September 2010
Pre-Game Notes 9/25: Searage’s effect on starters, Astros vs Pirates
How much effect does Ray Searage have on the Pirates starting rotation? Consider this, In the last 15 games the starters are a combined 5-3 with a 3.46 ERA –the best stretch all season.
Manager John Russell credits the addition of James McDonald to the staff. Russell said J-Mac’s 0.90 ERA in his last three starts is “challenging some of our other pitchers to try to follow suit.”
Joe Kerrigan was fired on August 8th, and Russell has credited Searage for the positive results.
“A lot of the things we’ve been talking about for the past month and a half is that we can’t be so results-oriented. Those have to take care of themselves,” Russell said. “Our guys have done that, and we’re making progress. Unfortunately, it took until now. But they’re looking at consistency with each pitch.”
But what exactly does Searage stress to the pitchers?
“It’s all about going pitch to pitch, one at a time,” he said. “If you commit yourself fully to that pitch, you’ve got a much better chance of success. If you’re worried about this or that or things out of your control, you’re in trouble right off the bat.”
Kerrigan focused more on the numbers in relation to specific matchups, whereas, Searage has a more hands on approach. He also allows the pitchers and catchers more freedom with selection of pitches which makes the pitcher more relaxed and not over analyzing every pitch count. Several members of the pitching staff and the catchers have embraced Searage’s style of pitching.
Notes:
The Pirates have won four of their last five series played at PNC Park and are 11-11-3 in their 25 series at home this season.
The Pirates have homered at least once in 11 of their last 14 games at home and have out homered their opponents 18-11 in their past 17 games at PNC Park.
The Pirates have recorded at least one extra base hit in a season-high 36 consecutive games.
The Pirates have scored the first run in seven of their last nine games and are 38-30 when doing so. They are 38-21 when scoring four or more runs this year.
Jose Tabata is back in the lineup after leaving the game early on Friday with a sore left knee.
He’s such an energetic player for us and he does some great things behind Andrew [McCutchen],” Russell said. “It’s good to have him back in there. The reports we had last night were it’s going to be kind of day to day. It calmed down quite a bit. One of the first things he said today was he wanted to play.”
Pitching Matchup:
RHP Bud Norris (9-8, 4.95 ERA)
Vs
LHP Zach Duke (7-14, 5.68 ERA)
Norris has a 7.71 ERA his only start at PNC Park this season. He picked up his third consecutive win his last start against the Nationals. Norris allowed two runs through 6.2 innings pitched and his nine wins is a career high.
Duke will be making his final start of the season at PNC Park. He is 30-31 in 80 career starts, winning more than any other pitcher. Duke allowed three runs through 7.1 innings of work his last start against Arizona. He walked one and struck out three but received a no-decision. His 7.1 inning start was his longest this season, and just the seventh time he has pitched past the sixth inning this year. Duke is 0-1 with a 3.60 ERA against Houston this season.
Pirates Lineup:McCutchen 8
Tabata 7
Walker 4
Jones 3
Alvarez 5
Doumit 2
Bowker 9
Cedeno 6
Duke 1
Rudy Owens said his changeup got even better this year
Rudy Owens, the Pirates 28th-round selection in the 2006 draft, is 27-18 with a 2.92 ERA in his three years in the minor league system.
With Double-A Altoona this season, Owens was 12-6 with a 2.46 ERA. The 22-year old is most likely to start the 2011 season with the Triple-A Indians. If Owens continues to pitch well we may see him in a Pirates uniform at some point next season.
“I went into this year just trying to take everything in — trying to learn from the hitters, learn from my catchers and how they call they games, learn from my stuff,” Owens said. “I kind of caught on and trusted my stuff and my ability to call my own games. That’s where I took off.”
His changeup is a big reason for his success.
“I worked on it during the throwing program, messing with the grip, until I felt comfortable,” Owens said. “You’ve got to throw it to make it feel good. I threw it enough and got comfortable with it. I messed with the grip until I got to that point. It’s something I’ve got to perfect. I’ve got to be able to throw it in the strike zone when I want to or in the dirt when I need to. I’m just trying to get the guy to swing or miss.”
Karstens eager to pitch again
Jeff Karstens threw another side session on Friday and is eager to pitch again before the season ends.
“I feel like I can pitch,” Karstens said. “I don’t know how sharp I’ll be. I threw about 50 pitches, and it got better as I went along.”
“Karstens, I think, is going to be able to pitch for us,” Pirates manager John Russell said. “It’s still a daily process. He threw on the side Friday, and if everything continues to go well, hopefully … we’d like to get him out there.”
Karstens, who is out with shoulder fatigue, hasn’t started since 8/31.
Owens, Presley receive Minor league awards
Before the Pirates game on Friday against the Astros, Rudy Owens and Alex Presley were honored with Pittsburgh’s Minor league Pitcher and Player of the year awards.
Owens, which received the award last year as well and Presley have had great seasons this year.
Owens spent the 2010 season in Double-A finishing 12-6 with a 2.36 ERA in 26 starts. His ERA was the lowest among pitchers in the Eastern League and his 132 strikeouts were third best.
Presley had a great 2010 season. He spent 67 games in Double-A batting .350 and was promoted to Triple-A where he hit .294 in 69 games. Presley’s breakout season allowed him to be a September call-up and make his major league debut.
Here are a few pictures of them receiving the awards with General Manager Neal Huntington.
J-Mac not efficient, Bucs lose 100th
McDonald needed 32 pitches to record an out in the first inning –42 pitches–overall and lasted just four innings as the Pirates lost 10-7 to the Astros on Friday night.
The loss was the Pirates 100th of the season –the eighth time in franchise history and the first time since 2001.
The loss also ensured no .500 season at PNC Park this year. (The Pirates needed to sweep the Astros to finish with a winning record at home.)
“It’s an abysmal season as far as record goes,” Pirates manager John Russell stated. “We’re still concentrating on a lot of the things we need to do and making a lot of progress with our young players, and I’ve seen a lot of progress this last month and a half. But you can’t sugarcoat the record. It is what it is, and it’s awful, but we have to focus on getting these guys to be the players they can be.”
McDonald pitched four innings allowing three runs on five hits. It was his shortest outing since July 31st with the Dodgers. After needing 42 pitches to end the first inning, J-Mac needed 38 pitches the next three innings combined.
“Eighty pitches in four innings, that’s a lot,” Russell explained. “McDonald took a long time to get out of the first, the first two hitters really hurt him, so more than anything it was just a lot of pitches to throw in four innings. It’s getting toward the end of the season, and we didn’t want to push him anymore.”
McDonald also walked two batters in the first. Most of the pitches thrown in the first came from Bourgeois and Sanchez who worked 10 and 12 pitch counts.
“They put together two good at-bats the first two hitters,” McDonald said. “I threw a lot of pitches, and I tip my hat to them. They had two good at-bats.”
Astros starter Brett Myers extended his streak to 32 consecutive starts of six or more innings. It is the longest streak since Curt Schilling in 2002 with the Dbacks. Myers pitched six innings allowing six runs (one earned) on six hits.
Jose Tabata was pulled after the third inning. While running home on a two-RBI double by Garrett Jones, Tabata was removed from the game with left knee irritation.
“Tabata should be all right,” Russell said. “He had some irritation in his left knee under his left knee cap. He said from time to time it bothers him a little bit, and he made kind of a sudden stop and felt it and felt he could still play, but he was limping a little bit, and we didn’t want to take a chance with him. Strength is good, all the joints are good, and the X-rays came back negative. He’s day-to-day, and I know he wants to play, and we’ll see how he is Saturday.”
The Bucs battled throughout the game. Garrett Jones had a big night at the plate going 2-for-4 with four RBI. McCutchen also went 2-for-4 with walk, Alvarez went 1-for-3 with two RBI.
”I was very pleased with the offense. It was one of our better execution games,” Russell said. “We got guys over, and we got guys in, and we got sacrifice flies, and we got bunts down, and we did some good things to score runs. We just couldn’t find the combination to shut them down.”
The Bullpen struggled however, allowing seven runs through five innings of work. Daniel McCutchen allowed two, Leroux allowed three and supringsly, Hanrahan allowed two in the ninth.
“McCutchen and Leroux were just inconsistent and got behind,” Russell said. “That’s what hurt us all night.”
The Astros Brandon Lyon picked up his19th save allowing just one hit in the bottom of the ninth.
Pre-Game News 9/24: Owens, Presley to be honored; Astros vs Pirates
Before the Pirates open up the final three game series at PNC Park this season, Rudy Owens and Alex Presley will be awarded as Pittsburgh’s minor league pitcher and player of the year.
Owens spent the 2010 season in Double-A finishing 12-6 with a 2.36 ERA in 26 starts. His ERA was the lowest among pitchers in the Eastern League and his 132 strikeouts were third best. This is his second straight year receiving this award.
Presley had a great 2010 season. He spent 67 games in Double-A batting .350 and was promoted to Triple-A where he hit .294 in 69 games. Presley’s breakout season allowed him to be a September call-up and make his major league debut.
- The Pirates need to sweep the Astros in order to finish the season .500 at home.
Pitching Matchup:
Brett Myers (13-7, 2.76 ERA)
Vs.
James McDonald (4-4, 3.50 ERA)
Myers streak is still intact –31 straight starts pitching at least six innings–. Myers 2.76 ERA in third best in the National League. He is 2-0 with a 2.18 ERA against the Pirates this season. Myers picked up his 13th win his last start against the Reds allowing no runs on six hits through seven innings.
McDonald’s streak was broken his last start –20 innings without allowing a run–. J-Mac picked up his fourth win pitching five innings (101 pitches) allowing two runs on four hits, striking out six. McDonald has been dominant at PNC Park since being acquired from the Dodgers going 4-1 with a 2.40 ERA.
Astros Lineup:
Bourgeois 8
Sanchez 6
Pence 9
Lee 7
Keppinger 4
Johnson 5
Quintero 2
Wallace 3
Myers 1
Pirates Lineup:
McCutchen 8
Tabata 7
Walker 4
Jones 3
Alvarez 5
Bowker 9
Cedeno 6
Snyder 2
McDonald 1
John Russell wants to be here next year and beyond
Rumors continue to swirl regarding Manager John Russell’s fate with the ball club. Russell is still under contract for the 2011 season, but President Frank Coonelly said recently that no one’s job was safe.
Currently sitting on 99 losses and on pace to lose 106, something needs to be changed. So will John Russell and his staff –who were brought in 2007– be around next season? A decision that will be made after the season ends, Russell says he wants to see the Bucs turnaround through.
“I’ve said it a million times — the day I start worrying about my job is the day I stop doing my job well,” Russell said. “I can’t worry about that. I’m under contract for next year and fully intend to be here. I don’t see any reason why I wouldn’t be here, in my mind.
“I’m sure there are a lot of people who would disagree with that, since everybody has their opinion. There’s some really good things going on, and I’d like to be a part of that and expect to be a part of that.”
Despite the win/loss record, things are getting better in the Pirates organization. Talented players are trickling in and will continue to do so as long as the plans on attacking the draft continue.
But is John Russell the manager that could lead these young guys to a .500 season and beyond?
“It’s not a matter of ‘if’ but a matter of ‘when,’ and it’s closer than a lot of people think,” Russell said. “Absolutely, I want to be here. I would like to be here, because I’ve watched it grow. Whether I’m here or anybody else is here, it’s going to happen.”
Jones hopes to avoid platoon spilt
Garrett Jones has been struggling since the end of June. Even he has acknowledged it saying “It’s been a struggle.”
Moving into the 2011 season, General Manager Neal Huntington said they might look into a platoon situation for Garrett Jones who hits well against righties (.271/.340/.450) and struggles against lefties (.213/.253/.343).
But does Jones think he can play everyday?
“Yeah. My production was down this year. But nothing’s set in stone,” Jones said. “I think they’re just looking at different options for next year. For me, I’ve got to go into the off-season and really work on my swing, find a way to get out of some of these funks I’ve had. I’ll come in prepared for next season and, whatever decision they make … I’m going to make it hard on them to do something like that.”
Adam LaRoche says Andy needs to “hang in there”
Since Pedro Alvarez took over third base, there hasn’t been many Andy LaRoche sightings. Used primarily as a pinch-hitter LaRoche’s average continues to sit around the Mendoza line.
LaRoche is batting .204. He has just one hit in his last 26 at-bats, 11 in his past 92.
Adam LaRoche (Andy’s older brother and ex-Pirate) said the reason for his struggles is his lack of playing time. –Andy has started just three times since July 4th.
“I can’t relate to what’s happening to Andy in the sense that he’s getting three or four at-bats a week,” Adam LaRoche said Sunday. “I don’t know the answer. I’ve told him to hang in there. What can you do? Hopefully, sooner than later, get a change of scenery and kind of have a fresh start.”
Andy has decided to pay winter ball in Venezuela to get some more at-bats. He is eligible for arbitration and considering his lack of playing time, I would highly doubt the Pirates would tender him.
“He needs that for himself,” Adam LaRoche said. “He needs to go prove to himself that he can still play this game and that other teams can still benefit from having him.”
General Manager Neal Huntington addressed LaRoche’s lack of playing time.
“Obviously, when we traded for Andy, we expected more,” Huntington said. “It’s tough to go from playing regularly to a bench role, and it can take time to get used to it. Some never get used to it. We’ve talked a lot about quantity of quality. We need to have a number of good prospects at every position. Andy LaRoche has a good chance to bounce back. You see guys like this in the All-Star Game every year. But, to this point, Andy is one example of why you can’t count on just that one prospect. They don’t always make it.”
Pujols goes deep (twice), Pirates snap the five-game win streak
The Pirates five-game win streak was snapped by the Cardinals as they pounded on the Pirates in a 9-2 loss at PNC Park.
Brian Burres –who was 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA in his last three starts– was pulled after allowing four runs through 2.1 innings.
“He didn’t have much,” manager John Russell said. “When they start taking good swings off of him, that’s when you know he’s not really on. When he’s on, teams don’t swing the bat very well off of him. He had a couple hitters where he looked like he was getting it back, and he just couldn’t maintain it.”
Pujols hit two home runs in the game, the first coming off of Burres in the third inning after walking Schumaker on four straight balls.
“I got the head out, and it was good enough to go out of the park,” Pujols said. “It was a pretty good pitch, and I was able to stay inside the ball.”
Burres missed badly and quickly gave the Cardinals a 2-0 lead.
“Farther in,” Burres said where he tried to locate the ball. “With him, you need to especially get your pitches to where they need to be. Obviously, I needed to execute that pitch a little better, and I didn’t.”
The pitching continued to spiral after Burres was knocked out early. Chan Ho Park, Sean Gallagher and Wil Ledezma all allowed at least one run in their innings of work.
“If you pitch well, you give yourself a chance,” Russell said. “You get down, it’s tough to scrape back. With a team like St. Louis … it’s tough to keep them at bay.”
The Pirates must win their final three games against the Astros starting Friday in order to finish the season .500 at home.
Kristy Robinson
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