July 2010
McCutchen, Diaz, Clement re-called; Meek or Hanrahan future Closer?
Some other news and notes on the day:
- The Pirates re-called Daniel McCutchen, as expected, from AAA-Indy and will make his start against the Cardinals tonight.
- The Pirates also recalled first baseman Jeff Clement and infielder Argenis Diaz to compensate for the departures of Ryan Church and Bobby Crosby.
Diaz was hitting .248 with 22 RBIs in 80 games with Triple-A Indy. Clement, who started the season as the Pirates everyday first baseman was batting.305 with 15 doubles, eight homers and 33 RBIs in 40 games since being demoted in June.
Clement’s time in Pittsburgh may be cut short, if the Pirates decide to keep a third catcher when Ryan Doumit comes off the DL, Clement is probably the one to go.
- With the departure of Dotel, the Pirates have options to use as the closer role. For now, John Russell isn’t committing to using Joel Hanrahan or Evan Meek as the teams primary closer, saying that they both will see time in that role.
“We’ll see,” Russell said. “We’ve got two pretty good candidates. It gives us two pretty good options.”
Hanrahan does have some experience, as he saw some time as a closer for the Nationals last yea,r picking up 14 saves. This year Joel has mainly been used as the eighth-inning man. Hanrahan leads the team with 63 strikeouts in just 45 innings.
“Obviously, the opportunity would be great,” Hanrahan said. “But we’ve got two months left and I don’t know what’s going to happen. If the opportunity is there, I’d love to have the chance and try to get the spot. Dotel has been great for us this year. We’re going to miss him.”
Meek has only one career save, which he picked up this April in Los Angeles. He does hold the lowest ERA in the Bullpen at 1.23 in 58 1/3 innings.
“The only thing that you can really do is keep doing your job,” said Meek when asked about the possibility of closing. “Whether it’s the ninth inning or the eighth inning or stays the seventh inning, you still have to get three outs. I know that Joel and I would both like the oppurtunity and challenge to close. But we’re not going to be selfish.”
Shortly before leaving the Pirates to head to LA, his new team, Dotel did have some advice to Russell:
“I think Hanrahan is the guy that has to have the job,” he said. “Nothing against Evan Meek — he’s a prospect here and has great stuff. But the way I see things, Hanrahan should be the closer.”
To see the video interview on Dotel, Click Here
Pirates Trade away “rent a arms” and get some great talent
The trade deadline can be a very nerve racking time for Pirates fans. This year however, was much different. Instead of seeing the crowd favorites being shipped off, The Pirates traded away the “rent a arms”, or short term fix vetern guys and got a lot of great talent in return.
Things are looking up for us here in Pittsburgh…
Here are a breakdown of the trades:
- The Pirates acquired catcher Chris Snyder and Minor League shortstop Pedro Ciriaco from the D-backs in exchange for Ryan Church, Bobby Crosby and D.J. Carrasco. They also received $3 Million in cash.
Synder, 29, hit.231 with 10 homers and 32 RBIs in 65 games this season. He was drafted by the D-Backs in the second round of the 2002 Draft.
“Chris Snyder is a solid Major League player, who will provide us with a quality catching option for this year and next year,” Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said. “He brings leadership to the club, along with a game calling and receiving ability that will help our pitching staff mature. Additionally, he will add some home run power to our lineup.”
He is expected to join the team Monday in Pittsburgh. Snyder will take over as the primary catcher. Ryan Doumit, who has been the everday catcher since 2008, will be moved to the back-up role once activated from the DL. The Pirates also plan to use Doumit in right field and at first base.
“It’s no secret Chris is going to catch,” Russell said. “How much he catches, we’ll go from there. How can we effectively get the bats in the lineup to help us win the game? That will be the juggling act that we do. It’s going to be a challenge, but it’s a good challenge to have.”
I was surprised,” Doumit said. “I didn’t know what to think of that. I just want to play. I look at myself as an everyday player. I always have. I hope that doesn’t change. As far as a catcher coming in, I’m all for improving the team and doing whatever it takes to improve the team. Selfishly, I think I’m an everyday player, and I want to play every day.”
Pedro Ciriaco was assigned to Triple-A Indy. In 87 games this year for AAA Reno he hit .259, with 6HR and 57 RBI.
“We’re going to give him every chance in the world to show us that he can be an everyday Major League shortstop,” Huntington said. “We think the bat upside is in there. He can probably fill a premium utility middle role right now … but at 24, we’re going to give him every chance in the world to grow and develop and show us that he can be an everyday player.”
- The Pirates aquired LHP James McDonald and Minor League outfielder Andrew Lambo from the Dodgers in exchange for Octavio Dotel.
McDonald, 25, was selected in the 11th round of the 2002 draft by the Dodgers. Over the last few years he has spent his seasons up and down, in the majors and with AAA-Albuquerque. In 2009 he was 5-5 with a 4.00 ERA in 63 innings. This season with AAA he was 6-1 with a 4.41 ERA.
Lambo was selected in 4th round of the 2007 draft by the Dodgers. In 2009 he was rated by Baseball America as the Dodgers best prospect, 49th overall. This year he was named the Dodgers best Outfield prospect in their system. For AA-Chattanooga he batted .271 with four Home Runs and 21 RBIs in 47 games.
McDonald is expected to join the Pirates at the Major league level and Lambo will go to AA-Altoona.
- The Pirates aquired right-hander Joseph Martinez and outfielder John Bowker from the Giants in exchange for Javier Lopez.
Martinez, a RHP was 5-3 with a 3.32 ERA in AAA-Fresno.
Bowker, was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 3rd round of the Draft. The Sacramento, CA native plays First base and Outifield. This season in AAA-Fresno he was batting .310 with 14 Home Runs and 36 RBI.
Bowker and Martinez are expected to join AAA-Indy.
Live Pirates Trades Updates
4:16: @LangoschMLB: manager Russell says C Chris Snyder expected to join team on Monday in Pittsburgh
The Trade Deadline has offically ended, although more deals may pour through in th next little bit.
- The Pirates did trade LHP Javier Lopez to the Giants for RHP Joe Martinez and OF John Bowker.
- The Pirates traded Octavio Dotel to the Dodgers for James McDonald & Andrew Lambo
- @RobBiertempfel: Pirates milledge laughs and tells dotel in mock threatening tone: “I’ll see you next season”
3:45 @extrabaggs: CSN is reporting the Giants traded RHP Joe Martinez to the Pirates for LHP Javier Lopez
3:35: @Dejan_Kovacevic: Hearing Pirates might be on verge of trading LHP Javier Lopez.
3:27: @Dejan_Kovacevic: Pirates NOT expecting to trade Paul Maholm. Attention focused on Octavio Dotel, with several teams.
2:34: @jaysonst: Source says Pirates not sure they will get Octavio Dotel moved. Telling teams they’re fine w/ him as their closer this year & next.
2:20 PM: @LangoschMLB: With Ted Lilly to the Dodgers deal reportedly done, that would eliminate the Dodgers interest in Pirates LHP Paul Maholm
It’s offical: Pirates acquire SS Pedro Ciriaco, Chris Snyder & cash from D-backs 4 Ryan Church, Bobby Crosby & D.J. Carrasco.
- @LangoschMLB: Source says Pirates receiving $3 million from Dbacks in Snyder/Ciriaco – Church/Crosby/Carrasco trade
- Pirates recall infielders Argenis Diaz and Jeff Clement from Triple-A Indianapolis.
- Bucs also recall RHP Daniel McCutchen to start tonight.
- @Dejan_Kovacevic: Pirates GM, on Snyder: “quality catching option this year and next year … game-calling and receiving … will help our pitching staff.”
“Chris Snyder is a solid Major League player who will provide us with a quality catching option for this year and next year,” general manager Neal Huntington said. “He brings leadership to the club, along with a game calling and receiving ability that will help our pitching staff mature. Additionally he will add some home run power to our lineup.”
Tonight’s Starting Lineup 7/31 Pirates @ Cardinals:
Cardinals:
Lopez 5
Jay 9
Pujols 3
Holliday 7
Rasmus 8
Molina 2
Schumaker 4
Suppan 1
Ryan 6
Pirates trade updates
With less than five hours left until the trade deadline ends, things could sure get interesting for Pirates fans. Rumors have been swirling around a few of the Pirates.
The Dodgers, Padres and Mets have been rumored to be interested in Lefty Paul Maholm. GM Neal Huntington has said repeatedly that the organization is past the point of trading for prospects. Huntington has declined to comment on the rumors saying “We are working through various scenarios with various players and will make a move only if we believe the return is compelling.”
Maholm is making $4.5 million this season. He is under contract to earn $5.75 million next year and has a $9.75 million club option with a $750,000 buyout for 2012.
MLB reporter Jenifer Langosch recently spoke to Maholm:
On how whether he pays attention to rumor mill and to what degree: “Yeah, I don’t want to be caught off-guard. I’m here until they tell me otherwise and I’m going to prepare for my next start like I always do.”
“I more or less follow it to see what other teams are doing and where other guys are going. I think it’s fun. I’m a fan. I enjoy doing it. Having my name in it doesn’t bother me. Every fifth day I’m out there and expect to win. That doesn’t change if my name is in any trade rumors or anything like that.”
“I have Twitter, so I have writers I follow. You get all sorts of updates. I just follow along with everybody else.”
“I’m more of a guy who likes to plan stuff, so these next 24 hours will be difficult. We’ll know tomorrow. If I’m still here, I’ll still be happy. If I go to a contender, that’s what you play for.”
On thoughts about being dealt: “I’ve always said I want to be on a winning team. My first choice would be on the team that turns it around here. I’ve been in Pittsburgh my whole career and I love the fans, love the ballpark, and I think they deserve a winner. I want to be a part of that. But it’s not up to me. If they come in and tell me to go somewhere, I’m going. I don’t have a ‘no trade [clause].’ We’ll just see how it goes.”
Paul Maholm is 6-9 with a 4.52 ERA this season.
Zach Duke could also be another Pirates starter to get traded. In a recent interview with Greg Brown, he was asked about his thoughts on being traded:
“Zach, this is the week for trade rumors, the deadline coming up Saturday, you put it aside?” -Greg Brown
“I don’t think I’ll be traded. I haven’t even thought about it. I don’t know if we will make any moves. From what they’ve said to us in Spring Training on is the guys in the clubhouse are the ones that they want here so, if something happens I’ll be suprised.” -Zach Duke
Duke is arbitration eligable for 2011 and up for free agency in 2012. He is 5-9 with a 5.09 ERA this season.
Evan Meek and Joel Hanrahan have been drawing a lot of interest but the Pirates would have to been blown away by an offer to part with either one of them. Meek can’t be a free-agent until after the 2014 season, Hanrahan 2013.
The Market this year hasn’t been packed with relievers so if the Pirates were to sell, they could very high. The three that seem most likely to be traded are Octavio Dotel, DJ Carrasco and Javier Lopez. The Pirates could exercise a $4.5 Million club option to keep Dotel next season. Carrasco and Lopez will be arbitration eligible this winter. Carrasco has informed the Pirates that he would welcome the chance to play for a contending team.
- The Pirates acquired (OF) Mitch Jones from the Braves yesterday for cash considerations. Jones appeared in eight major league games for the Dodgers in 2009, (.308 AVG, 4-for-13, one double, six strikeouts) and has spent the rest of the time with the Braves’ Triple-A affiliate. He hit .250 with 23 doubles, 18 homers and 45 RBIs in 89 games. Mitch will join Triple-A Indianapolis.
- The Pirates have agreed on a trade for the Diamondbacks’ Chris Synder and minor leaguer SS Pedro Ciriaco. The Dbacks will receive: Bobby Crosby, Ryan Church, and reliever D.J. Carrasco in return. Snyder is due $5.75 million next year with a club option worth $6.75 million for 2012 with a $750,000 buyout. He was batting .231 with 10 homers and 32 RBIs in 65 games this year for Arizona.
John Perrotto who is a writer for the Beaver County Times and well as Editor-in-Chief for Baseball Prospectus tweeted last night:
“Pirates have no trade for Doumit in the works and he’ll wind up being the No. 2 catcher and seeing time at 1B and maybe RF.”
- Since trading Crosby and Church to the Dbacks in the Synder deal the Pirates have recalled INF Argenis Diaz and 1B Jeff Clement from Triple-A.
Clement hit .305 with 15 doubles, eight homers and 33 RBis in 40 games with Triple-A.
Diaz is known more for his glove than his offense. He is hitting .248 with 22 RBIs in 80 games with this season.
MLB reporter Jennifer Langosch recently tweeted:
Source: Garrett Jones is NOT being dealt by Pirates so he’s not involved in any pending trade.
I will continue to update throughout the day when trades happen.
Brillant Pitching Duels, Bucs lose in extras
Pirates lose in 10, 1-0.
Before the game even started, the odds were against the Pirates. Chris Carpenter was 11-1 with a 2.29 ERA lifetime against the Pirates. The last time he was beaten was way back on June 29, 2004, Sean Burnett was the winning pitcher. If that wasn’t enough, Albert Pujols has a career .369 AVG against the Buccos.
But these aren’t the same bucs we have seen all season long, they have been playing like a much different team since the All-Star Break.
Manager John Russell told the team before the game that the only way they had a chance to beat Carpenter was pitching and defense.
Both they did very well.
The pitching was brillant. Karstens rose to the task last night pitching six scoreless innings, giving up seven hits, striking out two, and walked none. He threw just 69 pitches, 50 for strikes. Evan Meek came into the game in the seventh inning, pitched two scoreless innings, walked just one batter.
Joel Hanrahan came in the ninth inning. He pitched a perfect ninth, striking out the sides. It should be noted that Hanrahan took over as the Pirates leader in strikeouts at 63 in just 45.2 IP, just nine less than what he racked up all of 2009. In an earlier post I talked about how Evan Meek was filthy and nasty, I think I may have to award Hanny with this as well as he has been disgusting all season long too.
Javier Lopez, his third straight day of relief came in to pitch in the 10th. Ryan Ludwick started with a lead-off hit, Yadier Molina bunted Ludwick to third, Brendan Ryan hit a grounder into the infield and Ludwick scored at home for the Wallk-off win.
That’s all it took. The Pirates lost 1-0. Talk about a heart breaking loss.
“The guys fought hard but just couldn’t find a way to get that run to put us over the top,” Russell said. “I was really proud of the way our guys played. They really got after it and just came up short.”
It’s unfortunate that the Pirates couldn’t give Karstens a win after pitching so well against Carpenter.
“I think the biggest thing tonight is that when they did get hits, they were singles,” Karstens said. “I just try and make the hitter’s aggressiveness work against them, be a little more aggressive than they normally would.”
The Buccos defense limited the Cardinals to just the one run. Together the team made some great plays, robbing the Cardinals of many hits and runs. Erik Kratz became the first Pirates catcher to throw out three base runners since Keith Osik on July 5, 1999. Jose Tabata made two spectacular sliding catches in left and Garrett Jones made a diving stop down the first base line to prevent and extra base inning in which the Cardinals had two on.
Chris Carpenter threw eight scoreless, giving up five hits, striking out six and walking three. He continues to own the Pirates, now lifetime 12-1, 2.12 ERA.
He threw the ball outstanding,” Russell said. “So did Jeff. It’s going to come down to that one play or one big hit, and they got it.”
It’s good that they see these guys,” Russell said regarding the rookies Pedro Alvarez, Jose Tabata and Walker facing a wealth of good pitching in this week’s span. “I’m sure in the minors they could watch guys like Carpenter and say, ‘Wow.’ Now, they’ve seen Jimenez, and they get to face these guys. You know it’s going to be a challenge, but it’s fun. I know when I faced Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens, Dwight Gooden or J.R. Richard for the first time, you go to the plate and it’s, like, ‘Oh, no.’ “
The Pirates look to seek revenge against the Cardinals today.
Daniel McCutchen (1-4, 8.58 ERA)
VS
Jeff Suppan (0-4, 4.75 ERA)
McCutchen is expected to be re-called from Triple-A Indy to make the start tonight. It is his third start for the Buccos this season, his first since July 7th when he went five innings, giving up four hits, four runs, three homeruns, walking three, and striking out three.
Suppan’s start could be his last if he doesn’t perform well. He or Blake Hawksworth will be bumped from the starting rotation when Kyle Lohse comes off the DL from a forearm injury. In Jeff’s last outing he pitched six innings giving up 10 hits, five runs, three homeruns, walked three, and didn’t strike out a single batter.
Some other notes worth Noting:
- The Cardinals are 41-10 when they score first. The Pirates are just 10-46 when the Opposing team scores first.
- Yesterday was the first time since May 7, 2009 that the Pirates visted St Louis. It is the longest gap between two teams at one site in the same division since 1969.
- Ronny Cedeno leads the National League with the most doubles in July, hitting 10.
- Jose Tabata has a current 10-game hitting streak.
Pirates @ Cardinals 7/30, and other News
Cardinals Starting Lineup:
Lopez 3B
Jay RF
Pujols 1B
Holliday LF
Rasmus CF
Molina C
Ryan SS
Carpenter (11-3, 3.09) RHP
Schumaker 2B
Pirates Starting Lineup:
McCutchen CF
Tabata LF
Walker 2B
Jones 1B
Alvarez 3B
Milledge RF
Cedeno SS
Kratz C
Karstens (2-6, 4.72 ERA) LHP
Andrew McCutchen is back in the lineup tonight, after electing to sit out yesterday’s game in Colorado due to a sore right shoulder. (He missed six games last week with a sprained right ACJoint and re-aggravated it Tuesday)
- (Via Scott McCauley, Triple-A Indy’s Radio Broadcaster) Mitch Jones who was in Triple-A Gwinnett has been acquired by the Pirates for cash considerations. He will join Indy Indians in Norfolk.
Mitch Jones hit .250, 18HR, 45RBI in 89 games w/ Gwinnett -Braves. .292 OBP/.494SLG
In 2009 Jones played eight games with the Dodgers, .308 AVG, 4-for-13, 1 2B, 6K
- (Via Jenifer Langosh, Pirates MLB Reporter) Daniel McCutchen has left Triple-A team to join Pirates in STL; not yet officially named Saturday’s starter as roster move still needed.
- There are a lot of conflicting reports on Paul Maholm (Dodgers, Mets and Padres are ”interested”) DJ Carrasco, Javier Lopez, Joel Hanrahan have also been acquired about. With less than 24 hours left of the deadline, thinks could get interesting.
For a good break down on the Pirates trade rumors check out PGHPineTar
Hansen is pitching again, Capps traded to the Twins
Some of you guys may have forgotten about Pitcher, Craig Hansen. He was part of the Red Sox, Dodgers deal when we sent Jason Bay and received; him, Brandon Moss and Andy LaRoche.
Hansen has been cleared to pitch for the first time since April of 2009 and has been added to the roster at High-A Bradenton. (In 2009, he only pitched five games, 6 1/3 innings)
In 2008, Hansen pitched in 48 games, 2-7, 46.1 IP, 40H, 37R, 32ER, 3HR, 43BB, 32K, 6.22 ERA and a 1.79 WHIP.
The 26-year-old right-hander, has had a long, uncertain recovery from an unusual ailment in which a nerve in his upper back lost the ability to send signals to his trapezius muscle. He was nearly set to return in early June, but elbow pain shut him down.
“We felt like it was time to get him out and see what he can do,” director of player development Kyle Stark said.
Hansen made his first start in over a year for the Marauders yesterday. He pitched 1/3 of an inning, giving up one hit, two runs; both earned, three walks, one strike out.
I found an old article that was published in August of 2009 on his recovery.
After about a month and a half of looking for an explanation for a “ghost injury,” as Hansen called it, doctors identified Hansen’s condition as Parsonage-Turner Syndrome, a rare disorder in which a nerve deteriorates and, as a result, the muscle in that area of the body weakens. For Hansen, the nerve affected was in the upper right side of his back and weakened the trapezius muscle, which is a critical muscle in his throwing motion.
The only cure for such an ailment is rest, though Hansen is undergoing nerve tests once a month to continue to look for signs of improvement. Hansen said that in his research he has read that recovery time can range from six months to five years. Medical research has shown that 75 percent of people affected with PTS recover fully in two years.
“It’s frustrating,” said Hansen, who still does not have a timetable for when he can pick up a baseball again. “It’s [about being] mentally tough more than anything. Right now, I’ve just got to keep myself busy and stay in shape so that when the nerve does come back and fully regenerate, I’ll be ready.”
How and exactly when Hansen initially suffered this paralysis of the nerve is still unknown. The best guess is that it was caused by a viral infection — something as seemingly innocuous as a common cold — and happened over the offseason. Hansen said that it was during Spring Training when he first noticed that he had lost significant strength in his pitching arm.
“All of a sudden you just notice that the strength gets significantly weaker,” Hansen said. “It’s been very challenging. It’s too hard for me to sit back and watch and not be given an opportunity to play right now.”
He has ruled out any attempt at trying to come back this season and is at this point looking to a return in 2010.
You can read the rest of the Article on MLB.com
Is this photo real? If so, it is a pretty sweet picture!
I will be keeping an eye on him and will continue to post any updates. If he stays healthy, and can fully recover he can be a pretty great arm for the Pirates. He was Boston’s 2nd pick in the first round (26th overall) in the 2005 draft.
In other news, Ex-Bucco, Matt Capps was traded from the Nationals to the Twins for catching prospect Wilson Ramos and Minor League left-hander Joe Testa.
Capps will take over as the Twins’ closer and Jon Rauch will shift back into a setup role. The Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said that he’d already spoken to Rauch about the switch.
“He was very professional about it,” Gardenhire said. “He said, ‘Whatever it takes to win.’ It was the same thing he said to me when I told him he was the closer. He said, ‘Whatever you need me to do, I’ll do.’ He said he just wants to win and be on a winner.”
Capps has been very good this year, recording 26 saves in 30 opportunities and posted a 2.47 ERA in 47 games. He also was selected for his first All-Star game this year.
“This makes us a better club,” Twins general manager Bill Smith said. “Matt is a veteran closer, a veteran reliever and he’s going to be a very good fit for this club. We’ve had an interest in Matt Capps for a long time, and this was a good opportunity for us to acquire him. It gives us a better chance to win the division and hopefully advance to the World Series.”
@JeffFletcherAOL tweeted this last night: Wouldn’t it be funny if Capps, who was winning pitcher for NL in ASG, ended up in the WS for an AL team?
How weird would that be?
In honor of Matt Capper, click here to watch his “Big Bull Rider” entrance music when he was the Closer for the Pirates. Ah, memories.
Pirates get rocked in game three
Pirates lose 9-3.
The Pirates had the oppurtunity to complete the series sweep of the Rockies, just the second oppurtunity for a sweep on the road this season, but Jimenez was back to his first-half of the season self and held the Pirates to just one run.
Paul Maholm gave up eight runs on 11 hits through 5 1/3 innings while walking three and striking out three, throwing 120 pitches.
Most of the damage though, came in the second inning. With a runner on first and one out, Pedro Alvarez made a great play, but made a horrible throw that sailed over the head of Garrett Jones moving two Rockies into scoring position. Maholm then gave up two consecutive two run hits, Colorado got four runs in the inning. Paul threw 52 pitches by the end of the second.
It was season highs in hits, ER and pitches
“I felt good,” Maholm said after the Pirates’ 9-3 loss to the Rockies. “They had lost [eight] in a row. They’re eventually going to break out. They had good at-bats. You’ve got to give them credit.”
He never seemed like he got into much of a rhythm,” manager John Russell said. “The biggest thing was that he had trouble putting hitters away, just didn’t quite get the ball where he wanted to. He battled. It just wasn’t his day.”
Maholm falls to 6-9 on the season and his ERA goes up to 4.52. In the past month, Paul has only managed to get two wins. He’s been up and down over that span, throwing a complete game shutout one game and then getting pulled after just three innnings in another.
.
Jul 23 VS SD- (L) 6IP, 9H, 4R, 4ER, 2BB, 2K
Jul 18 VS HOU – (W) 9IP, 3H, 0BB, 1K
Jul 9 VS MIL – (ND) 7IP, 3H, 2R, 2ER, 1HR, 2B, 4K
Jul 3 VS PHI - (L) 3IP, 10H, 8R, 7ER, 2BB, 1K
Jun 28 VS CHC – (W) 8IP, 7H, 1R, 1ER, 0BB, 2K
Not that the Pirates pitching has been good this season, but It’s interesting to see how hit or miss Maholm has been as of late.
Neil Walker hit a two-run Home Run (5) and Garrett Jones hit an RBI double for the only three runs scored on the day. Ubaldo Jimenez limited the Pirates to only four hits.
After a few rough starts for Jimenez, he clearly looked like his old self hitting high 90′s on the gun. He threw seven innings, giving up one earned run, and struck out six.
“He’s not 15-2 with a 2.70 [ERA] for nothing,” second baseman Neil Walker said. “When he’s throwing his offspeed pitches for strikes that makes his fastball that much more difficult. I’m sure that’s a typical day for him today. He did a good job of getting the outs when he needed.”
“It’s obviously disappointing to lose today, but at the same time, to know that you’ve already won the series is definitely good mentally for you,” Walker said. “I don’t think we let up today. We fought pretty hard. Jimenez obviously was pretty good today.”
Other Pirates News:
- The Pirates have hit at least one HR in five consecutive games, a season high.
- Ex Pirate, Jack Taschner was designated for Assignment today by the Dodgers.
- Ex Pirate Matt Capps picked up his 26th save of the season, his eigth consecutive save for the Nationals.
- Andrew McCutchen was a late scratch from the lineup in todays game due to shoulder stiffness. An hour before the first pitch he elected to sit out of the game. McCutchen re-aggravated his shoulder making a catch against the wall in Wed game. He is listed as day-to-day.
“There was no pain. It was just stiff,” he said. “I figured it might loosen up, but it didn’t want to loosen up. It’s still not 100 percent yet. I’ll show up [Friday] and see how it feels.”
- Ross Ohlendorf reported feeling “really good” this morning, and shouldn’t miss his next start. Ohlendorf will be continued to be monitored over the next few days.
“We’re hoping that he should be able to make his next start,” manager John Russell said. “[He's] very lucky, very lucky.”
- Brandon Moss has been rolling in Triple-A. For a detailed look at how he has been doing in Indy, check out the Indians’s broadcaster, Scott McCauley’s blog -Isthisthingon?
- Since the All-Star Break stats for the Pirates (entering Thursday):
70 Runs scored (2nd in NL, CHC has 71)
.283 Team Batting AVG (2nd in NL)
.454 Slugging % (3rd in NL)
Tomorow’s Pitching Matchup:
Jeff Karstens 2-6, 4.72 ERA
VS
Chris Carpenter 11-3, 3.09 ERA
After starting with four perfect innings during his last outing, Karstens pitched four more strong innings against the Padres Saturday, striking out four. But his third time around resulted in a three-run (one earned) sixth. Karstens has not recorded.
Carpenter thrives when he pitches within the division, and he’s pretty tough at home too. He’ll be kicking off an important six-game homestand in which the Cardinals theoretically will have a chance to make some serious headway in the standings.
Around the Ballparks 07/28
- The Indians traded Jhonny Peralta to the Tigers for LHP Giovanna Soto.
- The Angels Joel Pineiro will be out six to eight weeks (strained left oblique) He was a late scratch on Wed after sustaining a left oblique strain while warming up in the bullpen.
Noteable players on the DL this season (with abdominal or oblique injuries)
MIL – Yovanni Gallardo (RHP)
TEX – Tommy Hunter (RHP)
SD – Mat Latos (RHP)
TEX – Cliff Lee (LHP)
BAL – Brian Roberts (2B)
SD – Mike Adams (RHP)
SF – Jeremy Affeldt (LHP)
NYM – Rod Barajas (C)
PHI – Shane Victorino (CF)
- Derek Lee rejected a trade to the Angeles yesterday. Lee “agonized” over the decision about whether to accept the trade but he decided his family came first.
“When the trade was presented to me, I felt for me and my family the best thing to do was to stay here,” Lee said after the Cubs’ 8-1 loss to the Astros. “That was a decision we made. Jim and I had a great conversation about it. That was the decision.”
“It just shows the kind of guy he is,” pitcher Randy Wells said. “He’s a great guy, great teammate and a valuable asset. Without a guy like him on your team, you never know where you’re going to be, and not just on the field but in the clubhouse. He’s the guy everybody looks up to and he walks in the room and everybody perks up. As far as where we’re at right now, that’s huge that he stays.”
- The Nationals have placed Stephen Strasburg on the 15-day disabled list for shoulder stiffness.
“They’re taking every precaution with me,” he said. “It’s doing great already. [I'm] making big strides … and when the time comes, I’m going to be ready to go.”
- The Giants have won 17 of their last 21 games and Buster Posey extended his hitting streak to 21 games.
- Giants closer Brian Wilson was fined $1,000 for his orange cleats. They are the flashy (but cool in my opinion) he wore at the All-Star Game. Marlins Manager Rodriques complained about the cleats, calling them “a little too bright, too flashy.” During pregame Brian colored in 50 percent of the cleat black with a sharpie.
“I’m going to keep wearing them, but I’ve changed them to 50 percent black for the guidelines, and you guys can attest to that,” said Wilson, holding up one shoe. “I’ve got pretty good eyes. I can eyeball 50 percent. I don’t think they’re going to be nit-picky about 53 percent not black. I’m making an effort.”
“The fact that he thinks these shoes throw 97-100 with cut might be a little far-fetched,” Wilson said. “I guess we should probably have these checked for performance-enhancing cleats.”
- The Orioles hire Buck Showalter as their manager -MLB
- The Royals traded OF Scott Podsednik to the Dodgers for two minor leaguers, Lucas May (C) and Elisaul Pimentel (RHP)
- The Rangers placed Ian Kinsler on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left groin. The club called up (1B/OF) Mitch Moreland from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
- Ben Sheets in out for the remainder of the season with a torn flexor tendon in his right elbow.
“He’ll be missed both on the field and off the field,” Geren said. “He’s been a great teammate for a lot of the young guys. A lot of them looked up to him for his competitiveness and, off the field, he was just a pleasant guy to be around.”
“The whole year’s been frustrating,” Sheets said. “From where I was before spring, it’s never really taken any jumps you always hear about. To say I felt good for extended periods of time would be false. I felt good here and there — a couple innings here, a couple innings there, but nothing sustained throughout the year.”
- Dan Uggla hit his 143rd Career Home Run, ties Mike Lowell for Marlins franchise leading record. It is his sixth homerun in his last six games.
- Cardinals are 39-10 this season after scoring in the first inning.
- The Chicago White Sox are 17-1 at home since June 9th.
- Roy Halladay pitched his eigth complete game of the season. He gave up 6H, 1ER, 9K, 114 pitches. The Phillies have won seven straight games and 10 straight victories at home.
Doc (Last 5 home Starts) 4-0, 0.43 ERA, 38/4 K/BB, 0.83 WHIP
- The Tigers have lost nine straight road games.
- Joey Votto (last eight games) .471 AVG, .853 SLG, 4HR, 10RBI
Ohlendorf “lucky” after comebacker to the head, Pirates beat the Rockies 6-2
I remember exactly where I was when I saw Chris Jakubauskas take a comebacker off his head earlier this season.
I felt that unfortunate sick to my stomach, scared to death feeling in the first inning of yesterday’s game against the Rockies. Ross Ohlendorf took a line drive from Tulu off the side of his head. It bounced clear into right field. The crazy part? Ohly didn’t even fall to the ground. He just stood there, completely fine, we even saw him laugh. An impact that hard and it didn’t even hurt the poor guy? Talk about a tough ball player. He was taken out of the game after pitching just 2/3 of an inning.
He was taken to the ER for precautionary reasons. The CT scan cleared Ohlendorf of any trauma to the brain, and was diagnosed was a deep bruise and some abrasion on the right side of his head. He said he felt “just fine” after the game. The team plans to monitor him for concussion symptoms. Ross returned to the ballpark in the sixth inning, shaking hands with the players and smiling.
“I think he got, obviously, very lucky,” manager John Russell said. “It shook him a little bit. We’ll have to reevaluate him through the night and [on Thursday]. We’ll see how he’s doing. Again, I think he’s very fortunate.”
“Considering I got hit in the head, I feel like I am really lucky with where it hit me,” he said. “I feel fine. I guess I got lucky.”
“I saw it hit him and I asked someone where the ball went, because I started running out of the dugout as soon as it hit him,” Russell said. “You could tell he was dazed a little bit.”
“At first, I was kind of shocked,” Ohlendorf said. “My first reaction was just surprise, and then upset, because I knew they were going to probably want to take me out.”
“He was upbeat and had a little smirk on his face and seemed with it,” Jones said. “Those types of plays are always tough to see. Ross must have a thick skull, because that ball was hit hard.”
Afterward, Tulowitzki sent a message to the Pirates’ clubhouse seeking Ohlendorf’s phone number.
Ohlendorf sure did get lucky. Jakubasuskas was immediately placed on the 15-day DL and still hasn’t came off.
Sean Gallagher replaced Ohlendorf in the first inning. He pitched three scoreless innings, 57 pitches, giving up zero hits, struck out four and walked three. Gallagher got his first win as a Bucco and his first win since Sept 21, 2009 against, who else? The Pirates!
Wil Ledezma made his Pirates debut in the fourth inning, and boy was it a good one. Hitting 94-95-95 on the gun he struck out the first guy he faced, Olivio. He pitched scoreless and hittless through 1.1 innings.
The rest of the guys from the Pen shut the door. Carrasco, Hanrahan and Dotel each pitched scoreless innings. Lopez was the only reliever to give up a run throught the entire game. Kudos for the great job they did.
Garrett Jones went 4-for-4 on the night, with two Homeruns, a triple away from the cycle. He drove in three of the six runs scored.
“I felt good today,” Jones said. “Our bullpen had to pick up a pretty heavy load. We were just trying to score as much as we can to help them.”
They continued to play great as a team. McCutchen went 3-for-4, Walker 1-for-5 with two RBI, Alvarez 1-for-3 with a BB and a RBI. The Bucs scored six runs off 11 hits.
Another scary moment came in the fifth inning.
Andrew McCutchen slammed into the wall, making an unbelieveable catch. He immediately grabbed his shoulder and was starting yelling, angry at himself. I thought he re-injured his AC joint. (he missed six games recently from it) After the trainer and JR came out to make sure he was okay, he stayed in the game. Thank goodness he was okay.
“It’s just one of those things with it being sprained and healing, you’ve just got to give it some time,” said McCutchen, who will be reevaluated on Thursday. “It’s something that I can play through. I’m fine now.”
After the game he was asked If he had any thoughts of taking it a little easier on that fly ball: ” No chance. No Chance. I took it easy for five days where I didn’t do anything so I’m not going to let anything drop out there. If I got a chance to catch it, I’m going to catch it.”
^^ That is one of the many reasons I love Cutch. He has so much heart and love for the game.
Last night was the first time since May 14th and 15th that the Pirates won back to back road wins.
The Pirates take on the Rockies today at 3:10, looking for the Series sweep and to improve their record to one game ABOVE .500 after the All-Star Break.
Pitching Matchup:
Paul Maholm 6-8, 4.13 ERA
A four-run second inning handed Maholm the loss Friday vs. the Padres. Maholm has been mired in a good-start, bad-start routine going back to June 23 at Texas. Two of his last six outings have lasted fewer than four innings.
VS
Ubaldo Jimenez 15-2, 2.75 ERA
Jimenez will try to rebound after what was one of his poorer outings in what has otherwise been a magical season. On Saturday against the Phillies, the righty lasted just two innings, surrendering six earned runs.
Zach Duke was interviewed on yesterday’s Pirates Pre-game show by Greg Brown. In case you missed it, here is what they talked about.
Greg Brown: “We are with last night’s starting pitcher, and winner of course, Zach Duke. Six innings, three hits, a couple of solo homeruns, the only blemish against another strong start. Boy, your feeling good aren’t you Zach?”
Zach Duke: “Yeah, I like where I’m at. The ball is coming out of my hand well, my location has been pretty solid as of late and hopefully i can stay where I’m at.”
GB: “Last night that command was outstanding, wasn’t it? That ball was doing just about everything you wanted it to do.”
ZD: “It was, you know, especially early on I was able to establish my fastball command and really hitting the down and away spot really well and really everything just worked off of that.”
GB: “Zach you said, it was quoted in the papers that, after spending some time on the Disabled list, its not that you necessarily feel better but you just feel like your at where you should be right?”
ZD: “Yeah. I physically feel right again and mentally I feel like I don’t have to try to do more or create extra to try to compenstate for the arm, I feel like myself which is a nice place to be.”
GB: “Do you feel like your stronger a little bit since that time off?”
ZD: “I don’t know about stronger, I feel like I’m still having to build up my arm strength from not throwing for a month. It’s a little tough to say I feel stronger, but I do feel consistant mechanically which is allowing me to control the ball the way I want it.”
GB: “Everybody always asks the question, you know six innings, could you have gone more? But you just mentioned you are trying to build up arm strength, right?”
ZD: “Yeah. I could have probally gone a little more but the way the bullpen has been, with Meek, Hanrahan, Dotel, they shut the door everytime so we didn’t want to risk anything and possibly have me go out and not be able to pitch again.I’m glad it worked out the way it did and obvisously got a win and that’s the most important thing.”
GB”How about that defense last night?”
ZD: “They were great. Andrew McCutchen ran down everything and the infield played great as well. Hopefully we can keep playing that way.”
GB: “How much fun is that to deliver a pitch that your not real sure about, you turn around and you see this guy flying around all over the place in the outfield?”
ZD: “It takes a lot of pressure of you as a pitcher that’s for sure. Anytime you got a guy like him in centerfield that can run down everything, you have a lot more margin for error and you don’t try to be so perfect. It takes a lot of pressure off you and lets you just kind of relax and do your thing.”
GB: “Zach, this is the week for trade rumors, the deadline coming up Saturday, you put it aside?”
ZD: “I don’t think I’ll be traded. I haven’t even thought about it. I don’t know if we will make any moves. From what they’ve said to us in Spring Training on is the guys in the clubhouse are the ones that they want here so, if something happens I’ll be suprised.”
GB: “Hey, speaking of rumors. There is a rumor going around that you, and Kristin are expecting the first Duke in the family. Your first child, when’s that?”
ZD:” We are expecting. It’s due in Feb right twoards the start of Spring Training so maybe I’ll get a little extra time to report to camp. It’s a very exciting time for us. Thankfully everything has gone according to plan, the baby’s healthy, Kristin’s healthy so we’re really excited.”
They are such a beautiful couple, and will have such a gorgeous baby. Congrats to them!
Other Pirates News:
- NL Rookie Ranks (Since All-Star break) Entering Wed:
Neil Walker Jose Tabata
.422 AVG – 3rd .375 AVG – 8th
6 runs – T-8th 12 Runs – 1st
19 Hits – 3rd 18 Hits – 4th
XBH 6 – T-4th XBH 6 – T-4th
- Brandon Moss deserves another shot -PiratesProspects
- RISP Batting Average (NL Leaders)
Lastings Milledge PIT .388
Adrian Gonzalez SD .384
Angel Bagan NYM .375
Jonny Gomez CIN .373
James Loney LAD .357
- Minor League Update:
Brandon Moss 2-for-5, HR (17) 4 RBI, .268 AVG
Alex Presley 2-for-4, 2RBI, SB, 2 RUNS .352 AVG
Justin Wilson (W 8-6) 6IP, 6H, 3R, 1ER, 4K, 2BB, 3.06 ERA
Nate Baker (ND) 5.1 IP, 5H, 1R 0ER, 5K, 2BB, 2.20 ERA
D’Arnaud 3-for-4, 2B, 2 SB, Run
Hague 2-for-5, HR (12), 2 Runs
- Derek Hanks was promoted to Triple-A Indy. In 26 games he had a 1.82 ERA.
- The Pirates bullpen has been lights out this season. Want proof? Check out these stats:
31-9 when the Pirates are tied or leading after the sixth inning
24-3 when leading after the seventh
29-1 when leading after the eigth
- Tweet from Hanrahan4467: Big win for us today! That’s a road series win too! We needed that!
And also looks like Ross is going to be ok, seemed fine after the game, and Cutch is feeling good too, very scary for both!
- Aki Iwamura had CT scans come back negative after collision with 1B for Class AAA Indianapolis.
Kristy Robinson
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