June 2, 2009

Game 52 – Mets @ Pirates

admin Pirate Games
“)) {
$starter=strpos($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;
?>

Post Game Update

Tonight’s game was a nice pitchers’ duel, with Johan Santana facing Zach Duke. Jason Jaramillo hit his first career home run to get the Pirates on the board. Later, Freddy Sanchez singled, followed by back-to-back doubles by Nate McLouth and Andy LaRoche to give the Pirates the lead.

John Grabow and Matt Capps did a nice job of keeping Mets off the bases in the 8th and 9th innings.

Of interest, Nyjer Morgan was thrown out of the game for arguing a call at first base and throwing his batting helmet. Replay would later show that Morgan was indeed safe at first.

2 in a row against the Mets! Go Bucs!

jaramillo

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++;
}

?>

, , , , , , , , ,
Add your comment
May 22, 2009

Game 42 – Pirates @ White Sox

admin Pirate Games
“)) {
$starter=strpos($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;
?>

Interleague play begins with tonight’s game against the Chicago White Sox.

Post Game Update
Yep… we suck at interleague play. At 63-101, the Pirates have the worst interleague record in Major League Baseball. The record only got worse tonight because the Pirates couldn’t figure out Gavin Floyd and only got 2 hits.

Zach Duke recorded an 8 inning complete game in the loss. Duke didn’t pitch bad, but he got no help. The White Sox first run came following a stolen base by Alexi Ramirez where replay later showed that Ramirez was out. Duke also surrendered a solo HR to Ramirez in the 8th.

This game was done in a speedy 1:51, and this game had just four plate appearances above the minimum.

whitesox

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++;
}

?>

, , ,
Add your comment
May 12, 2009

Game 32 – Back Home Again… Can’t Lose Forever, Right?

admin Pirate Games

Todd Wellemeyer (3-2, 4.75) @ Zach Duke (3-3, 2.79), 7:05 P.M., PNC Park

I’ll be at Camden Yards, watching the O’s vs. the Rays.

Post Game Update:
I could hardly believe my eyes as the out-of-town scoreboard in Camden Yards kept updating. Thanks to 8 strong innings from Zach Duke, the Pirates beat the Cards 7-1. Through 7 games, Duke’s ERA is 2.52. Good stuff!

The Pirates got home runs from Adam LaRoche and Brandon Moss, two players who have been struggling as of recent. Hopefully, they’re starting to turn the corner.

Jack Wilson is back! Even though he went 0-4 tonight, he was part of a nice double play, and it feels really good to have him back on the field.

Currently, the biggest cause for concern is Matt Capps. He came in for the 9th inning and loaded the bases with no outs. He escaped the inning and didn’t allow any runs, but now his last 4 performances have been shaky.

April 24 – Flyout, Walk, Popout, Walk, Single – 1 run
May 2 – Single, Single, Single, Single, Flyout, K, Single, K – 2 runs
May 4 – Single, Single, Walk, SacFly, HR, K, Flyout – 4 runs
May 12 – Single, Walk, Walk, K, K, Flyout – 0 runs

Andy LaRoche scores against the Cardinals

Andy LaRoche scores against the Cardinals

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++;
}

?>

, , , , , , ,
Add your comment
May 6, 2009

Game 27 – Taking on the Division Leaders

admin Pirate Games

After a disappointing home-stand against the Reds and Brewers, the Pirates travel to St. Louis to take on the division leading Cardinals. At 17-10, the Cardinals have one of the best records in baseball, but the Pirates managed a 2-2 split with them in their season-opening series.

Tonight, we’ll see: Zach Duke (3-2, 2.21) @ Mitchell Boggs (1-0, 3.29)

Delwyn Young will be starting in right field.

Post Game Update:
Given the current state of the Pirates’ offense, it tough to win many games. Pirate hitting was too few and far between, and the Pirates lost to the Cardinals 4-2. That’s their 8th loss in 9 games. (I guess I need to be in attendance more often!)

Tonight wasn’t Zach Duke’s best outing, but he still left the game in a manageable condition. Sean Burnett continued to be the strongest member of the Bucs’ bullpen, pitching 2 and 1/3 strong innings.

Albert Pujols was nasty, as always, going 4-4 including a 1st inning homer.

Our offense needs a jump-start.

Delwyn Young... until I can find a picture of him in a Pirates' uniform

Delwyn Young... until I can find a picture of him in a Pirates' uniform

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++;
}

?>

, , , , ,
Add your comment
May 4, 2009

Game 22, 23, 24 – Reds Weekend, Where Did the Bats Go?

admin Pirate Games

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

, , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Add your comment
April 27, 2009

Games 16, 17, and 18 – We’re Injured, but We’re Still Hot!

admin Pirate Games

I didn’t get to see or hear much Pirate baseball this weekend because I was in State College, PA for the Blue/White game, Penn State Football’s annual spring scrimmage. The weekend is really more about tailgating and enjoying the outdoors, but a reminder that college football season is on its way isn’t a bad thing either.

The Pirates were in San Diego for a 3 game series this weekend. Despite a mess of injuries, the Bucs found a way to win 2 out of 3 games and claim their third consecutive series win. Nate McLouth didn’t play at all this weekend due to an injured right oblique. It doesn’t sound like this injury will require a trip to the DL, but the team decided to keep McLouth out for precautionary reasons. Jack Wilson was sent to the DL because of the injured left middle finger that has been bothering him over the past week. Brian Bixler was called up to replace Wilson, and Bixler will likely split time at shortstop with Ramon Vazquez. Finally, Craig Hansen was sent to the DL because of neck spasms. Evan Meek was called up to replace Hansen.

Game 16 – The series opened with a tough loss for the Bucs. Pittsburgh used every pitcher that they had available before losing 4-3 in 11 innings. Ian Snell only lasted 5 and 1/2 innings. The relievers pitched 5 scoreless innings until Matt Capps walked 2 in the 11th and former Pirate, Brian Giles hit a game winning double.

Game 17 – Zach Duke looked strong once again to claim his 3rd win of the season. The Bucs dominated the Padres from start to finish in this game and took home the 10-1 victory. Duke pitched 8 and 1/3 inning, giving up 6 hits and 1 ER. He got plenty of support from his own batters with Freddy Sanchez going 3-5, Craig Monroe going 3-5, Eric Hinske going 2-3, Andy LaRoche going 2-4, and Jason Jaramillo going 2-4.

Game 18 – Ross Ohlendorf out-pitched Jake Peavy, and Adam LaRoche hit 2 home runs to lead the Bucs to an 8-3 win over the Padres. Ohlendorf pitched 7 innings, giving up 5 hits and 3 ER. John Grabow finished up the final two innings. Andy LaRoche went 2-5 to extend his consecutive game hitting streak to 10. So much for that slow start!

The Pirates are now 11-7, and they have already seen strong pitching performances from all of their starters. It sure looks like Pitching Coach, Joe Kerrigan is doing a lot of the right things.

With this series win, the Pirates are now 4 games over .500. That hasn’t happened since 2002. Also, the Pirates are now assured of a winning record in the month of April. That’s happened just twice in the last 15 years.

One final note from the weekend. Dave Davidson was claimed off waivers by the Florida Marlins. Only time will tell if this means anything.

padres

A 3 game series with the Milwaukee Brewers is next. Let’s hope that our injury depleted Pittsburgh Pirates can find a way to keep the wins coming.

Monday – Jeff Karstens @ Braden Looper – 8:05 P.M.
Tuesday – Paul Maholm @ Dave Bush – 8:05 P.M.
Wednesday – Ian Snell @ – Yovani Gallardo 1:05 P.M.

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Add your comment
April 20, 2009

Braves Series in Review

admin Pirate Games

The Pirates officially won their first series of the season when they took 2 out of 3 games from the Atlanta Braves. The Pirates scored 3-0 and 10-0 shutouts from strong pitching performances by Paul Maholm and Ian Snell. Zach Duke started the 3rd game of the series. Things got off to a bad start and never improved much. The Braves took the final game 11-1.

Some quick notes:

Game 10
Another great start for Paul Maholm. 7IP 4H.
Jack Wilson sat this game out with a sore finger.
Delwyn Young made his first at-bat as a Pirate. He entered as a pinch hitter and fouled out to the catcher.

Game 11
Another great start for Ian Snell. 7IP 4H.
Jack Wilson sat out again.
Craig Monroe had a 6 RBI game.
Andy LaRoche is using a new batting stance, and he seems to be figuring things out, going 3-4 with an RBI

Game 12
Zach Duke didn’t have a great start. 6IP 12H 6R.
Jack Wilson got back into the starting lineup. He went 1-3.
The Pirates had 7 hits, but they could only score 1 meaningless run in the 9th.
Delwyn Young played 2 innings in LF. He struck out swinging in the 8th.

atlanta-braves-logo1

, , , , , , ,
Add your comment
April 17, 2009

Games 10, 11, 12 – Braves Homestand

admin Pirate Games

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!

fenway-park-green-monster

, , , , , , , , ,
Add your comment
April 12, 2009

Game 7 – Duke does it again… this time a complete game shutout!

admin Pirate Games

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

, , , , , , , , , , , ,
Add your comment
April 8, 2009

Game 3 – Operation: Shut Down Pujols

admin Pirate Games

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.

, , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Add your comment
Next Entries »