Results tagged ‘ joe beimel ’
Seven run rally, homers, hurt Bucs in 11-2 loss
The Cincinnati Reds rallied to score seven runs off the Pirates pitching staff in the 5th inning in the 11-2 win at Great American Ballpark on Saturday afternoon.
Miguel Cairo reached base on an error by third baseman Pedro Alvarez in the 5th inning, and that’s when right-hander James McDonald ran into trouble. Joey Votto singled to put runners on the corners with no outs. McDonald got Jonny Gomes to strike out swinging and intentionally walked Jay Bruce to load the bases with one out.
After getting behind in the count, 3-1, Juan Francisco hit a single to right field to score Cairo. McDonald left a fastball up over the heart of the plate and Ramon Hernandez hit it into the second deck in left field for a grand slam.
James McDonald told Root Sports, “I didn’t throw the ball well. Bad game.”
“I think I was missing over the plate too much today, gave them good pitches to hit. “
McDonald was pulled from the game in the 5th after throwing 90 pitches. He allowed seven runs (six earned) on nine hits with two walks and two strikeouts.
Manager Clint Hurdle told Root Sports, “I saw him throw six of the cleanest innings you ever want to throw for 5 2/3′s the last time out. So, it’s there. I think this is part of the growth that you are going to see from time to time at the major league level. [When] you leave balls elevated in the big leagues, up in the strike zone, more often than not, they end up in the seats. Or there is damage done, and that’s what happened today.”
So what exactly does McDonald need to work on to bounce back for his next start against the Florida Marlins?
McDonald told Root Sports, “First things first is getting past [my] last outing, refresh your mind and get ready and get prepared for the next start. So that starts tomorrow. I’ll go look at film, start looking at the other things the next team is doing, prepare myself for that game. I think the biggest thing I need to do is focus on my next outing and leave this one there.”
The trouble for the pirates pitching staff didn’t end there. Rookie Mike Crotta came in for relief and allowed a two-run homer to Drew Stubs to give the Reds a 9-2 lead. Crotta’s homer was the first the Bucs bullpen has given up this season. They were one of just two teams in the majors to not allow a home run. A total of seven runs scored and 10 batters came to the plate in the 5th.
Two more runs scored in the 6th inning. Lefty Joe Beimel made his first appearance with the Pirates since 2003 and he allowed Joey Votto to hit a leadoff triple. Jonny Gomes hit a two-run home run — his second of the day, and the fourth homer allowed by the Bucs pitching staff.
Coming off of a great pitching performance by Charlie Morton the night before, James McDonald wasn’t aggressive from the get-go. His only 1-2-3 inning was in the first inning.
McDonald allowed Jonny Gomes to hit a solo homer to left in the 2nd inning to give the Reds a early 1-0 lead. He allowed at least two hits in each of the next four innings before being chased in the 5th after allowing seven runs (six earned).
The Pirates tacked on two runs in the 4th inning. Neil Walker and Pedro Alvarez drew back-to-back walks and Ryan Doumit singled to load the bases. Garrett Jones drew a walk, which scored Walker and Ronny Cedeno hit a sac fly to tie the game at 2.
Mike Leake improved to 2-0 on the season. He allowed two runs on four hits over six innings with four walks.
Nine runs scored combined in the 5th and 6th innings. It marked the first road loss by a Pirates starter this season. The Pirates drop to 6-8 on the season and 5-3 on the road.
Pirates add lefty Beimel; Designate Olson
On Friday the Pirates designated Left-hander Garrett Olson for assignment to make room for lefty Joe Beimel on the 40-man roster.
Beimel was rehabbing from arm soreness, which hindered him throughout spring training. He threw on back-to-back days for the Triple-A Indians where he faced the minimum (six) with three strike outs. It was reported that he had no issue afterwards.
Beimel told Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, “I got all my pitches working. I think that was the big thing. I got the back-to-back games in there to show them I’m ready to go and show myself I’m ready to go. That’s why I’m here.”
The club has 10 days to either trade, release or outright Olson to the minors, if he clears waivers.
Olson allowed one run on two hits over 4.1 (four appearances) innings in relief. He struck out four and walked one.
With Olson gone, Beimel is the only lefty in the bullpen.
*Photo credit: Joe Beimel- Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Pre-game News and Notes 4/15: Brewers @ Pirates
The Pirates (5-6) will face the Milwaukee Brewers (6-5) on Thursday at 7:05 PM/ET for the final game of the home stand.
Following the game, the Bucs will fly to Cincinnati for a three-game series starting Friday against the Reds.
Lefty-hander Paul Maholm will face lefty Randy Wolf.
Maholm is 0-1 this season, despite only allowing three earned runs over 12.1 innings.
Notes:
- Jose Tabata’s 10-game hitting streak came to an end on Wednesday, after going 0-for-2 with two walks against the Brewers.
Manager Clint Hurdle was very impressed with Jose Tabata’s plate discipline during his final at-bat in the 8th inning yesterday. Tabata, with the 10-game hitting streak on the line, drew a six pitch walk.
Hurdle told Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, “I’m not saying it’s normal, but you’ll find players at times that will put individual accomplishments in front of the game from time to time. A young man going up there, knowing what he needed to do and got down early in the count… took a walk. He’ll have other 10-game hitting streaks. He’ll have longer ones than that. But it was very encouraging to see that that’s his mindset. His mindset is not that he can have an 11-game hitting streak.”
- Evan Meek pitched a 1-2-3 9th inning on Wednesday. It was his first appearance since April 6th (right shoulder tightness).
News:
- Catcher Chris Snyder is back in Pittsburgh tonight and will be the lineup tonight. Snyder was activated from the disabled list on Wednesday.
- Left-hander Joe Beimel should be joining the club on Friday in Cincinnati. He completed his rehab assignment with the Triple-A Indians. The Pirates will need to add him to both the 40-man and 25-man roster.
- Third Baseman Pedro Alvarez will get the night off, giving Steve Pearce the start at third.
Alvarez, who is notorious for having a slow start to the season, is batting just .200. Manager Clint Hurdle and Alvarez were out early taking batting practice.
Hurdle told Rob Biertempfel of the Tribune, What I’d like him to do is go up there and be reactionary. He hasn’t gotten off to the start that he would like or we would like but it’s still early and I’m just trying to get him to focus on a couple absolutes at the plate. See the ball, number one, get a good pitch to hit, number two, know that he can attack the ball anywhere in the strike zone, it doesn’t need to be in a teacup. And just hit it hard where it’s pitched. I can tell you that.”
Brewers:
Rickie Weeks 2B, Carlos Gomez CF, Ryan Braun LF, Prince Fielder 1B, Casey McGehee 3B, Yuniesky Betancourt SS, Erick Almonte RF, Jonthan Lucroy C, Randy Wolf LHP
Pirates:
Jose Tabata LF, Neil Walker 2B, Andrew McCutchen CF, Matt Diaz RF, Steve Pearce RF, Lyle Overbay 1B, Chris Snyder C, Ronny Cedeno SS, Paul Maholm LHP
Pre-game News and Notes 4/13: Brewers @ Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates (5-5) will face the Milwaukee Brewers (5-5) at 7:05 for the first of a now two-game series.
Tuesday’s game was postponed due to rain. It will be made up on August 22 in part of a double-header. The first game will begin at 5:05 p.m. ET.
Right-hander Kevin Correia will face righty Shaun Marcum.
Correia out dueled Chris Carpenter during his last start pitching a seven inning shutout, limiting the Cardinals to just five hits while walking two and striking out three. Correia has been the Bucs most consistent starter this season. He even pitched an inning of relief during Friday’s 14-inning marathon game. Correia has allowed two earned runs over two starts (three appearances), 14 innings.
Marcum allowed two runs on five hits with two walks and four strikeouts over six innings against the Atlanta Braves his last start. Marcum is still working on his command after missing his next-to-last spring start with a stiff shoulder.
News:
- Jeff Karstens will no longer start in the rotation behind Kevin Correia and Paul Maholm (Thursday) because of the rainout, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.
Instead, Charlie Morton will pitch on Friday and James McDonald will go on Saturday. Sunday’s starter is still listed as TBD.
- Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com also reports that reliever Evan Meek has been cleared and is ready to go out of the bullpen tonight.
- Lefty Joe Beimel reported to have no issues on Wednesday after pitching on back-to-back days for the Triple-A Indians.
Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports that the Pirates want Beimel to have two days off to make sure he doesn’t have any negative effects.
Beimel could be with the big league team as early as Friday.
- After seeing video footage of Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers sliding head first into home plate on Tuesday, Manager Clint Hurdle discussed to the players the dangers of the head-first slide. Hamilton will be out six to eight weeks with a shoulder fracture.
Hurdle told Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, “You are very susceptible to injury, especially at home plate. I understand why people do it. I’m just not a big fan of it.”
Brewers:
Rickie Weeks 2B, Carlos Gomez CF, Ryan Braun LF, Prince Fielder 1B, Casey McGehee 3B, Mark Kotsay RF, Yuniesky Betancourt SS, Jonathan Lucroy C, Shaun Marcum RHP
Pirates:
Jose Tabata LF, Neil Walker 2B, Andrew McCutchen CF, Lyle Overbay 1B, Matt Diaz RF, Pedro Alvarez 3B, Ryan Doumit C Ronny Cedeno SS, Kevin Correia RHP
Pre-game News and Notes 4/12: Brewers @ Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates (5-5) will open up a three game series against the Milwaukee Brewers (5-5) tonight at 7:05. Right-hand pitcher Kevin Correia will face Righty Shaun Marcum.
Correia out dueled Chris Carpenter during his last start pitching a seven inning shutout, limiting the Cardinals to just five hits while walking two and striking out three. Correia has been the Bucs most consistent starter this season. He even pitched an inning of relief during Friday’s 14-inning marathon game. Correia has allowed two earned runs over two starts (three appearances), 14 innings.
Marcum allowed two runs on five hits with two walks and four strikeouts over six innings against the Atlanta Braves his last start. Marcum is still working on his command after missing his next-to-last spring start with a stiff shoulder.
- The Pirates were 5-13 against the Brewers last season (3-6 at PNC Park).
- Eight of the Bucs 10 games have been decided by two-runs or less.
- The Pirates started the season with 10 consecutive days with out a day off. After having Monday off, the Bucs will play 13 straight games until they get another off day (4/25).
News:
- Brad Lincoln was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list and was optioned to Triple-A on Monday according to Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com.
- Lefty Joe Beimel (left elbow) has made two rehab appearances (on back-to-back days) for Triple-A Indianapolis. He has retired all six batters he’s faced with three strikeouts.
- Andrew McCutchen has been ranked as the No.1 Center Fielder by MLB Network. But is he a 5-took player just yet? Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette dives into the argument.
- Shortstop Ronny Cedeno has been very inconsistent. We’ve seen him make amazing plays, and we’ve also seen him bobbled a routine grounder. The Pirates believe he has the tools to become a good major league shortstop and are not giving up on him just yet.
General Manager Neal Huntington told Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, “Part of the reason why we continue to give him the opportunity is that if it clicks, we’ve got a pretty good Major League shortstop. In the interim, we’ve got a Major League shortstop. Whether we like it or not, he’s not as far behind the average shortstop that you might like to feel he is and he makes you feel he is sometimes.”
“You look tools-wise, he can run, throw, hit and hit for power,” Huntington said. “He can do a lot of things that Major League shortstops can’t do. They just are more consistent. If we can get him to be consistent, we’ve got a pretty good player. It’s a big year for Ronny Cedeno.”
Brewers
Rickie Weeks 2B, Carlos Gomez CF, Ryan Bruan LF, Prince Fielder 1B, Casey McGehee 3B, Mark Kotsay RF, Yuniesky Betancourt SS, Jonathan Lucroy C, Shaun Marcum RHP
Pirates
Jose Tabata LF, Neil Walker 2B, Andrew McCutchen CF, Lyle Overbay 1B, Pedro Alvarez 3B, Ryan Doumit C, Garrett Jones RF, Ronny Cedeno SS, Kevin Correia RHP
Post game News and Notes 4/8
- The Texas Rangers claimed right-hander Ramon Aguero off waivers from the Pirates on Friday. Aguero was designated for assignment last week in order to place right-hander Jose Veras on the 40-man roster.
Aguero did not appear in any regular season games for the Pirates. He allowed two runs on two hits over 1.2 innings with three walks and two strikeouts during spring training.
Lefty Joe Beimel (left elbow) made a rehab appearance in the High-A Bradenton Marauders game on Friday. He pitched a scoreless inning of work, allowing all groundouts.
Catcher Chris Snyder (lower back) caught the High-A Bradenton Marauders game on Friday. He went 3-for-3 with a double, home run and six RBI.
Snyder is eligible to come off the disabled list on Saturday.
- Jason Jaramillo is currently serving as the Bucs backup catcher. His fate with the ball club could be effected once Snyder is reactivated from the DL.
Jaramillo told Colin Dunlap of the Post-Gazette, “You don’t wish any ill will on anyone. I hope he gets healthy, he is a big part of the club. But, at the same time, I feel like I can be a big part of the club as well.”
Jaramillo is 4-for-13 in three starts this season (.308 avg) with a RBI, walk and a stolen base. He also hit the game tying run in the 6th inning of Friday’s game.
- Rockies Manager Jim Tracy managed the Pirates from 2005-07. He was aware of Andrew McCutchen, who was in Triple-A by the time Tracy’s tenure came to an end.
Tracy told Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, “I’ve never seen the guy go to first base where I didn’t see a full, 100 percent effort every time he hit the ball. That’s a great place to start. When he plays the game, you don’t really know whether the Pirates are winning, losing or whatever. You just know that Andrew McCutchen is out there, this is how he plays, and this is how he’s going to continue to play for nine innings. You’ve got to love that type of player.”
“I was with him when he was 18 years old, walking around in our clubhouse when he wasn’t allowed to have a razor. He wasn’t old enough to have a razor. To see this guy grow into becoming the player he has become, he’s a special kid and he’s been that way since the first day I ever met him. When you sart talking about championship-caliber players, in my opinion that’s the criteria that has to be fulfilled in order to become that type of guy. That’s exactly who he is.”
Post game notes: Rockies @ Pirates 4/7
- Prior to today’s home opener, the Pirates had a tribute for Hall of Fame Manager Chuck Tanner who passed away in February. They showed a wonderful video tribute and also unveiled a decal of Tanner’s No. 7 jersey on the right center field wall.
Injury updates (reported by Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com)
Catcher Chris Snyder (lower back) and Right-hand pitcher Brad Lincoln (right arm contusion) are starting a rehab assignment with Single-A Bradenton.
Snyder will play in Thursday’s game and Lincoln will start for the Marauders on Monday. The Pirates have not said how long the rehab assignment will last. This marks Lincoln’s first game since being hit on the right arm with a line drive by the Phillies Jimmy Rollins.
Lefty Joe Beimel (left elbow) will throw on Friday.
- Neil Walker started in his first major league home opener this afternoon. Walker, a Pittsburgh native, told Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com prior to the game, “Well, it feels pretty good. Obviously, growing up in Pittsburgh and seeing a lot of home openers, I’m excited to be here. We’ve started the season off well. What more can you ask for? Thank you.”
- Manager Clint Hurdle met with media for a press conference prior to today’s game. He told Root Sports, “The home opener’s always special. Added significance this season for me personally; an opportunity to manage the Pittsburgh Pirates. I’m humbled by the opportunity. [I'm] Really looking forward to rolling my sleeves up with everybody in this organization and re-bonding the city with a ball club. And to finally get home, after starting on the road for a week, We’re happy to be home. Everybody in that clubhouse is happy to be home.”
- With a lead off single in the 1st inning, Jose Tabata extended his hit streak to seven games.
- The Pirates will face the Rockies again on Friday night at 7:05 PM/ET. Right-hander Ross Ohlendorf will start for the Bucs.
- Right-hand pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez (right thumb) was placed on the disabled-list, so the Pirates will not face him this series. The starters for the following three game are as follows: Jorge De La Rosa will start on Friday, followed by Greg Reynolds (vs. Charlie Morton) and Jhoulys Chacin (vs. James McDonald).
- Monday will be the first off day for the Pirates since opening day. Pittsburgh is the only team to open the season with 10 straight games without a day off.
Pre-game news and notes: Pirates @ Cardinals 4/6
The Pirates will face the St. Louis Cardinals at 1:35 this afternoon for the final game of the three game series. Right-hand pitcher Kevin Correia will face Righty Chris Carpenter in the rubber match of the series.
- Some injury updates:
Right-hander Jose Ascanio pitched one inning in an intrasquad game.
Left-hander Joe Beimel (left elbow soreness) pitched one inning in an intrasquad game.
Right-hander Brad Lincoln (right forearm contusion) pitched three innings in an infrasound game.
Lefty-hander Scott Olsen (left shoulder inflammation) threw a bullpen.
Catcher Chris Snyder (lower back tightness) caught five innings and had three at bats in an intrasquad game.
–All without issue on Tuesday.
- The Pirates are 3-2 so far this season on the road and are just one game from picking up back-to-back road series wins since August of 2007.
Manager Clint Hurdle has been trying different things this season and is trying to shake things up. He told Nate Latasch, “We’re just trying to do some things differently, trying to find a way to recreate an atmosphere … maybe a routine that they fall into more at home than on the road. You become a slave to routines in this game and on the road, you can get into some bad ones. You get home late. You eat late. You sleep in. You get up. You go right to the park and eat. We’re just trying to get them up and get them moving.”
Pirates:
Jose Tabata LF, Neil Walker 2B, Andrew McCutchen CF, Lyle Overbay 1B, Pedro Alvarez 3B, Ryan Doumit C, Garrett Jones RF, Josh Rodriguez SS, Kevin Correia RHP
*Josh Rodriguez, will be making his major league debut today.
Cardinals:
Ryan Theriot SS, Colby Rasmus CF, Albert Pujols 1B, Lance Berkman RF, Allen Craig LF, Skip Schumaker 2B, Yadier Molina C, Daniel Descalso 3B, Chris Carpenter RHP
Post-game News and notes: 4/2
- Right-hand pitcher Evan Meek is the kind of guy that want’s to get back out there the next day and redeem himself from the previous outing. Meek told Root Sports, “That’s the good thing about being a reliever. You know, you go out there and you don’t have your best stuff you know your going to get back out there soon. You just have to have a short memory. You can’t leave the ballpark beating your head about it. It’s not going to do me any good, it’s not going to do our team any good to do that. Tomorrow’s a new day, it’s a new game.”
- Injury updates:
James McDonald threw a successful bullpen session today without issue. McDonald (left side) will be ready to pitch on Tuesday against the Cardinals in St. Louis.
Left-hand reliever Joe Beimel (left elbow) threw a live batting practice session today in Bradenton, Fla. Catcher Chris Snyder (lower back) caught the session. Both were reported to be successful and without issue.
- The Pirates are not expected to compete in the National League Central this season, in fact, the Bucs are expected to finish fifth or sixth in the Central with an estimate of about 70-75 wins. But don’t tell the players that. They believe this team can prove the naysayer’s wrong.
Andrew McCutchen told Rob Biertempfel of the Tribune, “They have a reason not to talk about us right now, We have to change it around. We don’t listen to what everyone else says. We just focus on what’s in front of us.”
Pitcher Kevin Correia told Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, “Other people probably don’t have expectations for us. As a team — as an organization — we have high expectations. You have to. There is no way to start a season with no or low expectations. You’re already beat then. Just because no one else has high expectations for us, we still do.”
Third baseman Pedro Alvarez added, “I think we have a pretty special bunch of guys,” Alvarez said. “If there is one thing we do well here, it is live in the moment. We don’t live in the past. We don’t look too far into the future. We look at the present. Right now, we have a great group of guys that can do some damage. Offensively, I think we’re pretty balanced.”
- Pirates No. 1 pitching prospect Jameson Taillon will start the season in extended spring training instead of Low-A West Virginia Power, like it was previously reported.
Taillon, who was selected in the first round (2nd overall) by the Pirates in the 2010 draft, will have limited innings this season and the organization does not want him to be done before the season ends.
General Manager Neal Huntington told Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, “We’re going to keep him in a controlled environment and slowly stretch him out. That way he can hopefully still be able to pitch at the end of the West Virginia season and have some innings left in him for instructional league. It’s all about the innings.”
Langosch also reports the same will go for right-hander Stetson Allie who was the Bucs second round pick in the same draft.
Day 43 of Pirates spring training: news and notes
The Pirates will face the Minnesota Twins at 1:05 today in Fort Myers, Fla., for the final game of the spring. You can listen to the game on 970 ESPN (Pittsburgh) or watch it on MLB Network.
Right-hander Jeff Karstens will start for the Bucs against Left-hander Francisco Liriano.
Karstens is making his fifth appearance (first start) this spring. He is scheduled to throw five innings (80 pitches).
- My apologizes for the late updates the past two days. MLBlogs was down for updates, I was in Ohio for my Dad’s surprise 50th birthday party and I am also battling a cold. Everything is updated, so be sure to read some of the previous posts to get up to speed. It was a busy weekend for the Pirates.
- I’ll be heading to Chicago for Opening weekend on April 1st and 2nd (which is also my birthday). If you will be at Wrigley and/or making the trip, be sure to let me know and Ill come say hello.
- Right-hander James McDonald threw a bullpen this morning at McKechnie Field without issue according to Colin Dunlap of the Post Gazette. McDonald is scheduled to throw a simulated game on Thursday (five innings). If J-Mac is not ready to pitch on April 5th, Jeff Karstens will spot start for him.
- Left-hander Joe Beimel (elbow) threw a 30-pitch bullpen session on Sunday and reported no issues afterwards.
- Right-hander Brad Lincoln (right forearm contusion) continues to progress. Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports that there is a chance that Lincoln could remain in extended Spring Training before joining Triple-A Indianapolis.
- On Thursday’s edition of MLB Tonight on MLB Network, the analysts discussed small and large market teams success and how missing on one draft can sink a small market team for years (read more here).
- Following the game today, the Pirates will fly to Philadelphia. The Bucs will play two exhibition games against the Phillies on Tuesday and Wednesday. Ross Ohlendorf will face Roy Oswalt on the 29th, Charlie Morton will face Cole Hamels on the 30th.
- Former Pirates Extra Innings host, Rocco DeMaro, announced today he will have a new podcast this season. Be sure to check him out here.
Pirates
Lineup: Tabata LF, Walker 2B, McCutchen CF, Doumit DH, Pearce 1B, Diaz RF, Cedeno SS, Rodriguez 2B, Jaramillo C
Pitchers: Karstens, Resop, Olson
Twins:
Lineup: Span CF, Nishioka 2B, Mauer C, Morneau 1B, Kubel DH, Young LF, Cuddyer RF, Valencia 3B, Casilla SS
Pitchers: Loriano, TBA
Kristy Robinson
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