Shambles in the 7th, Bucs lose 7-2 to the Brewers

James McDonald continued to be impressive in his start last night. J-Mac had six strong innings and retired the first six in a row, including three strikeouts through two innings. He also had a 2-1 lead over the Brewers. However, things spiraled out of control in the seventh inning for McDonald and the Bucs.

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Two runs scored and it should have been a second out, Instead the Brewers toook a 3-2 lead.

“That’s a play that I make, in my back pocket, every day of the week,” Milledge said. “Unfortunately, I didn’t, and it cost us big.”

 

Jonathan Lucroy, who went 2-for-4 on the night, had an RBI single. J-Mac was pulled after 6.1 innings, seven hits, six earned runs, two walks and seven strikeouts.

Chris Resop came in for relief and gave up consecutive doubles by Corey Hart and Ryan Braun, three more runs scored.

The bleeding stopped after six runs scored, the Bucs down 7-2.

 

“I thought McDonald threw the ball very well,” said Pirates manager John Russell. “He just couldn’t get out of that inning. After that, he just couldn’t get back in the dugout. You can’t give up six runs in the seventh.”

“It’s not frustrating, things happen. We played hard. Things didn’t fall our way,” McDonald said. “I felt like I had good stuff today. Sometimes I’ve had great stuff and I’m out in the fourth inning. I still went deep in the game. Things didn’t fall our way, but we’ll get them next time.” 

 

 

Chris Synder hit a solo-home run and Ronny Cedeno hit a RBI single for the Bucs two runs.

James McDonald got the loss, dropping to 2-4 on the season.

Other News and Notes:

• The Pirates lost their oppurtunity to win three games in a row. The last time the Pirates did was June 30-July 2nd. They have only done so three times this season and four straight would have been the first.
• MLB Commissioner, Bud Selig said that he is convinced the Pirates are headed in the right direction.

“I evaluate everything that goes on, and people tell me the kids that they’re [drafting and] signing are good,” Selig said. “I know there’s frustration, and I understand that and I’m not unsympathetic. But I really think they’re on the right track.”Selig was asked whether he would like to see the Pirates increase payroll for 2011.

“That’s up to them, but I read already where they said they would,” Selig said. “People can talk about money, but they’ve spent a lot of money on scouting, a lot of money on player development. The frustration levels, I understand it from the fans’ standpoint. But it takes time to show. I’m satisfied that they are making good progress right now.”

Read more here

• September call-ups can begin on Wed but GM Neil Huntington said he will wait until the AAA-Indy season ends on Sept. 6th. Likely players to get the call would be John Bowker and Joe Martinez (who the Pirates received in the Giants trade, sending Javier Lopez). Also, Brad Lincoln, Charlie Morton, Jason Jarmillo and Pedro Ciriaco may be called up as well. Brandon Moss, who is not on the 40-man is also being considered.

Saturday’s Pitching Matchup:

Zach Duke 6-12, 5.10 ERA

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Chris Capuano 2-2, 3.72 ERA

Duke is coming off his best start of the season when he outdueled Mets’ Johan Santana. Zach pitched seven innings, gave up one run on five hits and struck out five. For Duke to be successful his sinker needs to be on and he needs to not have one huge run inning.

Capuano is replacing Manny Parra. Chris returned this season from a second Tommy John surgery. He has been primarily used from the pen’ and in his past 10 apperances, Capuano has not pitched more than three innings.