Heretic
Posts: 18,820
Jun 21, 2011 2:48pm
GoPens;808693 wrote:Pirates re-acquire Josh Rodriguez from the Indians for cash. They must really like this kid.
It might be less "really like this kid" and more "holy fucking shitballs, we're almost as much of an offensive black hole at SS as catcher!!!!".
GoPens
Posts: 2,339
Jun 21, 2011 3:54pm
Speaking of catcher. How much did it hurt during last nights game with the O's, to see Matt Weiters play. He should have been a Pirate if it weren't for that asshole Dave Littlefield and our cheap-ass owner Nutting. No....we had to draft Daniel Moskos....
Heretic
Posts: 18,820
Jun 22, 2011 12:48am
I do give Moskos credit for making the majors. When I really started paying attention to Pittsburgh's minor league system (coincidentally, this happened around when Littlefield was canned), he was looked at as THE horrible, cheap first-round pick. Doubt he'll ever be anything more than an interchangeable, generic middle reliever, but that's more than I expected out of him.
And that kind reply is sponsored by a four-game losing streak ending in impressive fashion in a 9-3 win. Take out McDonald's par-for-the-course fifth inning meltdown (after four scoreless, but unimpressive, innings) and they pitched pretty well. Resop bailed out McDonald and added a full inning after that, while Watson, Veras and Wood all pitched shutout innings. Offense was impressive. Hell, one of our minor league catchers had TWO HITS! That's a sign of the apocalypse in itself!
And that kind reply is sponsored by a four-game losing streak ending in impressive fashion in a 9-3 win. Take out McDonald's par-for-the-course fifth inning meltdown (after four scoreless, but unimpressive, innings) and they pitched pretty well. Resop bailed out McDonald and added a full inning after that, while Watson, Veras and Wood all pitched shutout innings. Offense was impressive. Hell, one of our minor league catchers had TWO HITS! That's a sign of the apocalypse in itself!
Non
Posts: 9,517
Jun 22, 2011 2:33am
Might be a one-game fluke.
They needed that one, but still a tough road with seven more interleague games, including three against the Red Sox and three against the Blue Jays.
They needed that one, but still a tough road with seven more interleague games, including three against the Red Sox and three against the Blue Jays.
Heretic
Posts: 18,820
Jun 22, 2011 11:53am
See that Jones is getting his second straight start at 1B today. Which is making Overbay one of the more disappointing $5M acquisitions in recent history.
That's one of the things that kills me. You see teams pick up veteran pieces all the time. They just seem to not work out for the Pirates all that often. Last year had Dotel, Carrasco and Lopez that all did well at relief (although the two middle relievers didn't really bring the goods trade-wise), while other guys like Taschner, Crosby and Church bombed. Correia's been good this year (although he's fallen off a bit in his recent starts), while Overbay has royally stunk, Diaz has been mediocre and Beimel's been an oft-injured non-factor.
Frustrating...
That's one of the things that kills me. You see teams pick up veteran pieces all the time. They just seem to not work out for the Pirates all that often. Last year had Dotel, Carrasco and Lopez that all did well at relief (although the two middle relievers didn't really bring the goods trade-wise), while other guys like Taschner, Crosby and Church bombed. Correia's been good this year (although he's fallen off a bit in his recent starts), while Overbay has royally stunk, Diaz has been mediocre and Beimel's been an oft-injured non-factor.
Frustrating...
Heretic
Posts: 18,820
Jun 22, 2011 1:14pm
Pirates took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Currently in the top of the third with the score the same, but Baltimore's first two batters both singled.
EDIT: Make that three straight singles to make it 2-1. And due to a fielding error by Diaz, it's runners on second and third. I'm sure glad he's on the roster instead of, say, Alex Presley, who is raking down at Indy and really has nothing to prove in the minors. And while typing that, it became 2-2 on a groundout by Adam Jones.
EDIT: Make that three straight singles to make it 2-1. And due to a fielding error by Diaz, it's runners on second and third. I'm sure glad he's on the roster instead of, say, Alex Presley, who is raking down at Indy and really has nothing to prove in the minors. And while typing that, it became 2-2 on a groundout by Adam Jones.
Heretic
Posts: 18,820
Jun 22, 2011 1:36pm
And Correia's lost it. Two more runs (at least...inning's not over yet) in the fourth to make it 4-2 Baltimore. He's given up eight hits in 3.2 innings, with six of those coming in the third and fourth.
Heretic
Posts: 18,820
Jun 22, 2011 1:49pm
Pirates get back within a 4-3 margin as a Walker groundout brought in McCutchen, who'd doubled and then taken third on a wild pitch.
If Correia can keep away from those two-run innings, they could get back into the game. And by "keep away from those two-run innings", I don't mean "give up a 3+ run inning".
Bullpen's going to get worn out at this pace. Karstens is the last guy who went 7 for them...and that game went 11 innings. They're getting a LOT of use right now.
If Correia can keep away from those two-run innings, they could get back into the game. And by "keep away from those two-run innings", I don't mean "give up a 3+ run inning".
Bullpen's going to get worn out at this pace. Karstens is the last guy who went 7 for them...and that game went 11 innings. They're getting a LOT of use right now.
Heretic
Posts: 18,820
Jun 22, 2011 1:55pm
And there we go. A somewhat routine inning with only one walk, but no hits. Much more like it.
Heretic
Posts: 18,820
Jun 22, 2011 2:07pm
Praise jebus for bad defense!
Two runs came in on a fielding error to give the Pirates a 5-4 lead. In an inning started with back-to-back singles by Wood and McKenry (which is a miracle of the highest level in itself).
Two runs came in on a fielding error to give the Pirates a 5-4 lead. In an inning started with back-to-back singles by Wood and McKenry (which is a miracle of the highest level in itself).
Heretic
Posts: 18,820
Jun 22, 2011 3:09pm
Lyle Overbay appearance of the day: pinch-hit strikeout. *clap clap clap*
Heretic
Posts: 18,820
Jun 22, 2011 3:15pm
Pirates win 5-4 to improve to 37-37. Back to .500!
Heretic
Posts: 18,820
Jun 22, 2011 3:28pm
And if the Yankees win against the Reds in the nightcap, Pittsburgh will be tied with Cincinnati for third place in the division. Reds will be 38-38, while Pirates will be 37-37.
riders1
Posts: 2,275
Jun 23, 2011 8:03am
Took the Megabus to Pittsburgh from Akron Wednesday, 2 of us only $4.50 roundtrip TOTAL cost. Can't park close for that little! Drop off and pickup at the Lawrence convention center, 2 blocks to the PNC park, $23.00 seats along rf line for $11.50 each what a deal. There were 15 to 20 people that road the Megabus down just for the game and some even road from Cleveland down. We are looking at 2 more weekday games to do this again. Totally enjoyable game in a great park! Except for the moron who had to sit in his exact ticketed seat in an empty row, I think he was an Indians fan. We wouldn't talk to him 
Heretic
Posts: 18,820
Jun 23, 2011 10:53am
Some good news from an article in the Post-Gazette.
When you consider that the mantra of small market teams is that as revenue increases, payroll will follow, reading something like this, which shows how the team being competitive is paying off, does make me a bit on the optimistic side. They currently are 23nd in the league, averaging 21,135 a home game. Which is better than two other playoff contenders (only 3 games back means they are currently a playoff contender) in Cleveland (#26) and Tampa Bay (#29).Pirates television ratings on Root Sports are up 34 percent from last season and are at their highest levels since June 2005.
Sports apparel stores are reporting ridiculously large increases in Pirates-related sales from the same point last season. That includes a 46 percent spike at Hometowne Sports — where the $19.99 Walker T-shirt is most popular — and a 51 percent increase at The Pittsburgh Fan, across from PNC Park. Anne Ronan, spokesperson for The Finish Line stores, was not permitted to disclose figures but said, "(Pirates) apparel is selling at a rapid clip even in areas not Pittsburgh proper, like Johnstown."
Attendance is up 12 percent, with three sellouts expected this weekend against the Boston Red Sox. "Weekends like this," Walker said, "are going to be really important for growing the fan base."
Merchandise sales at PNC Park are up 32 percent, page views on the Pirates website 41 percent.
Heretic
Posts: 18,820
Jun 23, 2011 10:53am
Some good news from an article in the Post-Gazette.
When you consider that the mantra of small market teams is that as revenue increases, payroll will follow, reading something like this, which shows how the team being competitive is paying off, does make me a bit on the optimistic side. They currently are 23nd in the league, averaging 21,135 a home game. Which is better than two other playoff contenders (only 3 games back means they are currently a playoff contender) in Cleveland (#26) and Tampa Bay (#29).Pirates television ratings on Root Sports are up 34 percent from last season and are at their highest levels since June 2005.
Sports apparel stores are reporting ridiculously large increases in Pirates-related sales from the same point last season. That includes a 46 percent spike at Hometowne Sports — where the $19.99 Walker T-shirt is most popular — and a 51 percent increase at The Pittsburgh Fan, across from PNC Park. Anne Ronan, spokesperson for The Finish Line stores, was not permitted to disclose figures but said, "(Pirates) apparel is selling at a rapid clip even in areas not Pittsburgh proper, like Johnstown."
Attendance is up 12 percent, with three sellouts expected this weekend against the Boston Red Sox. "Weekends like this," Walker said, "are going to be really important for growing the fan base."
Merchandise sales at PNC Park are up 32 percent, page views on the Pirates website 41 percent.
GoPens
Posts: 2,339
Jun 23, 2011 11:06am
This weekend is a big test for the team with the Red Sox in town. I hate to say it but you almost got to hope to win at least 1 out of the 3 games. Now that they're at .500 again, you hate to lose any momentum. I'm going to Friday and Saturday's games and am pretty excited about it. I guess they are all sell out or near sell-outs.
GoPens
Posts: 2,339
Jun 23, 2011 1:15pm
Pirates bring up shortstop Chase d'Arnaud and send down Josh Harrison. I thought Harrison was doing fairly well and should keep him over Pedro Ciriaco. Kinda surprised.
Heretic
Posts: 18,820
Jun 23, 2011 1:28pm
GoPens;811211 wrote:Pirates bring up shortstop Chase d'Arnaud and send down Josh Harrison. I thought Harrison was doing fairly well. Kinda surprised.
Why the hell would they send down Harrison when fucking Pedro "can't hit" Ciriaco is on the roster?!? The fact he's been around for a month or so and done ABSOLUTELY NOTHING makes me wonder if he has the same mystical hold over Hurdle than Reds fans were wondering if Corey Patterson had over Dusty a couple years back.
GoPens
Posts: 2,339
Jun 23, 2011 1:51pm
Only reason I can think of is to have Harrison play every day and let Ciriaco waste on the bench. Talk on the Post-Gazette is that Ciriaco might get sent down to bring up Alex Presley as a DH in the Blue Jays series next week. I hope so. Presley has definitely deserved a call-up.
GoPens
Posts: 2,339
Jun 25, 2011 12:55am
Just got back from the game. What a great atmosphere. Bucs beat the Red Sox 3-1. Sold out PNC Park with the 3rd largest crowd in it's history. Lots of Sox fans there so it was fun shutting them up toward the end. When Youkalis came up to bat, they would yell YOOOOK. After he fucked up in the field a couple of times the Pirate fans were YOOOOK-ing it right back at them. It was pretty fun. Back to a game over .500 and heading back tomorrow night.
killer_ewok
Posts: 11,379
Jun 25, 2011 1:16am
That was great. I hate Boston. Keep it going, Buccos!
Heretic
Posts: 18,820
Jun 25, 2011 10:08pm
Two straight over Boston! 6-4 this time, which ensures they'll stay in third place. Now let's see if McDonald can give a decent start tomorrow.
Non
Posts: 9,517
Jun 25, 2011 10:51pm
Awesome game tonight.
Defense has been fantastic this series and finally some power courtesy of Overbay and GI Jones.
Defense has been fantastic this series and finally some power courtesy of Overbay and GI Jones.
Non
Posts: 9,517
Jun 25, 2011 10:52pm
New attendance record set tonight.
I have to admit I was a little puzzled at the timing of the move, sending Harrison down and bringing up d'Arnaud, but d'Arnaud looks like a very talented player. I know it's only been two games but he's brought some added excitement, offensively and defensively.
I have to admit I was a little puzzled at the timing of the move, sending Harrison down and bringing up d'Arnaud, but d'Arnaud looks like a very talented player. I know it's only been two games but he's brought some added excitement, offensively and defensively.