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Final: Pirates 7, Rockies 5 181
DEJAN KOVACEVIC, DK ON PITTSBURGH SPORTS Game: Pirates (54-49) vs. Colorado Rockies (43-60) Pitchers: RHP Edinson Volquez (8-7, 3.86) vs. LHP Franklin Morales (5-5, 5.21) Time: 4:10 p.m. Site: Coors Field, Denver TV, radio: Root Sports, 93.7 The Fan Live box score: MLB.com Below is a video interview I did earlier in the week at PNC Park with Volquez, one that’s a bit outside the norm. We focused solely on one day in spring training, where he probably should have been a wreck but was anything but. Hope you enjoy this as much as I
Pastor today in church talked about Steeler Training Camp in Latrobe, where Steeleers working on fundamentals. Fundamentals more important than fanciness.
Then he talked about the fundamentals of us believing in and living for God. I paid attention!
Ended it by saying, “Go Bucs!”
By the way, Buccos knocking the cover off the ball against Rockies with Pedro on bench.
Just saying . . .
To borrow some phrasing, they can strike out with him or w/o him. His absence probably does give opposing pitchers one less batter to be careful with.
On this HOF induction day, I’ll make my annual statement that hopefully someday Danny Murtaugh will get voted in.
Reading – I agree with you 100%. It is a shame that Murtaugh is not in the Hall.
It’s a crime!!!!!
@Grote
Nobody air mailed a simple ground ball 10 rows into the seats without Pedro on the field either. Just saying!
Gave up 16 runs while scoring only 2.
How much worse could a fan-beaning behind 1st Base make it?!
Let the dude hit!
Welcome, Mr. Groat.
Go Duke !
Air mailed another today while going 1 for 4. His error cost another 2 runs. Its time to move on
I might be the only person who gets excited for baseball HoF inductions. Especially happy for Frank Thomas today, one of my all-time favorites and somebody that represents everything that’s good about this game.
Even if he did go to Auburn.
It’s disappointing to me in a sour grapes kind of way because it looked like Murtaugh was the next in line to get in when Herzog got in. Then Torre, LaRussa, and Cox retired, and I knew that those three would be next.
Not that I think that Herzog, Torre, LaRussa, or Cox were better managers than Murtaugh, but it has been so long since Murtaugh died that nobody thinks of him anymore. The Veterans Committee or whoever now votes on Managers, non-players, etc. wiil hopefully vote him in someday.
Where did you find that pic of Murtaugh? Never saw that one before.
It’s an AP wirephoto from the 1971 Playoffs that I bought on ebay a few years ago.
The caption says: “San Francisco, Oct. 2- All Happiness and Joy Before the Game– Managers Danny Murtaygh, left, of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and Charlie Fox of the San Francisco Giants are all smiles as they pose before the start of today’s first game in the National League …
… playoffs.”
Murtaugh was spelled correctly in the caption, I messed it up above hitting “y” instead of “u.”
I agree. He almost got in a few years back. Joe Brown was on the Veterans committee and that definitely worked in his favor.
There are at least two of us who love HOF day. Listening right now. Speeches were supposed to be 10 minutes, obviously Glavine didn’t get the memo. Question for the blog: earlier today in an interview with Bobby Cox, he said surveys show fans don’t like instant replay. He said t?
1. Josh Harrison (R) LF
2. Gregory Polanco (L) RF
3. Andrew McCutchen (R) CF
4. Gaby Sanchez (R) 1B
5. Neil Walker (S) 2B
6. Jordy Mercer (R) SS
7. Pedro Alvarez (L) 3B
8. Chris Stewart (R) C
9. Edinson Volquez (R) P
Per Steelkings, any truth to the rumor that Rockies are offering helmets to folks on first base line?
Hahahahaha!
Bucs may not win but at least they are not playing their 2nd-string.
Hit the ball, Pedro!
Line drives, Gregory!
1. Charlie Blackmon (L) CF
2. Josh Rutledge (R) SS
3. Corey Dickerson (L) LF
4. Nolan Arenado (R) 3B
5. Ben Paulsen (L) 1B
6. Wilin Rosario (R) C
7. Brandon Barnes (R) RF
8. DJ LeMahieu (R) 2B
9. Franklin Morales (L) P
I called for BMTIB to pick up Josh Rutledge last winter.
Looks like interesting shortstop who hits.
Gaby has to be the softest clean up hitter in baseball. By soft, I mean when he hits the ball it goes nowhere. Even in Denver. It’s as if he’s swinging a plastic Wiffle ball bat.
Lots of chatter today surrounding the Pirates and Red Sox lefty reliever Andrew Miller. Looks like something to keep an eye on.
He’s a rental, isn’t he?
Yes Biz, he is. Probably trying to unload Tabata. I think it’s becoming more & more obvious he’ll never be back here.
Shame if he isn’t back. Such a hustler.
Revvie, snark becomes you
We need this one today
I’m glad Pedro is back in the lineup
I hope Miller doesn’t cost us Josh Bell.
Redsox love Bell….
I’d hate to see the Bucs trade Bell – but for Miller and Carp I would be tempted.
BTW – good to see – and support the new venture. Was off with the grand daughters for a few days and just caught up on things..
All the best DK!
If you are a baseball fan(or writer), you need to get ahold of Maureen Dowd’s column in today’s NYTimes. It is about Roger Angell.
Any particular book you can suggest?
Almost anything either of them have written. “The Boys of Summer,” by Angell is the best known. Dowd is nearly as much fun to read as DK.
My bad, The Summer Game, by Angell. Roger Kahn wrote the Boys of Summer.
Another lefty by the Rockies? What a surprise. Teams will be pulling left handed fans out of the stands to pitch against us.
Howdy Wild One
Howdy Jandhi! Good to see you’re here.
Has DK said who his corporate sponsor is yet? Not that it matters, I was just curious.
Paging Mr. Daydro…
Mr. Daydro to the batters box please.
Good start JHay!!!
Guess I gotta pay up now!
3/4 of the former looneys are here!
Hey Puckers, I’ve been signed on since day 2.
Good to see you and Groatie…and more of the family here 
PATHETIC already!! Polanco HAS TO get a bunt donw there…HAS TO!! And what is the reason for Gaby Sanchez??
I don’t know why Polanco had to bunt there…just hit the damn ball!!
Lead-off walk and I turned it off already. Not wasting my time today.
Jandy – he’s not hitting…especially against lefties. Bunt for a hit…bunt for a sacrifice…just get the ball down and RUN!!
Karen, actually JHay had a lead-off double. Cutch walked. It really gets my Groat…err goat, how many runners they leave on base….
Already squandering chances.
I just do not understand why they continue to trot out Sanchez and Davis and expecting different results – isn’t that the definition of insanity?
No other options, we are stuck with those two for the rest of the season
I have asked before – and elsewere…
How much worse could a Lambo/Hague platoon be?
It would be a whole lot cheaper.
I would be happy to at least try out that combo before it’s too late to do any good.
Still a huge problem with production at first. Still pissed we didn’t sign Morneau. DUMB. So he didn’t do much in his short stint last year – he has a track record, & look at the season he’s having. UGH!
Overall I would agree – signing Morneau would have been a good idea – but age and injuries hurt the value – the game is now more for those under 30 for the most part.
OK Jordy started us off…let’s go…hit the ball Petey!
wow…walk for Volquez…bases loaded to Jhay
And Jhay does it again@!!!
Petey! Nice play!
Pa made that play??
yup!
When I see him do that, contrasted with his other plays, I always think back to Tanner’ s comment about Tim Foli’s defense (makes ordinary plays, extraordinarily). I now see why Tanner’s comment may not have been as inane as I thought it was.
It does not make up for the bad throws – but El Toro can make some plays at third. IF they could get the throws fixed he would be a very good third baseman – but of course that is a huge if.
Volquez having major issues
Have a feeling the Bucs will need 9 or more to win today
Um, how was that bat standing up?
Good question.
OH JHay, so close!
Did a little googling on R. Angell (92 yr old HoF inductee this year -‘ Spink award winner) and came across an opinion by a critic which said he wrote a commentary on Steve Blass(“gone for Good”), that was the best sports commentary ever!
Pedro strikes again
Wow. Just wow. Pedro again!
This is madness at this point. Even if just for the player’s sake, something needs to be done. I don’t know what. Something.
SEnd him down to Indianapolis for starters. He needs major help.
He ain’t going to Indy – that is not possible…
Time to find some one – Boston – who needs to have the next DO. I am a huge Pedro fan – as I was a huge Steve Blass fan – this throwing thing is mental – and will not go away – it never did for Blass
Send him down and use him as DH for a month or so?
Wehner keeps saying that repitition is the answer, but it is costing the team to keep marching him out there to get that repitition. Maybe triple a is what is needed. I still think they should move him to first but I guess no one in the organization feels that way.
To be clear – it is not COSTING the team a lot – what IS costing the team…
1. Pitching too fine – still too many bad counts and walks.
2. A first base platoon that makes me long for GI Jones…
3. A defense that at times looks more like the Keystone Cops than a MLB team
I wish I could find the stats, but how many one run games have we lost where the one run could have been avoided by Pedro being able to throw the most basic of throws. I agree that other factors might included in those losses. But they still COST the team (as you capitalize).
And even above those direct runs, how much would it affect the pitcher when they know they can’t trust the defense at 3rd base?
Nobody got hurt in the stands. Nothing to see here.
Used to think it was an issue of too much muscle. But that throw was just awesomely bad.
and here we go….
If pa was a nhl player, what would his plus minus be?
Oh Lord!
Ballgame.
there’s another two runs you can hang ol Pedro…slowly turning into Steve Blass right before our eyes
This game being considered as a model for how ballgames can proceed at a quick pace. Can’t believe it’s the 8th inning already. Wait. … What?
Agreed. It has been dragging. And not even halfway done.
My imagination, or is it a given that every inning Pedro throws one away, the other team is guaranteed to put up a crooked number?
Is Cutch playing dinged up? Seems out of focus, somehow? Especially last night.
Seems to me that he hasn’t been the same since he crushed that foul ball off of his ankle. He has also been going out of the zone way too much lately. Needs to stop trying to hit the three run homer with no one on base.
They are terrible with bases loaded – hard to believe.
A little unlucky this time
Groat started this thread talking about fundamentals. Well, the fundamentals on this team reek. And that’s on the coaching staff.
You gotta be kidding me.
Not a good play by J Hay there as he didn’t fire the ball into second. Might have had him.
Lunch Box times up the game
I’m ready to see Snider start a couple games in a row. He looks locked in right now and Polanco seems lost.
Maybe 23 can play first base.
Put a 1B glove in that lunchbox.
I thought they should have given him some reps at 1st in Spring Training…
Battling Buccos!!! Let’s get this W
#DK3stars 3. Lunchbox 2. Lunchbox 1. Lunchbox
J hay has to get 3 or 2
JHay continues to amaze
That. Was. Awesome.
He did it again! J Hay is unreal. Made up for that throw.
Walk is laughing on the radio because he did it again.
Hey Hey Laddie!
Hey Jandy girl. Was painting all weekend and had a quick check in. Settled in now for the final couple of innings. Good to see all our peeps back. Warms my heart.
Just what this lousy game needed!,,
This J Hay rundown was better because the last one he arguably went out of the baseline. Not today.
JHay’s effort paid off, Davis hits him in
Nice shot by Davis. I’ll retract my “garbage bucket” comment yesterday.
Lunchie’s like this blog. A phoenix. I thought he was gone when Polanco came up. He’s really contributed lately. Glad I’m not the GM.
You are too “irascible” to be GM
lol
JHay shines on
Jandy, I think you had said this before, but how do you stop getting emails based on replies to your comments? It just started today.
Carlos, I don’t know, wasn’t me. But set your e-mail controls to send them to your spam folder. that helps. I said I think it has to do with Word Press, b ut not sure how.
Thanks anyways for responding, I will try to fix it. Never received them before.
Not to contradict our expert commentator , but wouldn’t thin air make a ball drop faster?
You would think but he was too busy dazzling Wehner with his mathematic prowess.
It was Wehner’s comment.
This Blackmon is a nice looking player.
If you like mountain men.
Next episode at 9pm. Just make it, if the game pace picks up!
The skills Barb, the skills. Not the unibomber look…
Guess Tony Watson was bound to become human.
Have a beer Eric, and chill
Don’t tell me to chill with a beer….
…tell me to have ice cream cone
…why thanks, I just finished one.
LOL!
We need that guy to not hustle again.
Ouch, that hurt.
I keep trying to tell my son, playing catcher sucks. Foul trips, extra gear in hot weather but he loves it.
JHay for Prez!!!
Polanco for Veep.
Dr. Rex Brothers.
Nice! Has Watson’s back.
JHay is da man!
And Polanco follows suit!!!!
Back to back & belly to belly !
woop woop!!!
Gregory getting involved finally!!!!! 7-5!
Back to back jacks, baby!!!
Not to be denied. Back-to-back jacks.
Couldn’t be a Rockies fan, not real baseball.
Updated #DK3stars: 3. Polanco 2. Lunchbox 1. JHay
I’ve been saying this for some time now, but to me JHay is playing like another Bucs #5:
http://www.reflectionsofyesterday.com/uploads/sb16.jpg
Good ol Mad-dog! Bill Madlock. Anyone agree or am I just nuts?
CarGo just made an awesome catch to rob NW.
Oh and if you look at the photo of Bill Madlock, the beards they both sport are similar.
Naw , ya aint nutz.
Now thatyou mention it, I see it !
Cool!
Some back to back Jack is pretty good, I don’t say.
Outstanding catch by CarGo
And Mercer makes like Pedro
307 pitches thrown heading to the last of the 8th.
Really stupid steal attempt especially with a lefty batter up there.
WW sucks as a manager. This team has some talent but he’s screwing that up too.
Maybe it’s time to make JHay our regular 3d baseman while Pedro is in psychotherapy.
Sad , but I believe you are correct.
Gotta be in the head. Ya don’t make it this far without the athletic skills that most humans cannot even sniff.
If you watch the videotapes closely, you will see that the problem with Pedro’s throws to first are with the timing of his release. His fielding is fine, his aim is good, but his release is wrong. His throws to 2nd and home are fine. I wish him well with the shrink.
These day-night doubleheaders are awesome.
lol
++++++
Wonderful comeback, so far. Team is able to look awful and then “wake up.” The contrast is often stunning.
Truly amazing, that contrast. Played poorly for more than half the game, then fought back.
Not sure what is happening during the pre-game catcher meetings but Martin and Stewart need to keep it up. Those two are just playing some good baseball.
Think if we ask nicely they’ll show the Sara Evans concert ?
Beats reruns of Mountain Men, though I don’t give a damn, cuz I’ve done that already . . .
Finally!
Raise it! Nice comeback.
3 hours 58 minutes & 334 pitches later …
All true, but it warms my heart and saves the weekend. Never boring.
YES! Raise it!!!
HAHA!! I went to mass tonight & prayed for them! Drove home listening to Melancon rocking in the 9th. WHEW!!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Good win Buccos. Team need that one. Now take 5 of the next 7 games.
1 out of 3 against a bottom-feeder like Colorado is very disappointing.
Bucs need to get back on track.
Well, you have to understand, it took two and a half games for our guys to shake off the debilitating effects of the smokes that are on sale now legally all over Colorado. I mean, dudes in their tax bracket have to try out the cool new thing, don’t they?