Pitch By Pitch

Brian Moehler (RHP) (1-3, 8.31 ERA, 20 K) @ Ross Ohlendorf (RHP) (5-4, 4.20 ERA, 27 K)

7:05 P.M. EST @ PNC Park

The Astros come to Pittsburgh for a 3 game series. We need to take 2 out of 3, and a sweep would be great.

Post Game Update:
Quite simply, there were little to no Bucco bats out there tonight. The Pirates managed just 1 meaningless run in the bottom of the 9th inning. Brian Moehler pitched a complete game and held the Pirates to 7 hits and 2 walks.

Second baseman Edwin Maysonet went 4-4 with 4 RBI for the Astros.

Donald Veal made a pitching appearance for the Pirates. He pitched 2 innings and gave up 3 hits and a run.

Matt Wieters made his highly anticipated debut for the Baltimore Orioles. He went 0-4.

Live Updates:

Inning 1

Away
Michael Bourn grounds out, shortstop Jack Wilson to first baseman Adam LaRoche.
Miguel Tejada walks.
Lance Berkman strikes out swinging.
With Carlos Lee batting, wild pitch by Ross Ohlendorf, Miguel Tejada to 2nd.
Carlos Lee walks.
Hunter Pence singles on a ground ball to shortstop Jack Wilson. Miguel Tejada to 3rd. Carlos Lee to 2nd.
Ivan Rodriguez strikes out swinging.

Home
Nyjer Morgan grounds out, second baseman Edwin Maysonet to first baseman Lance Berkman.
Freddy Sanchez grounds out, second baseman Edwin Maysonet to first baseman Lance Berkman.
Nate McLouth strikes out swinging.

Inning 2

Away
Jeff Keppinger flies out to left fielder Nyjer Morgan.
Edwin Maysonet doubles (1) on a ground ball to left fielder Nyjer Morgan, deflected by shortstop Jack Wilson.
Brian Moehler called out on strikes.
Michael Bourn singles on a line drive to center fielder Nate McLouth. Edwin Maysonet scores. Michael Bourn out at 2nd on the throw, center fielder Nate McLouth to third baseman Andy LaRoche to second baseman Freddy Sanchez to first baseman Adam LaRoche to shortstop Jack Wilson.

Home
Adam LaRoche singles on a fly ball to right fielder Hunter Pence.
Brandon Moss flies out to center fielder Michael Bourn.
Andy LaRoche flies out to center fielder Michael Bourn.
Jason Jaramillo flies out to left fielder Carlos Lee.

Inning 3

Away
Miguel Tejada singles on a ground ball to left fielder Nyjer Morgan.
Lance Berkman flies into double play, center fielder Nate McLouth to second baseman Freddy Sanchez. Miguel Tejada out at 2nd on the throw.
Carlos Lee lines out to second baseman Freddy Sanchez.

Home
Jack Wilson pops out to catcher Ivan Rodriguez in foul territory.
Ross Ohlendorf called out on strikes.
Nyjer Morgan flies out to left fielder Carlos Lee.

Inning 4

Away
Hunter Pence flies out to left fielder Nyjer Morgan.
Ivan Rodriguez singles on a line drive to right fielder Brandon Moss.
Jeff Keppinger strikes out swinging.
Edwin Maysonet homers (1) on a fly ball to left field. Ivan Rodriguez scores.
Brian Moehler strikes out swinging.

Home
Freddy Sanchez singles on a line drive to center fielder Michael Bourn.
Nate McLouth called out on strikes.
Adam LaRoche flies out to center fielder Michael Bourn.
With Brandon Moss batting, wild pitch by Brian Moehler, Freddy Sanchez to 2nd.
Brandon Moss strikes out swinging.

Inning 5

Away
Michael Bourn grounds out, third baseman Andy LaRoche to first baseman Adam LaRoche.
Miguel Tejada grounds out, third baseman Andy LaRoche to first baseman Adam LaRoche.
Lance Berkman singles on a ground ball to center fielder Nate McLouth.
Carlos Lee grounds out, second baseman Freddy Sanchez to first baseman Adam LaRoche.

Home
Andy LaRoche singles on a ground ball to shortstop Miguel Tejada.
Jason Jaramillo grounds into double play, shortstop Miguel Tejada to second baseman Edwin Maysonet to first baseman Lance Berkman. Andy LaRoche out at 2nd.
Jack Wilson grounds out, shortstop Miguel Tejada to first baseman Lance Berkman.

Inning 6

Away
Hunter Pence walks.
Ivan Rodriguez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Nate McLouth. Hunter Pence to 2nd.
Pitcher Change: Jesse Chavez replaces Ross Ohlendorf, batting 9th.
Jeff Keppinger singles on a ground ball to left fielder Nyjer Morgan. Hunter Pence out at home, left fielder Nyjer Morgan to third baseman Andy LaRoche to shortstop Jack Wilson. Ivan Rodriguez to 2nd.
Edwin Maysonet doubles (2) on a fly ball to left fielder Nyjer Morgan. Ivan Rodriguez scores. Jeff Keppinger scores.
Brian Moehler grounds out, shortstop Jack Wilson to first baseman Adam LaRoche.
Michael Bourn singles on a ground ball to first baseman Adam LaRoche. Edwin Maysonet out at home, pitcher Jesse Chavez to catcher Jason Jaramillo.

Home
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Ramon Vazquez replaces Jesse Chavez.
Ramon Vazquez singles on a fly ball to center fielder Michael Bourn.
Nyjer Morgan grounds into a force out, first baseman Lance Berkman to shortstop Miguel Tejada. Ramon Vazquez out at 2nd. Nyjer Morgan to 1st.
Freddy Sanchez grounds out, shortstop Miguel Tejada to first baseman Lance Berkman. Nyjer Morgan to 2nd.
Nate McLouth flies out to center fielder Michael Bourn.

Inning 7

Away
Pitcher Change: Donnie Veal replaces Jesse Chavez, batting 9th.
Miguel Tejada flies out to right fielder Brandon Moss.
Lance Berkman called out on strikes.
Carlos Lee singles on a ground ball to left fielder Nyjer Morgan, deflected by third baseman Andy LaRoche.
Hunter Pence walks. Carlos Lee to 2nd.
Ivan Rodriguez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Nate McLouth. Carlos Lee scores. Hunter Pence to 2nd.
Jeff Keppinger pops out to second baseman Freddy Sanchez.

Home
Adam LaRoche flies out to center fielder Michael Bourn.
Brandon Moss singles on a ground ball to right fielder Hunter Pence.
Andy LaRoche grounds into a force out, third baseman Jeff Keppinger to second baseman Edwin Maysonet. Brandon Moss out at 2nd. Andy LaRoche to 1st.
Jason Jaramillo grounds out to first baseman Lance Berkman.

Inning 8

Away
Edwin Maysonet singles on a line drive to center fielder Nate McLouth.
Brian Moehler called out on strikes.
Michael Bourn grounds into a force out, third baseman Andy LaRoche to second baseman Freddy Sanchez. Edwin Maysonet out at 2nd. Michael Bourn to 1st.
Miguel Tejada grounds out, third baseman Andy LaRoche to first baseman Adam LaRoche.

Home
Jack Wilson grounds out, third baseman Jeff Keppinger to first baseman Lance Berkman.
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Eric Hinske replaces Donnie Veal.
Eric Hinske flies out to center fielder Michael Bourn.
Nyjer Morgan walks.
Freddy Sanchez hits a ground-rule double (18) on a fly ball down the right-field line. Nyjer Morgan to 3rd.
Nate McLouth flies out to left fielder Carlos Lee.

Inning 9

Away
Pitcher Change: Evan Meek replaces Donnie Veal, batting 9th.
Lance Berkman doubles (7) on a fly ball to center fielder Nate McLouth.
Carlos Lee grounds out, second baseman Freddy Sanchez to first baseman Adam LaRoche. Lance Berkman to 3rd.
Hunter Pence grounds out to first baseman Adam LaRoche.
Ivan Rodriguez grounds out, shortstop Jack Wilson to first baseman Adam LaRoche.

Home
Adam LaRoche walks.
Brandon Moss flies out to left fielder Carlos Lee.
Andy LaRoche hits a ground-rule double (12) on a fly ball to left-center field. Adam LaRoche to 3rd.
Jason Jaramillo grounds out, second baseman Edwin Maysonet to first baseman Lance Berkman. Adam LaRoche scores. Andy LaRoche to 3rd.
Jack Wilson flies out to right fielder Hunter Pence.

After losing a disappointing series at home to the Houston Astros, the Atlanta Braves come to town for a weekend series.

The Pirates are going to need more strong starts from Maholm, Snell, and Duke to get back up and over .500.

Friday – Jair Jurrjens @ Paul Maholm – 7:05
Saturday – Jo Jo Reyes @ Ian Snell – 12:35
Sunday – Javier Vazquez @ Zach Duke – 1:35

I won’t see much of these games because I’m traveling to Boston tonight to see my girlfriend and sister run in the marathon on Monday. We’ve got tickets to Orioles @ Red Sox on Sunday afternoon!

Have a good weekend! Go Bucs!

There shouldn’t be a rain-out today, so we’re finally going to see Jeff Karstens take the mound.

Andy LaRoche is starting again at 3rd. Ryan Doumit will get a rest today, and Jason Jaramillo will take on catching duties.

It’d be really nice to win this series against the Astros.

Russ Ortiz @ Jeff Karstens – 12:35 P.M.

Update: Disappointing game. The Pirates got 10 hits, but they could only convert them into 3 runs. Both teams scored three runs early. Lance Berkman hit a 3 run homer off of Sean Burnett.

- Andy LaRoche finally got his hit.
- Not a great outing for Karstens, giving up 3 runs, 4 hits, and 5 walks in 4 IP.
- We’re officially below .500 for the first time this season.

I must admit that baseball will not be my top priority tonight. The Philadelphia Flyers travel to the Burgh for Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.

Still, I’ll keep an eye on the game, and here are some quick notes for tonight:
- We got Delwyn Young for two players to be named later. Apparently, he’ll be in Pittsburgh later this week. Time will tell where he fits in, and who gets bumped to make room for him.
- Andy LaRoche is back in the starting lineup tonight. He WILL get a hit.
- It’s Jackie Robinson day. Pay tribute to #42.

10:23 Update – Well, not much to say about the baseball game (other than everybody wore #42… which made the game very confusing). The Pens, however, got off to a great start, defeating the Flyers 4-1.

The Astros got four runs in a hurry. Mike Hampton threw 6 shutout innings, and that was about enough. Adam LaRoche hit a solo shot in the 9th. Andy LaRoche didn’t get his hit. He was replaced in the top of the 6th.

The most ironic event of the evening for me was that I decided to post my Retrosheet Scorecard this evening, despite my knowledge that at least one game situation doesn’t work well (a pinch hitter is at bat when the third out of an inning is a caught stealing. Sure enough, it happened tonight.

Today’s home opener proved to be a great day at PNC Park. There were plenty of pregame festivities as Nate McLouth was presented with his Gold Glove Award and Steve Blass was recognized for being a part of the Pirates for 50 seasons, and the Pirates wore special caps to honor and remember the Pittsburgh police officers who were killed last week.

For his second straight start this season, Zach Duke was effective on the mound. Today, he threw a complete game shutout and the Pirates beat the Houston Astros 7-0. The Astros appear to be a very bad team. They’re 1-6, and they’ve scored just 16 runs. Even the 0-7 Nationals have put 34 on the scoreboard. This would be a nice time to record a three game sweep.

Every Pirate in the batting order recorded a hit today. Ramon Vazquez started at 3rd base again, in place of Andy LaRoche. I think this series against the Astros would be an appropriate time to get LaRoche back into the lineup and hopefully get into a solid rhythm. Freddy Sanchez had a great game today, going 3-5 with three doubles. Adam LaRoche and Ryan Doumit added homers.

The Bucs get the day off tomorrow before a 7:05 P.M. game on Wednesday. Mike Hampton @ Ross Ohlendorf.