Results tagged ‘ lance berkman ’
Bucs can’t hold on to early lead, lose 3-2 to Cardinals
The Pirates quickly got to right-hand pitcher Kyle McClellan, scoring two runs in the 1st inning, but the bats fell silent as they lost 3-2 to the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Tuesday.
Jose Tabata lead off the 1st inning with a double to center field before Lyle Overbay hit a home run, his first as a Bucco, to give the Pirates an early 2-0 lead.
James McDonald, who was sidelined several weeks in spring training due to left side soreness, allowed two runs on four hits over 4.2 innings in his season debut while walking four and striking out four. He threw 87 pitches, 51 for strikes.
McDonald told Nate Latasch of MLB.com, “It was progress. I got into some situations, but I’m proud of the way I controlled the situations and got out of jams. I didn’t have my great stuff today, but I had enough stuff to compete and keep my team in the game, so I was happy.”
Manager Clint Hurdle added, “His arm was strong. Threw some good breaking balls. Command a little iffy right now, but he battled. To almost get through five and give up two runs, it was a good step forward for him. He got up in the higher 80s with his pitches from 69 last time. He needs to get in front of hitters a little bit more. He was behind a lot of hitters today. But I thought it was a good effort for him.”
McClellan, who made his first major league start, held the Pirates to two runs on six hits with one walk and seven strikeouts over six innings.
Overbay told Matthew Leach of MLB.com, “You have to give credit to the other pitcher. He did real well. He kept the ball down. When he got in trouble he made the big pitch.”
McDonald didn’t allow a hit until Lance Berkman doubled in the 4th inning. The leadoff hit proved to be costly, as he was driven by a single hit by Allen Craig.
The Cardinals tacked on another run in the 5th after McDonald allowed back-to-back singles to Ryan Theroit and Colby Rasmus. Albert Pujols hit a sac fly to center to tie the game at two.
Lefty Scott Olson allowed a walk to Theroit and a single to Colby Rasums before Pujols stepped to the plate. After being rather quiet against the Bucs during Monday’s game, Pujols picked up his second RBI of the game, knocking in Theriot, and putting the Cardinals on top, 3-2.
Manager Clint Hurdle told Colin Dunlap of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Late in the game, walks don’t help. They usually hurt. And the walk to Theriot hurt. … Chris [Resop] made a good pitch to Pujols.”
“Got a two-hopper, found a hole.”
With two outs in the 8th inning, Andrew McCutchen hit a single and Lyle Overbay drew a walk but the opportunity was wasted as Pedro Alvarez struck out (for the third time of the night) to end the threat.
The Pirates struck out a total of 11 times. With the loss, the they drop to 3-2 this season, the Cardinals improved to 2-3. If the Bucs can pick up a victory on Wednesday, it would be the first time since 2007 that the Pirates have won back-to-back series on the road.
Morton, McCutchen, lift Bucs to 4-3 victory over Cardinals
A solid pitching performance by Charlie Morton and a two-run home run by Andrew McCutchen lifted the Bucs 4-3 over the Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on Monday night.
Morton proved his spring stats were not a fluke as he limited the Cardinals to just one run on three hits over six innings (97 pitches) with five walks and two strikeouts.
Manager Clint Hurdle told Rob Biertempfel of the Tribune, “He did everything you could have hoped he would have done. He pitched an outstanding ball game.”
While his walk rate was rather high, what was most impressive was the fact that he was able to work his way out of several jams.
In the bottom of the 4th, after walking Lance Berkman and Allen Craig back-to-back, Morton got Yadier Molina to ground out to escape the inning without a run scoring.
Morton told Rob Biertempfel of the Tribune, “I’m pitching more to contact. I know that sounds weird; I walked five guys. But I want him to hit it. I wanted to throw a good sinker and have him hit it. He did, and we got out of it.”
Down 1-0 in the 6th, the Pirates scored four runs off of right-hander Kyle Lohse. Ronny Cedeno lead off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a sac bunt by Charlie Morton. Jose Tabata drew a seven pitch walk and Neil Walker hit a two-run double to take a 2-1 lead. With those two runs, Walker has a National League leading seven RBI.
In the next at-bat McCutchen, who was back in the lineup after missing Sunday with ‘upper body soreness’, hit a two-run home run to give the Pirates a 4-1 lead.
Evan Meek’s early season struggles continued as he allowed two singles, a walk, and two earned runs in the 8th.
Joel Hanrahan picked up a four out save, striking out two. Hanrahan’s three saves lead the majors.
The Pirates are now 3-1 on the season. The Cardinals fall to 1-3.
Morton, McCutchen, lift Bucs to 4-3 victory over Cardinals
A solid pitching performance by Charlie Morton and a two-run home run by Andrew McCutchen lifted the Bucs 4-3 over the Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on Monday night.
Morton proved his spring stats were not a fluke as he limited the Cardinals to just one run on three hits over six innings (97 pitches) with five walks and two strikeouts.
Manager Clint Hurdle told Rob Biertempfel of the Tribune, “He did everything you could have hoped he would have done. He pitched an outstanding ball game.”
While his walk rate was rather high, what was most impressive was the fact that he was able to work his way out of several jams.
In the bottom of the 4th, after walking Lance Berkman and Allen Craig back-to-back, Morton got Yadier Molina to ground out to escape the inning without a run scoring.
Morton told Rob Biertempfel of the Tribune, “I’m pitching more to contact. I know that sounds weird; I walked five guys. But I want him to hit it. I wanted to throw a good sinker and have him hit it. He did, and we got out of it.”
Down 1-0 in the 6th, the Pirates scored four runs off of right-hander Kyle Lohse. Ronny Cedeno lead off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a sac bunt by Charlie Morton. Jose Tabata drew a seven pitch walk and Neil Walker hit a two-run double to take a 2-1 lead. With those two runs, Walker has a National League leading seven RBI.
In the next at-bat McCutchen, who was back in the lineup after missing Sunday with ‘upper body soreness’, hit a two-run home run to give the Pirates a 4-1 lead.
Evan Meek’s early season struggles continued as he allowed two singles, a walk, and two earned runs in the 8th.
Joel Hanrahan picked up a four out save, striking out two. Hanrahan’s three saves lead the majors.
The Pirates are now 3-1 on the season. The Cardinals fall to 1-3.
Winter Meetings kick off, Pirates have a lot of work ahead
Monday kicks off the first day of the Winter Meetings held at the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Florida.
The Pirates have several gaps to fill for the 2011 season: a starting pitcher (or two), a first baseman/right fielder, shortstop and bullpen help for Evan Meek and Joel Hanrahan.
The young Bucs can be penciled in for next season: Jose Tabata, Neil Walker, Pedro Alvarez, Andrew McCutchen, and James McDonald.
“We feel it’s important to provide this young group of players weapons that will help them experience success in 2011,” President Frank Coonelly said. “More help is coming quickly through the much improved minor league system, but there are needs that we’re trying to address now to enable us to win in 2011. If we can address these needs without giving up prospects who we believe will be a part of our long-term success and without impeding our ability to lock up the young players who we are developing to long-term agreements, we need to do that.”
“We are targeting players on the market who will address these needs without jeopardizing our longer-term goals,” Coonelly said. “We have the financial resources available to address these needs, and we are looking forward to adding more talent to the improving young talent that has joined the roster over the past two years.”
The Pirates reportably were interested in Jorge De La Rosa (who re-signed with the Rockies) and first baseman Lance Berkman (who signed with the Cardinals). But there are many other players the Bucs could peruse: first baseman Derek Lee and Carlos Pena, right fielders Jeff Francouer, Jack Cust and Matt Diaz, shortstops J.J. Hardy and Jason Bartlett.
Steve Pearce and Lastings Milledge (who was non-tendered) could also be filled from within the organization to play first base/right field.
We are comfortable with Steve Pearce filling a role on the major league club,” General Manager Neal Huntington said. “We continue to be open to Lastings Milledge returning, too, but we are also exploring other potential fits.”
Starting pitching is the most important for the Pirates to fill. Scott Olsen is rumored to be in serious talks with the Pirates. Other options include: Brandon Webb (reports that the talks have gone cold with the cy-young award winner), Justin Duchscherer and Jeff Francis.
Thursday marks the Rule 5 draft and the Pirates have the first pick. Starter Aneury Rodriguez is the favorite, The right-hander went 6-5 with a 3.80 ERA and 94 strikeouts in 113.2 innings in Triple-A (Tampa Bay Ray’s organization).
The 40-man roster currently has four spots open.
Kristy Robinson
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