The Pirates start the second half on a sour note

 

Pirates lost last night 5-2 and are now 0-7 against the Astros this season. I’m not sure if the players forgot how to play baseball over the All-Star Break or what. The game last night was just plain ugly. Mistake after mistake. It was like I was watching the movie Major league, but the live version.

Bourgeois stole second base and then third off Doumit in the first inning which resulted in a run with a ground out to short from Keppinger. Doumit also had 3 passed balls, and went 0-4 with a K.

Carrasco came into the game and the first pitch he threw resulted in a solo HR (Keppinger).

Andy LaRoche came into PH and got a walk. With Tabata on and Walker at the plate down 4-1, LaRoche got picked off second.

I don’t even want to discuss the run down that was probally the worst play I have ever seen in my life.

Gallagher had a balk called.

It was just ugly. Plain Ugly. 

The Pirates didn’t bring the bats out last night either. Going into the 7th inning the Pirates had only 2 hits.

The only good part of the evening was Evan Meek. Fresh off his All-Star weekend he came in and struck out the sides in the 8th.

Zack Duke actually pitched pretty well. He went 5IP, 5H, 2R, 5K, 0BB. Threw 78 pitches. (He was on a 75 pitch count) Duke gave us the chance to win, the Pirates unfortunately lost this one with poor defense.

 

“I felt good,” he said. “I felt like I was commanding the ball pretty well. I felt like the stuff was crisp. The curveball was good. The changeup was good. The fastball was down.” -Zack Duke

“Not the game you’re looking for anytime of the year,” manager John Russell said. “A few too many mistakes. Some mental lapses. Again, we’ve got to take some heat off those mistakes by scoring some runs.”

 

Pirates.com 

 

 

• Ronny Cedeno has postive outlook for second half.

After starting 57 of the team’s first 64 games, Cedeno saw shortstop Bobby Crosby take the majority of the playing time beginning on June 16. Manager John Russell hoped that benching Cedeno would force the 27-year-old infielder to understand the need for better consistency and focus. It also gave Cedeno time to adjust his batting stance — the goal being that Cedeno would drive more balls — with hitting coach Don Long.

“I think this has really helped me,” Cedeno said, speaking to the events of the past month. “It was a help for me because they’re trying to make me a better player. That’s what I want. I’m going to try the best I can in the second half to finish strong, hit balls hard, take good at-bats, play with emotion. I want to show them that I’m here for one reason.”

“He’s been doing a much better job,” Russell said. “He’s attentive on defense. He’s having pretty good at-bats. He’s not letting things bother him. That’s what we’ve been striving for with him. Hopefully he’s turned the corner.

“I’m trying to be consistent because that’s what they want me to do,” Cedeno said. “Sometimes I’m trying to do too much. That’s what happens. We have a lot of games left, and I’m going to stay positive. I’m going to trust myself.”

Pirates.com

• Erik Kratz was called up a few days a few days ago. Last night at the ball park he was walking around with a constant smile on his face. I took a few pictures of him. I’m hoping he gets the start on sunday, I’m excited for him to get his first start.

 

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• With Stan Savran for an interview for Pirates Post Game

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Chatting with Pirates bench coach Gary Varsho. I apologize, my camera on my phone isnt very good. When he gets his first start ill be sure to use my real camera for better pictures.

A mini bio on Kratz:

• He was drafted by TOR in 2002, 29th round.
• He has played 9 minor league seasons with 8 different teams
• .254 AVG, 77HR, 295 RBI in 611 Career games
• This season with AAA Indy he was batting .296, 9HR, 37RBI

 

Other Pirates News:

• Jeff Locke in his AA Debut: 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
• Pirates officially moved RHP Chris Jakubauskas to 60-day DL. 
• Eastern League All Star Game: 

Chase D’Arnaud 1-2, Grand Slam, Named MVP

Josh Harrison 2-2, triple, 2RBI

Derek Hankins 1IP, 0H, 0er, 2K

• Most consecutive team AB without HR with runners on:

1984 ASTROS – 1,252

1979 ASTROS – 1,159

1976 ANGELS -1,157

1983 INDIANS – 1,089

1976 PADRES – 1,076

1974 RED SOX – 1,008

2010 PIRATES – 1,003

 

 

 If you have ever been to PNC Park before, you know how beautiful the view is. Well, last night the sky was looking pretty cool so I took a few pictures of it to share with you guys.

 

 

 

 

 

 After the game was over, I headed up to the HOF Club to meet up with a few friends and to watch Rocco Demaro’s post game show live.

 

Rocco interviewing Neal Huntington.

The highlight of my night by far was meeting Dave Parker. We sandwiched him. That’s stacy (left) and me on the right.=)

Today’s Pitching Matchup:

Bud Norris (2-6) 5.97 ERA. 

VS

Ross Ohlendorf (1-7) 4.22 ERA.

I won’t be at the game tonight, I gave my ticket away, I have a Bridal shower to go to. So no live updates via twitter or pictures. I’ll be back on Sunday though ready to fight the heat. =)

 
 

Around the Ballparks:

• The Yankees beat the Twins last night with a walk off Single by Nick Swisher. Emotions were running high (they had a pre game ceremony for Steinbrenner). If you missed the ending, watch the video here
• Worst bullpen in last 50 years was Tampa Bay’s 6.16 ERA in 2007. The Dbacks went into last nights game with a 6.59 ERA.
• Ryan Tatusko, who plays for AA Frisco RoughRiders (TEX) went 9IP, 0ER, 6H, 1BB, 5K last night winning 9-1. He has only Allowed 2ER in 28IP over last 4 starts
• Russell Martin excited last nights game with swollen left thumb. Here is what he had to say after the game:

@dylanohernandez: Martin: “They’re going to have to knock me out before they put me on the DL.”

@dylanohernadnez: Martin: “I don’t mind playing banged up. It’s part of the job.”

@dylanohernandez: Martin said his thumb started to bother him when the Dodgers were in Arizona. Tonight was the first time he felt it swinging the bat.

• Bengie Molina, yes you read that correctly, hit for the Cycle last night. The first cycle hit at Fenway since 6/6/96 (John Valentin), 1st by Ranger since 4/15/09 (Ian Kinsler).
• Kevin Wood was placed on the DL for a blister on his right finger. Jensen Lewis was called up from AAA Columbus.