Bucs win 11-9 in a very Bizarre game
Last night’s game against the Brewers was possibly one of the most absurd games I think I’ve ever seen.
The Pirates sent 13 men to the plate in the first inning against Dave Bush. They scored 9 runs, 7 hits, the Brewers commited 3 errors.
Pedro Alvarez hit his First Career Grand Slam.
PE-DRO! PE-DRO!
“I was worried about putting a good piece on them and then in my head, blowing them out,” said Alvarez, speaking both to the grand slam and the second-inning solo shot that gave him his first career multi-homer game. “I want to be that guy that when we need someone to step up, steps up.”
- Pedro is the first Pirates with two HR in the first two innings of a game since Jeff King hit two HR in the second inning (1995 at SF)
- The Last time the Pirates scored at leaast 9 runs in the first inning was June 8, 1989 at Philly.
- Both of the Pirates Grand Slams this season have come against the Brewers. (Alvarez last night and Doumit 04/27)
You would think with a 9 run first inning it would be a laughable game. Nope.
Brad Lincoln pitched his shortest outing of his career. 2.1 IP, 9H, 7R, 7ER, 1K, 1HR.
“The game should never have gotten to the point that it did, and I take that all on my shoulders,” said Lincoln, who sports a 6.29 ERA. “When you get a team down like that, hold them. Keep them down. I guess you could say I got comfortable out there, and that’s not the way to go about things.”
It snowballed on him,” Russell said. “[It's] just a learning experience. We’ll continue to build, continue to push forward with him.”
In just two innings 17 runs were scored.
Pedro hit a Solo HR in the 2nd inning. It was his first career multi HR game.
DJ Carrasco came into the game and pitched very well. 2.2 IP, 1H, 1BB, 5K.
Donnelly gave up a 2 Run homer in the 6th inning to bring the game within 1 run. (10-9)
John Russell got tossed after arguing about a very late called foul ball. He was cleary in the wrong, but nonetheless I live to see JR with expression and showing he cares about the team.
Erik Kratz threw out Escobar, trying to steal second base. (Sorry, but no way Doumit would have done that)
Neil Walker went 5 for 5 on the night. He is the first Pirates Rookie to have a 5 hit game since July 23,1991 (John Wehner, also another Pittsburger)
“It’s awesome. John’s my man. I love John,” Walker said of the current Pirates TV broadcaster. “It’s a special day and certainly something I’m going to remember forever, really.”
Meek (1 IP, 0H, 1K) and Hanrahan (1 IP, 1H, 2K) were nasty as always. And Dotel came in for his 20th save of the season. (1 IP, 1H, 3K)
The Pirates bullpen combined for 6.2 IP, 5H, 2ER, 11K
“We got a talented bunch of guys, we’ve talked about it when we called them up, that they would have a lot of talent,” Russell said. “They’re going to go through some tough times. They’re also going to have a lot of fun and do some pretty good things. Just look at what we have here now. They’re young, but they’re very talented players and they’re able to do very good things, and it gets a little contagious.”
Other Pirates News:
- Pirates have a .331 team avg since All-Star Break (3rd in MLB)
- Ronny Cedeno -2010 Season Splits:
APR MAY JUNE JULY
AB 77 88 58 32
AVG .208 .295 .121 .428
2B 3 5 0 8
RUNS 6 5 1 6
- Neil Walker on the year: .311/.345/.457
- Pirates getting calls on reliever Joel Hanrahan, but the Price remains very high, sources say (via @jonmorosi)
- The Calvary last night (sans Lincoln): 8/14, 2B, 2HR, BB. Over last four games: 24/53, 7 SB, 2HR, 4 BB = .453, .491, .698 = 1.189 OPS (via @roccodemaro)
- Andrew McCutchen (ranks among centerfielders)
AVG: .289 -6th
OBP: .364 -4th
SB: 21 -T 5th
Runs: 55 -5th
Assits: 4 -T 8th
- Atleast five teams have inquired about trade for Pirates reliever DJ Carrasco (via @RobBiertempfel)
- AAA Indy put outfielder Bryan Myrow on the DL and activated infielder Brian Friday.
- AA Altoona put infielder Shelby Ford (sprained right ankle) on the DL.
- The Pirates sign 8 latin American Players -BucsBits
- The Dodgers are interested in Paul Maholm -MLBTradeRumors
Today’s Pitching Matchup:
Randy Wolf 7-8, 4.56 ERA
Wolf is 5-4 on the road this season and has won his last three decisions. He is 1-1 at PNC Park and has two no decisions at home VS the Pirates this season.
VS.
Zach Duke 3-9, 5.38 ERA
Duke’s last start off the DL was a good one, 78 Pitches, 53 for Strikes, 5 IP, 5H, 2R, 2ER, 5K. He should be free to go as deep as he can from here on out.
Around the Ballparks:
- Charlie Manuel said Jamie Moyer definitely is heading to the DL. Described injury as similar to JA Happs injury. (via @toddzolecki)
- Tommy Hunter became the first starting pitcher to start a season 7-0 in Rangers francise history.
- Rays Carl Crawford day to day with testicular contusion (ouch!)
- Manny Ramirez is back on the DL for the third time this season (strained right calf). Joe Torre called it “a significant strain” and said Ramirez could be out about three weeks.
- Carlos Zambrano is expected to pitch thursday for Triple-A Iowa.
- Nick Swisher hit his 150th career HR last night against the Angels.
- The Yankees placed Andy Pettitte on the DL and recalled Jonathan Albaladejo from AAA Scranton.
- “Sweet Lou” Piniella annouced he will retired at the end of the season. -MLB.com
- Matt Holliday (Since June 18th, 27 games):
.370AVG, 11HR, 31 RBI, .790 SLG%
- I thought the Pirates game was crazy last night. Well, it wasn’t the only strange game. If you missed the Giants/Dodger game catch all the highlights here: MLB.com
Kristy Robinson
