you to winess something.......

to start the 9th inning, Mattingly did NOT send Kershaw out there just to get a complete game! Both of them had enough confidence in their abilities to not worry about such stuff.

Contrast this with Hurdle's decision to send out McDonald earlier this year to get a complete game after already throwing 120+ pitches.

Amazing.

Rod Barajas could have gone 0-4.

nocatch21

I just think Pedro's a slugger. He's going to have monster weeks and look great. And then he's gonna have periods like this, and wont produce. Kinda like Mark Reynolds and Adam Dunn. You're going to get 30-40 homeruns but 150+ K's as well...I still think most teams in MLB would take him anyday, if not at 3B or 1b, then as a DH. The question is, do you give this guy a huge contract one day? He is from NY, you know those teams will be involved with him eventually.

Is tom Petty scheduled for a sky blast concert? Someone needs tosing Free Fallin

The pitchings gone totally south. It's pretty much over for post-season hopes. Just pray that awful 19 year streak ends. Even that is in doubt unless some dramatic change occurs.

bpn8pitt,

Yeah, I know Pedro's a slugger and he's going to be like those hitters. But while he was hot, he looked confident in the box. Now he looks confused, timid, unsure - whatever you want to call it, just like he did early in the year. It seems like after Hurdle gave him the "tough love" speech, a light bulb went off and looked like he figured out something. It looks like now he has regressed back to "early season" form. Very frustrating - and I know that's what to expect from a slugger but geez, he looks so totally overmatched when he's batting anymore.

Positive from tonights game:

Cutch got a new career high in HR's tonight.

Still searching for another positive...........

I can not stand to watch this team any longer. I hope that they can somehow turn it around, but I seriously doubt it.

It's like 1993-2010 all over again. Turn on the game for a few minutes, their getting blown out and looking sick while doing it. Little hitting to speak of when it counts and the pitching is falling apart.

I admit the I really liked the Rodriguez trade and do not blame NH for his shortcomings. The guy was not an ace, but he was a really good lefty on a bad team. He seemed like a definite upgrade over Correia. However, he has been absolutely awful.

Second and third, 1-2 count, and he hangs a curve right over the heart of the plate, up in the zone. What the heck is that? Can he not spot his fastball?

This team just does not have enough talent. They got away with Barajas and Barmes for too long. Pedro is getting worse. Presley and Tabata get sent down for hitting .230 with a handful of HRs. But if you're Gabby Sanchez, a lower avg and fewer HRs will get you a spot with the big club hitting clean-up.

Not enough talent.............and little help at the trade deadline (Snider has been a little bit better than I expected.

What a shame. They were in great position, but the cowering to the Reds and lack of a legit move at the trade deadline killed this team.

Chemistry is probably over-rated, but I truly believe the moves had a negative effect on the team as a whole. Hurdle had to realize that. Why esle call a meeting and tell your players to set the GM hat to the side.

BTW, for those who pooh-pooh Lincoln's value, was there any other contending team who gave up an important piece of their major league team?

I. The Pirates are lucky they have made it to Aug 15 without an injury that will have as much impact as Walker out even for a week. Or did I miss one?


II. What is the name of the stage that comes after alarming decline?


III. How many stages (and what are their labels) are left, before the Pirates officially arrive at worst chokers in baseball for the second year?

@bpn8pitt

Agreed on Pedro. Baseball has always had this type of player and always will. Kingman, Gorman Thomas, Tony Armas. Ther are many examples. Pirate fandom may have to accept the reality that Pedro is a low average/high strikeout HR hitter. I hope he gets better but I'm not encouraged.

...

written by wee willie wallace, August 15, 2012 - 10:30 PM
I can not stand to watch this team any longer.

Aren't you the guy who said they bought season tickets last year just because the sales rep was so nice?

Maybe he can cheer you up! LMAO

Max,

It's been an outright miracle that the Pirates haven't had an injury until now that will have an impact - of course, we all thought when Votto went down, the Reds would slide - never did happen.

I am not sure what stage is next but it may have something to do with the point of no return.

Not willing to call it a choke job yet. There are 45 games left and maybe this is where they hit bottom. If they fail to get 18 wins in the last 45 then it can be officially called a choke job.

Alvarez may become what is known as a "Three True Outcome" hitter. Walks, strikeouts, and homeruns. That combination can be very productive. Adam Dunn has made quite a career out of it - in spite of an horrendous 2011.

written by Richard Bipolarman Jarzynka, August 15, 2012 - 10:09 PM

Am I actually seeing grown men complain about whether anonymous posts on a sports blog are deleted or allowed to stand?
---------------
Richard,
You're assuming we're all men here?
A rather disrespectful, sexist remark on your part.

I would prefer to see Jordy Mercer replace Walker, rather than Josh Harrison. He showed better plate discipline and more power throughout his minor league career.

Despite their 3-7 homestand, the Bucs remain 1/2 game up over SF and St. L for the Wild Card.

AJ needs to throw a shutout tomorrow.

Max- this is the 2nd time you have accused me of doing this.

I told you before and now I will tell you again, try to get your facts straight before you try to make snide remarks directed at others.

I gladly admit when I'm wrong (see my comment above about the Rodriguez trade).

However, I don't appreciate someone stating that I did something, for a very stupid reason, when it is not correct.

Try it a third time, continue laughing at your own wise-cracks, and maybe that will make your claim believable.

wee willie,

The Pirate season starts tomorrow and the Giants and Cardinals have already lost their first game.

What a shame. They were in great position, but the cowering to the Reds and lack of a legit move at the trade deadline killed this team

hello ?

Snider and Sanchez are both hitting over .300 for the Pirates since their acquisition

the core Pirates players are responsible - or more responsible - for the current skid than 'lack of a legit move

www -

are you watching the games ?

Snider and Sanchez - 4 doubles the last 2 games

.

Back to the future! Another truly awful performance by the ball club, Rodriguez and Alarez in particular. Following these games from Australia the team has been playing like 2010 - get behind early, then get further behind. Losing Walker for however long is going to hurt. I don't understand what is happening with Pedro, the golden collar of 0 - 4 with 4 Ks is mystifying. Haven't seen the games of course, does he look lost? He has too much talent to play like this! I am praying against a total collapse and that somehow, someway they can win 82. Playoff chances are up in smoke! They played wonderfully up to this point but it looks like too many holes are catching up with them. Marte could be great, right now he is young and inexperienced. Too weak at 2 outfield positions, shortstop and catcher, 1b and 3b - although GI and McKenry have acquitted themselves well overall. Praying praying for 82!

t2pyah ---

Snider has been better than I expected. Presley is obviously much faster and better defensively. But, the PBC did not acquire Snider out of thin air. They gave up Lincoln to get him.

Sanchez? Seriously? He finally gets an extra base hit tonight. wow! Little to no power, just a few RBIs and his defense has not been overly impressive. Yeah, I am watching the games.

I'm not blaming everything on Sanchez. I am just pointing out that he has not been an upgrade at all at 1B. Personally, I would have rather kept McGehee, let alone trade him for Qualls.


Bipolar -- I like the way you think, but the Bucs are in too much of a tailspin. I truly hope that I am wrong, but everything seems to be going south on them at the wrong time......starting pitching, bullpen, offense..............that is not a winning formula.

Frank Coonelly is desperately checking the Pirates rainy day fund in hopes of bolstering the Pirates roster.



Oh, well.

So Sanchez took your advice and stepped up. Pretty much nobody followed though.

If the Dodgers play like this in October they're WS Champs. I recognize some of the nuance is lost on folks who just want to hate, but a good observer would note how they managed to score off Resop - they hit pitcher's pitches the opposite way. Resop wasn't giving them much to hit at all. Excellent plate discipline. Didn't force anything. I think they would've hit anyone last night.

Too bad Wandy didn't do much of anything. Bucs (save Pedro/Marte) actually hit Kershaw pretty hard with little reward. Different game if we played it in Cincy, lol.

I think it's time for Romeo to tell Pedro to put all his change in his right pocket and turn his cap backwards.

written by t2pyah, August 15, 2012 - 11:09 PM

www -

are you watching the games ?

Snider and Sanchez - 4 doubles the last 2 games

How many of those games have the Pirates won? They got outscored 20-3 in those 2 games.

I can't believe people here are making a fuss over what trade deadlines deals were or were not made. Get a grip. Every facet of the game is in the toilet top to bottom and you are trying to say getting one player as opposed to another would make a difference.

We all know this team was over achieving. We were just hoping it could continue thru the season. Maybe they can recover enough to break the streak. Maybe not. But stop acting like their slide is because of a trade not made or a knock down pitch not thrown.

I quit watching last night for the same reason I don't like to look at traffic accidents. But I saw in the paper this morning that the Pirates got 6 hits" 2 by Sanchez, 2 by Barmes and 1 by Snider.

So obviously it's the moves made by the FO and playing Barmes that is dooming us.