“)) {
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
$venue=substr($rowvalue, $starter+12, $amount-12);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_first_name=substr($rowvalue, $starter+9, $amount-9);
If($team==0)$away_first_name=substr($rowvalue, $starter+9, $amount-9);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_last_name=substr($rowvalue, $starter+10, $amount-10);
If($team==0)$away_last_name=substr($rowvalue, $starter+10, $amount-10);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_throwing_hand=substr($rowvalue, $starter+14, $amount-14);
If($team==0)$away_throwing_hand=substr($rowvalue, $starter+14, $amount-14);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_wins=substr($rowvalue, $starter+6, $amount-6);
If($team==0)$away_wins=substr($rowvalue, $starter+6, $amount-6);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_losses=substr($rowvalue, $starter+8, $amount-8);
If($team==0)$away_losses=substr($rowvalue, $starter+8, $amount-8);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_era=substr($rowvalue, $starter+5, $amount-5);
If($team==0)$away_era=substr($rowvalue, $starter+5, $amount-5);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_so=substr($rowvalue, $starter+4, $amount-4);
If($team==0)$away_so=substr($rowvalue, $starter+4, $amount-4);
$team–;
}

}
echo $away_first_name . ” ” . $away_last_name . ” (” . $away_throwing_hand . “) (” . $away_wins . “-” . $away_losses . “, ” . $away_era . ” ERA, ” . $away_so . ” K) @ ” . $home_first_name . ” ” . $home_last_name . ” (” . $home_throwing_hand . “) (” . $home_wins . “-” . $home_losses . “, ” . $home_era . ” ERA, ” . $home_so . ” K)

“.$gametime.” EST @ “. $venue;
?>

After getting a series win against the Tigers, interleague play continues, and the Pirates travel to Minnesota for a 3 game set.

Post Game Update
Tonight’s game in the Metrodome didn’t go so well. Paul Maholm was all over the place. He allowed 14 hits and 8 runs in 5 innings.

Pirate hitters managed 11 hits, but they could only get 2 runs across.

buccofans.com pointed out an interesting statistic regarding Paul Maholm and whoever catches him.

ERA with Jaramillo – 8.39
ERA with Diaz – 0.67
ERA with Doumit – 0.87

Pirate fielders struggled all night, losing balls in the white roof of the Metrodome.

This could be a long 3 game series.

highfives

Live Updates: “, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
$good_stuff=substr($rowvalue, $starter+13, $amount-14);
if($starter>$teamchange)$home=1;
$inningarray[$counter]=$inning;
$homearray[$counter]=$home;
$playarray[$counter]=$good_stuff;
$starterarray[$counter]=$starter;
$counter++;
$starter=$starter+1;
}
}

array_multisort($inningarray, $homearray, $starterarray, $playarray);

$loopcount=0;
$currentinning=0;
$currenthalf=1;
while($loopcount$currentinning){
echo(“
Inning $inningarray[$loopcount]
“);
$currentinning++;
}
if($homearray[$loopcount]!=$currenthalf){
if($homearray[$loopcount]==0){echo(“
Away
“);$currenthalf=0;}
if($homearray[$loopcount]==1){echo(“
Home
“);$currenthalf=1;}
}
echo($playarray[$loopcount].”
“);
$loopcount++;
}

?>

“)) {
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
$venue=substr($rowvalue, $starter+12, $amount-12);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_first_name=substr($rowvalue, $starter+9, $amount-9);
If($team==0)$away_first_name=substr($rowvalue, $starter+9, $amount-9);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_last_name=substr($rowvalue, $starter+10, $amount-10);
If($team==0)$away_last_name=substr($rowvalue, $starter+10, $amount-10);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_throwing_hand=substr($rowvalue, $starter+14, $amount-14);
If($team==0)$away_throwing_hand=substr($rowvalue, $starter+14, $amount-14);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_wins=substr($rowvalue, $starter+6, $amount-6);
If($team==0)$away_wins=substr($rowvalue, $starter+6, $amount-6);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_losses=substr($rowvalue, $starter+8, $amount-8);
If($team==0)$away_losses=substr($rowvalue, $starter+8, $amount-8);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_era=substr($rowvalue, $starter+5, $amount-5);
If($team==0)$away_era=substr($rowvalue, $starter+5, $amount-5);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_so=substr($rowvalue, $starter+4, $amount-4);
If($team==0)$away_so=substr($rowvalue, $starter+4, $amount-4);
$team–;
}

}
echo $away_first_name . ” ” . $away_last_name . ” (” . $away_throwing_hand . “) (” . $away_wins . “-” . $away_losses . “, ” . $away_era . ” ERA, ” . $away_so . ” K) @ ” . $home_first_name . ” ” . $home_last_name . ” (” . $home_throwing_hand . “) (” . $home_wins . “-” . $home_losses . “, ” . $home_era . ” ERA, ” . $home_so . ” K)

“.$gametime.” EST @ “. $venue;
?>

The Pirates stay in Chicago and move across town for 3 games against the Cubbies.

Happy Memorial Day!

Post Game Update
The Post Gazette reported today that the Pirates haven’t shown interest in extending the contracts of Adam LaRoche, John Grabow, or Jack Wilson past this season.

Ryan Doumit is progressing. He hopes to be back on the field sometime in June.

Matt Capps was hurt by a line drive to the elbow in the 9th inning. Hopefully he’s OK.

Freddy Sanchez went 6/6 tonight.

The Pirates have 24 hits in the last 2 games.

cubs

Live Updates: “, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
$good_stuff=substr($rowvalue, $starter+13, $amount-14);
if($starter>$teamchange)$home=1;
$inningarray[$counter]=$inning;
$homearray[$counter]=$home;
$playarray[$counter]=$good_stuff;
$starterarray[$counter]=$starter;
$counter++;
$starter=$starter+1;
}
}

array_multisort($inningarray, $homearray, $starterarray, $playarray);

$loopcount=0;
$currentinning=0;
$currenthalf=1;
while($loopcount$currentinning){
echo(“
Inning $inningarray[$loopcount]
“);
$currentinning++;
}
if($homearray[$loopcount]!=$currenthalf){
if($homearray[$loopcount]==0){echo(“
Away
“);$currenthalf=0;}
if($homearray[$loopcount]==1){echo(“
Home
“);$currenthalf=1;}
}
echo($playarray[$loopcount].”
“);
$loopcount++;
}

?>

I had a nice visit to Pittsburgh this weekend. I went to the game on Saturday night, which turned out to be the best game of the weekend (and the only game where a Pirate crossed home plate). It was also marathon weekend in Pittsburgh, so I enjoyed watching some friends run all over the city on Sunday.

Game 22 – Zach Duke pitched well (7 innings, 1 ER), but he got absolutely no help from the hitters. Bronson Arroyo shut down and shut out the Pirates, allowing 4 hits in 8 innings. This loss marked the 2nd game in a row where the Bucs were shutout, and it put the Pirates back to .500.

Game 23 – The Pirates got started early, putting 4 singles, a walk, and a HBP together to score 4 runs in the top of the 1st. Later, the Bucs got some help from a Brandon Phillips error that allowed 2 runs to score. In the top of the 9th, with an 8-4 lead, Matt Capps nearly imploded, but he survived with an 8-6 finish. Once again, the Pirates were a game above .500.

Game 24 – The thrill of victory was short-lived, as Johnny Cueto and Jeff Karstens took to the mound at 1:35 on Sunday afternoon. Karstens looked bad, as he gave up 5 runs in 5 innings. Again, the Bucs never got the bats moving, and they were shutout for the 3rd time in 4 games. No Pirate batter reached 2nd base in this game. Back to .500, and the Brewers are coming to PNC for a 2-game series.

Quick Thoughts
– We really need Ryan Doumit and Jack Wilson back in this lineup. Jen Langosch reported that Jack Wilson took some batting practice swings on Sunday. Ryan Doumit will rejoin the team on Friday.
– Who’s hot? – Delwyn Young looks good in the PH role. He’s 3-7 with 2 doubles. Other than giving up the 3 run homer to Lance Berkman on 4/16, Sean Burnett has pitched clean in relief.
– Who’s not? – Brian Bixler 3-15 and 10K, Brandon Moss 13-66 and OBP .243

dsc00239

Taking all 3 against the Marlins would certainly make a statement. We’ll find out soon enough.

Ricky Nolasco @ Paul Maholm.
First pitch is at 12:35.

cal-tt-300-frenchstreetbroom

Update: Yes we can!

Paul Maholm wasn’t as magical as he was in his first 3 starts, but it was good enough. 6 IP, 8H, 4R, 4K

Adam LaRoche was on fire, going 4-5 with an RBI. Even with Doumit out of the lineup, things seem to be going the Pirates’ way.

Now for a day off before opening a 3-game series against in San Diego. Keep it up, Buccos!

Ryan Doumit is going to be out for awhile. This is devastating.

The Florida Marlins are now 11-2. Let’s see if we can make them 11-3.

Anibal Sanchez @ Jeff Karstens – 7:05 PM

…oh yeah… Go Pens!

fishing-trip-photo

Post Game Update:
Wow… I’d have had trouble believing you if you told me that we’d win 2 against the Marlins with Ohlendorf and Karstens on the mound.
– The Marlins couldn’t hit Karstens tonight, as he only gave up 3H, 1R in 6 IP.
– This will be the Pirates’ 2nd consecutive series win. Let’s keep it rolling!
– Jason Jaramillo replaced the injured Ryan Doumit. He contributed with an RBI double.
– Remember Ronny Paulino? He played for the away team tonight.

Why not? Let’s go for the sweep tomorrow! Ricky Nolasco @ Paul Maholm. 12:35 PM

…oh yeah… congrats Pens! 3-1 win puts them up 3-1 on the Flyers. Close ’em out.

Ryan Doumit sat out Monday’s game against the Florida Marlins after injuring his wrist during Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Braves.

A CT scan revealed a fractured scaphoid bone. He’ll be out 8-10 weeks.

It looks like Jason Jaramillo will take over catching duties. Robinzon Diaz will be called up from AAA.

126-doumit

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.

karstens

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.

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.

duke_police_hat

I only got to see about an inning of today’s game on TV, as I opted to watch Purdue @ Penn State. There was no shortage of action, with the Nittany Lions winning 11-9 (31 total hits in the game).

Today was a nice win for the Pirates. Paul Maholm looked sharp for his second consecutive start. He allowed 3 hits and 1 run in 7 innings. He struck out 3, and after 2 starts, his season ERA is 1.32.

From the plate, Nyjer Morgan continued his hot start by going 3-4 with 2 runs and an RBI. Nate McLouth’s bat is coming alive, going 2-3 with 2 runs and 3 RBIs. With a 5-1 lead in the 9th inning, Ryan Doumit added a grand slam and Adam LaRoche followed up with a homer of his own.

We’re still waiting for Andy LaRoche to get started. Today was another tough game, going 0-5. He’s still hitless in 2009.

With today’s win, the Pirates can’t finish this opening road trip any worse than .500.

Snell @ Aaron Harang is at 1:10 tomorrow. I’ll be at an Easter lunch with my family, so I probably won’t see or hear much from this game.

Go Bucs! Happy Easter!

8:15 – After a long day at work and a trip to the grocery store, I’ve put meatloaf in the oven, and I’m ready to listen to the Buccos! What the heck… I’ll try a live game log. I’m listening on XM Radio tonight, so I’ve got the Cardinals’ feed. Bring on John Rooney.

8:16 – Play ball! Duke @ Wellemeyer. Njyer Morgan to the plate. The lineup shows that Ramon Vazquez will be starting third base in place of Andy LaRoche. LaRoche had a nice spring, but he’s struggled in the opening two games, going 0 for 5 with 3 defensive errors.

8:25 – The Pirates tried to put a first inning rally together. They caught a bad break when Ryan Doumit hit a ground-rule double to deep center. If the ball hadn’t left the field of play, Freddy Sanchez would have easily scored from first. After 1/2 inning, Pirates 0 – Cardinals 0.

8:30 – I’m really hoping that Zach Duke turns a corner this season. He starts with a walk.

8:31 – Kahlil Greene grounded out, 5-4-3. Operation: Shut Down Pujols begins.

8:32 – Struck him out! Went down looking.

8:39 – The good guys got on the board first! Moss singled. Vazquez walked. Wilson singled to score Moss! Let’s keep the rally going!

8:41 – After Zach Duke struck out, Nyjer Morgan continues hit hot streak by hitting at RBI single!

8:43 – Freddy Sanchez hit a bloop single, and Jack Wilson read the hit perfectly to leave 2nd on contact a score a run! The Bucs have 3 on the scoreboard, and the Cards sent a pitching coach to the mound!

8:47 – After a Nate McLouth Walk, Ryan Doumit hit an RBI single to right. Unfortunately, he was picked off first base (9-4-3). Tough way to spoil a second inning rally. Adam LaRoche fouled out to third to end the top half of the 2nd inning. 4-0 Pirates. Let’s go Zach!

8:57 – The Cards scored in the bottom of the 2nd, but it could’ve been much worse. Ryan Ludwick got on thanks to a Doumit catcher’s interference. A stolen base and a Rick Ankiel single drove in Ludwick. The key play was a David Freese flyout to Nyjer Morgan. Thanks to a wise defensive shift, the play was an easy out. With a standard defensive alignment, the play would’ve resulted in a hit in the gap and quite possibly an extended Cards rally. 4-1 Bucs.

9:04 – The Pirates got the run back in the top of the 3rd. Moss doubled. Vazquez grounded out, sending Moss to 3rd. A Wilson single drove him in. That’s Wilson’s 2nd RBI of the night. 5-1 Bucs.

9:11 – 3 up. 3 down. One thing that makes this Pirate lead even better is the fact that my meatloaf is ready. Yum.

9:28 – Not much news from the fourth. Pujols made an A+ defensive play to retire Adam LaRoche. Duke retired Pujols again in the bottom half of the inning. Still 5-1.

9:37 – Through 5 innings, Sanchez, Moss, and Wilson are all 3-3. Doumit is 2-3. Not bad.

9:40 – Duke struck out Ankiel, but a Doumit passed ball allowed Ankiel to reach first base. I was worried about this, since we went K-2-3 three times yesterday.

9:46 – The Cardinals scored one in the bottom of the fifth. Great play by Freddy Sanchez to pick up a ball deflected off Adam LaRoche’s glove and throw to the pitcher to get Rasmus out at first. 5-2 Bucs.

9:53 – Put 2 more on the board! Freddy Sanchez “doubled” (sounded more like a single and an error) and Nate McLouth got in first hit of 2009 in a homer to right field. Mmmm… 7-2 Pirates!

10:05 – The Pirates gave up a run in the 6th, but Duke is still pitching strong. 7-3

10:30 – Grabow replaced Duke, and we’re through 7. Still 7-3.

10:41 – Albert Pujols records his 700th career walk. Congratulations?

10:57 – Jack Wilson singled in the 9th to end his night at 4-5. 3 outs away from the W!

11:07 – Nothing’s easy. Tyler Yakes looked bad. Thankfully JoeThurston made a boneheaded baserunning mistake.

11:08 – Enter Mad Capper.

11:11 – Capps gets hit (very) hard, but McLouth robs a homer at the wall! 2 down.

11:13 – Raise the Jolly Roger! No doubt about it. 7-4 Pirates. We’re 2-1!

… until tomorrow.

newbuschstadium
I was in St. Louis just a few weeks ago. It’s a nice town, and Busch Stadium is beautiful. I wouldn’t mind being out there tonight.