News and Notes 9/18

News and Notes:

• AA-Altoona OF Andrew Lambo has a sprained AC joint in his shoulder and “probably will be impacted by it the rest of this season,” director of player development Kyle Stark said, though he should be able to play “sooner rather than later.”

• (Via @RoccoDeMaro) Pirates rookie Pedro Alvarez now has team lead in OPS (.793)

• 12 of the World’s weirdest Stadiums -This Blog rules

• (Via @Dejan_Kovacevic) SS Ronny Cedeno  was scratched after an awkward BP session in which he one-armed almost everything to RF.

• In honor of Bobby Thomson and “The shot heard ’round the world” -ESPN Video
• As Pirates fans we are obviously very excited for the signings of Taillon and Allie, but what do some of the Pirates think of the young arms and what kind of advice do they have for them?

“There’s a lot to learn,” Alvarez said. “Just take it one day at a time and, obviously, work for the ultimate goal, which is to have a long, successful career up here. But if he takes it day by day and works on what he needs to work on and stays hungry, he should be OK.”

“I look forward to meeting them and seeing them play,” Alvarez said. “Hopefully, they can have a quick development and help us right away.”

“They were highly touted for a reason and I hope they’re as advertised,” said second baseman Neil Walker, the Pirates’ top pick and 11th overall selection in 2004. “I’m looking forward to them getting to work and looking forward to getting a chance to meet them. I hope they’re everything (people) think they’ll be.”

“Big guy, he has some stuff on his fastball” Andrew McCutchen said. “It’s good to see a power arm like that in the draft that we were able to pick up.”

“Velocity makes everything better” Chris Synder said. ”If you can control it and learn how to pitch, learn how to use your other stuff to go with it then it’s something that you don’t see a lot of. And to be able to have that is huge.”

• The Pirates spent a franchise-record $11.9 million on the draft, second in Major League Baseball only to the Washington Nationals’ $13.7 million. First-rounder Jameson Taillon received a franchise-record bonus of $6.5 million and second-rounder Stetson Allie received $2.25 million.

Allie’s bonus ranks sixth in franchise history, behind Taillon, Alvarez, Bryan Bullington ($4 million), Brad Lincoln ($2.75 million), Tony Sanchez ($2.5 million) and Daniel Moskos ($2.475 million).

Pittsburgh-Post Gazette

• Chris Resop lowered his ERA to 1.23 after pitching a scoreless inning Monday night. Since the Pirates claimed him off waivers from the Atlanta Braves on Aug. 4, he’s allowed three hits in 24 at-bats, struck out 10 in 71/3 innings and has been scored on just once. “He’s a guy who we feel has gotten very consistent his last few outings,” manager John Russell said. “I like the fact that his velocity has gotten up to what he was throwing a couple years ago when he was with Atlanta when he was out of the bullpen. He’s at the 94-to-96 range occasionally, and the thing about that is he’s got command. The 14-pitch at-bat (Monday) kind of hurt him, but he kept throwing strikes. If he can keep his breaking ball going, that’s going to be a big key for him.”

Trib Live

• Interesting article in the NY times: Study says brain trauma can mimic A.L.S – Is it possible Lou Gehrig didn’t have A.L.S? -New York Times
• After last night’s loss to the Marlins, the Pirates are only three games away from the 18th consecutive losing season.

Today’s pitching Matchup:

Josh Johnson 10-5, 2.27 ERA 

VS

Ross Ohlendorf 1-9, 3.25 ERA

Johnson had a 1.72 ERA through the month of July. His last outing however, was not very JJ like. He lasted only 3 2/3 innings to the Reds. He allowed a season-high six runs and a career-high 10 hits. In his last three starts, 17.1 innings pitched, he is 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA.

Ohlendorf pitched one of his best outings of the season. He  pitched 6 2/3 shutout innings, striking out seven. Ross got the No-decision after the bullpen allowed the Astros to take the lead. In Ohly’s last three starts, he is 0-1 with an 2.04 ERA. Ross has yet to pick up his second win on the season due to lack of run support.