DEJAN KOVACEVIC, DK ON PITTSBURGH SPORTS
LATROBE, Pa. — Morning, Lunatics …
• The Sunday column is about Markus Wheaton, the man facing more pressure than anyone at Saint Vincent College right now. Be sure to click the video link in there for my full interview after yesterday’s practice.
• Pitt’s football camp opens this morning, so I’ll be over on the South Side for that, then file the Monday column on that topic.
• The goal is to have that column written and filed before going back on the air at 105.9 the X. I’ll be the host again today 3-6 p.m., filling in for Mark Madden.
• It was a fairly momentous final day of the road trip for the Pirates on Sunday, and not just because of the 10-inning loss to the Diamondbacks: Andrew McCutchen was hurt, Pedro Alvarez was benched and might get moved across the diamond, and Neil Walker was unavailable a second straight day. Keep telling yourself: It’s a long season.
• Oh, and if you’re a Pirates fan, you will want to see this.
• And this, if you can stand it again. I’m not as apoplectic about this as some of the feedback I heard from readers while I was in Latrobe. It’s fairly clear the runner raised his left hand in an attempt to interfere with the throw, but to me, that rule needs to be black and white, same as a handball in soccer. No hand can touch the ball there under any circumstance. If you leave that up to umpire’s discretion, you’re asking for trouble, because it’ll never be definitive.
• Bottom line: The Pirates lost that game a lot more because of Gaby Sanchez having one of the worst at-bats in human history than they did because of umpiring.
• Thanks, as always, for reading. And for your support of the site.
Morning Loonies! Absolutely the umpiring is bad, but, it does always come back to the players. It was just a miserable ending to the long trip. Still, I’ll take a .500 trip considering how things started.
Mentioned last week I was going to share a story with you all: my wife and small team from our church have joined up with 70 others from around the world and are in Cambodia working with 300 plus kids at orphanages. There are hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of orphans in…
Thanks for sharing, TJA. Our two daughters were born in China, and we got to visit one of their orphanages. The workers do as well as they can, and any extra TLC for the kids and assistance for the orphanage itself is much appreciated.
Thanks, Tom! Appreciate hearing your personal story and will share this with my wife ans her team.
…Cambodia. They are there for a couple weeks, except for one our our young men who will be moving there for a year. He is going to working with Cambodian officials to develop Little League baseball programs for these kids and others across the country. We are so…
TJA – That is so awesome! Just when we think the world is imploding around us, stories of pure goodness & hope arise. Kudos to your church’s (& wife’s) efforts. Special place reserved for YINZ all above!
Thanks, Karen! I agree. With all the bad stuff….there indeed is a lot of good out there. We just don’t always hear it. part of why I wanted to share this.
….blessed to have all the baseball we have in America for our kids and us big kids, too. So, for this to be introduced to kids in a far away land….it is SO amazing. And lastly, the hope is to have the Pirates support to this in a year or so. Just wanted to share this.
Justice, that is awesome. Kudos to all of yinz for doing this!
Thank you, Jandy! And, maybe our team can introduce the word “yinz”, too! LOL
Impressive, Justice. Churches are doing great work around the globe. Ours just participated in a Guatamala mission with others from several states. Lives get changed by these, and the visitors at least as much as the visited!
Thank you, Bill and also for what your church is doing! Indeed…those that went last year said they same thing….this is a life changing event for the “visitors”, too. I would strongly agree with you.
Yinz can introduce Yinz
Umps were wrong in invoking rule 7.09 (f)–that has to do with interference on a batted ball. Rule 7.09 (d) applies–runner who is out hindering/impeding with attempt to get another runner. No intent, clear as a bell, look it up. Buccos need to protest!
It won’t get them anywhere, unfortunately.
I don’t necessarily agree, Jandy. Since it would involve the wrong rule being invoked as opposed to just a judgment call, I think they would have a chance. Of course, this is the MLB we’re talking about, so why would we ever expect them to do the right thing, right?
You answered your own question, and showed you actually DO agree with me, Rico
Thought it was very simple also, Rico. Really confused by the umps lack of action on this call.
They looked like they had an early flight and didnt care
JAL’s It’s Gonna take an Airplane Plane Morning Links
1 USA Today
Nightengale: NL Central race not one to sleep on
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2014/08/03/nl-central-cardinals-brewers-pirates-race-john-lackey-matt-garza/13558787/
2 CBS Sports
Diamondbacks beat Pirates on controversial walk-off fielder’s choice
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/24647717/diamondbacks-beat-pirates-on-controversial-walk-off-fielders-choice
3—Pirates Prospects
First Pitch: Pedro Alvarez’s Future With the Pirates
http://www.piratesprospects.com/2014/08/first-pitch-pedro-alvarezs-future-with-the-pirates.html
Wow, thank you first of all for posting that awesome track by Destroyer. Excellent, idiosyncratic band, impossible to categorize–always my favorite kind. Also, thanks for these great links every day. I know DK limited you to three but I miss the days when you posted a bunch!
Who slides with only one hand up?
That said, Gaby (the Masher/Mr. Pop-Up) sucks. Taking a center cut fastball and a center cut slider with the tying run on 3B is inexcusable. Embarrassing he turned to the umpire after that at bat. Cannot wait for the day he’s out of Pgh.
Not sure if others noticed but Gaby headed straight from the dugout to the clubhouse runway after his pathetic at bat, undoubtedly to view the video. If he was thinking either of the 2 pitches he took were borderline he doesn’t belong in the major leagues. He’s horrible.
Being right handed is the only reason he’s here, otherwise it would be Lambo.
Lambo is not here because he cannot hit major league breaking pitches
Maybe the BMTIB will be lucky enough to move Gaby to an AL contender in a waiver deal before the end of the month.
Or he will probably get thru waivers, why not secure waivers on him and send him to Indy.
I can’t stand this guy!
+++++++
Gaby’s at bat infuriated me probably more than any other this season. He needs to go. He’s completely useless & a waste of a roster spot.
I turned off the game after that at bat [did look back a few times but was totally disgusted]. Gaby & Davis need to thank Pedro for taking the heat off of them – the have both stunk up the joint & don’t start on me with the “Ike had two hits so he is about to get hot!” crap…
Agree x 1000. Pathetic.
I still maintain that the “review system” has screwed things up worse than before. MLB should have left well enough alone. The sport had no reviews for 100 plus years…..just saying….
Couldn’t agree with you more. Slows down an already slow game.
Is Pedro going to be released by the Buccos after this season?
Bet they’ll listen to trade offers, but work with him to refine throwing or play first if no offers come.
I’d be shocked if they released him. The only time I remember them letting an asset walk out of the door for nothing was Matt Capps. Cue Pedro asset/liability comments in 3, 2, 1…
No way they will release him now, trade always possible but trade value not that high right now.
Domske,
.
You must be a lawyer———you ask the most inane questions!
.
That must be intentional.
Why do you think I always tell Dom “You’re so cute!”
lol
Be prepared to define “inane”
I would think you could DL Pedro (as a mental “injury”), get him some time to work on things and then send him off on a rehab assignment until he works it out, or doesn’t). Seems more viable than some of the “injuries” we’ve seen people diagnosed with in the past.
Khalil Greene was DL’d for social anxiety issues – we can definitely DL Petey for psychological reasons.
This isn’t connected to any recent play, but I’d favor a rule change that if a catcher fails to catch a pitch AT ANY TIME, the batter has the option to try to take first base. Too much ball in the dirt pitching because the catcher doesn’t have to catch it. Your thoughts, all?
The game is not pitch-and-catch.
.
The game is hit-and-run.
.
How ’bout this change . . . . the batters only concentrate on swinging at balls over the plate, not in the dirt?
Is this a memo to Marte?
I don’t understand the reluctance to move Alvarez to 1st in season. IIRC, Walker was plugged into 2nd with 0 experience. Gaby (3rd) and Martin (1st) were put at those spots a couple years ago never having played there. Moving Pedro solves both 3rd and 1st base problems.
Walker played some second in indy i think. Not much though. He was blocked at third by andy laroche…yikes…and catcher by paulino…yikes again. Good old david littlefield.
No, it was reported then that Walker had never played 2nd. Errors seem to be affecting Pedro’s hitting, so move to 1st might clear his mind and spark a hitting streak. He’s got a good glove and decent range, he could make the move ok, imho.
They’ll be looking to trade him, quite sure. Catch 22 is if they try him at 1B now and he’s terrible there as well, he will be at his lowest possible trade value. If not tried at 1B this season at least there is hope that he would project at 1B.
Meant in reply to Dom.
Unfortunately, I think Pedro’s future is to be as a DH in the AL. So with that being said, I think his trade value as such will remain the same whether he fails as a 1B or not. I’m with you though, let’s see if he can do it. He’s solid with the glove, so it’s worth a shot.
About moving Pedro to 1st base, it’s not like they’re moving him to left tackle. There shouldn’t be any push back from Pedro on this, frankly he should have volunteered by now. Sure there’d issues defensively, but it’s not like they’re replacing Keith Hernandez over there.
All that said if he’s not hitting, there’s no reason to put him anywhere except where he is right now.
socialpolling_verb
maybe without the pressure of throwing to 1st his batting will come around….
Don’t know if he is hitting———he seldom plays.
.
Just know he cannot be hitting worse than super pick-up Ike Davis, and “too tired to swing the bat” Gaby Sanchez.
Triple amen. He needs to at least platoon with a competent right-hand batter at first. Pinch hitting isn’t his forte with all those whiffs.
This is Gaby’s 3rd year with the Bucs & he has shown NOTHING!!
DFA him now!!
Whoa Nellie, people are going off on Gaby…we’ve got SOME infield corners, lol. I’m trying to go outside the box…maybe Petey has something wrong with his eyes? Or…stay with me…he forgot the rules, and he’s trying to hit the runner, or he gets distracted watching fans eat
Mike Mitchell has been activated off the PUP list. He’ll practice today.
The Pirates have a better chance of getting a base hit with Stevie Wonder batting in place of Gaby. At least Stevie will SWING THE BAT! (Same thought might also apply to Ike Davis. I’ll let you decide…)
I thought you were gonna say Ike Turner. He connected often.
Poor Tina!!
MLB better bring the hammer down on the D-Backs catcher, pitcher, Gibson, and Trammell.
Don’t hold your breath…you might turn blue
Ain’t THAT the truth!
We are still leaving inordinate numbers of RISP this season. Until thats corrected we will have problems regardless of the umpires
I have the joy of getting the visiting team feed for the mlb.com games, and I think Bob Brenley (who is very good) said the Pirates have had the most bases loaded hitting situations in the majors…or something like that
Masters of hitting into the 1-2-3 double play.
The greatest misconception of this team. Pirates are 6th in NL with runners in scoring position, above league average.
If Lambo was supposed to be the first baseman at the beginning of the year, and lost the job, why not give him a second chance now? He can’t do any worse than what they are running out there everyday now.
I’d like to see that happen once we know Neil Walker is ok and with Marte back. With Nix, there is no reason for Martinez to be on the big league roster, so he can go back to Indy and I would think Lambo may get another crack.
Lambo is not a major league player.
And you know that how?
Be careful – the standard you use for him might also apply to Sanchez, Davis, Morel, Martinez and Nix.
Lambo went 0 fer spring training when the mgt was trying to hand him the job. He did nothing in his MLB stint last year either. He is what some call a 4A player.
Tabata is a better choice to be put back on the 40 man roster and recalled.
And you and those like you are the reason Brian Moss and Jose Bautista are producing 3+ WAR for teams other than the Pirates.
Just an awful ruling by the umpire crew. They couldn’t get off the field fast enough. Clearly, the runner stuck his arm up at the last second to knock the ball down. A quick look would have been all they needed to see it was blatant. A total sham.
Unless some of us are reading the rule book incorrectly, it shouldn’t have mattered whether it was deliberate or not. It was interference.
Here’s hoping we don’t have to see a “Cutch to the DL” announcement today.
A lot of third basemen have switched to first base or another position (e.g. Pujols, Cabrera, Garvey, Braun), and Pedro could probably field the position, but can he even throw the ball back to the pitcher on pick off attempts? 1B presents its own throwing issues.
Even more importantly, can he make the throw to second on the 3-6-3 double play or the first to third on an advancing runner. But these happen less often.
Garrett Jones still can’t throw the ball to 2nd base. Literally. He’s survived.
Sloppy way of agreeing with you, Reading.
I vaguely remember a third baseman who transitioned to CF full time and did OK. Some guy named Van Slyke …
Beyond frustrated that the Pirates did not hit one of the D-backs yesterday. Once again it sends a message we are soft and will let you throw at our superstar. Hitting Cutch was not justified when Goldie’s was obviously unintentional. Apples and oranges.
I think we are applying a double standard. Last year I recall the Bucs retaliating for all the HBPs of Cutch, regardless of intent. It wasn’t THAT the Dbacks retaliated, it was HOW they did it. Cutch said so. But to hit someone yesterday would’ve been wrong. You move on.
Would have loved to see what would have happened in yesterday’s game if AJ Burnett was on the hill. We do not need to regress to the soft team we were in year’s past. No warnings were given before the game, so we had a green light to drill Trumbo.
what would have happened is that AJ would have given up about 5 runs.
DK: On the play that ended the game, UMPS WERE WRONG. Rule doesn’t need intent, runner is out once he interfered with the throw. Sliding in hard is fine, but putting hand up is not. Kulpa’s quote proved that the MLB umps are mostly clueless on the rulebook. Nice.
It’s a play you rarely see CMat. But every time you do the call is automatic. That’s the 1st time I’ve ever seen that play that it wasn’t called a double play. It’s automatic, except for yesterday.
Yes and yes, to both of you.
yes, what makes it worse is that Ron Kulpa was so confident they got it right that he makes a very rare quote in the media. But his quote is wrong. Cites wrong rule, need for intent. Best he just keep his mouth shut like so many times the umps get it wrong.
If it makes everyone feel better to focus on the umps and the rule, go nuts. Me, I’ll look back at Gaby LOOKING at strike three with men on second and third and one out. That’s the ballgame right there. All else is immaterial because it never should have happened.
To be fair here (that’s a first for me), rule 7.09e does say “willfully & deliberately”.
DK,
You forgot the part about Gaby arguing with the umpire on a pitch that split the plate in two (the 2nd one he looked at that was right down the middle). Pinch looking at it’s best. Or worst.
DK, respectfully, I can talk and chew gum and I can both criticize Gaby and the umpires at the same time. I have not once blamed them FOR THE LOSS, but Umps need to be accountable, just as Gaby needs to be. As long as we are at it, Jordy’s flailing mess of 4 ABs helped lose too
I don’t see those words in the 2014 rule book of MLB I looked up.
709F, as in FRANK, (hi Frank), says “willfully and deliberately” in relation to a double play. 709E, as in EAGLE, says simply “interfering with a subsequent play”. Lawyers, and crappy umpires, will cling to their own interpretations, whether E or F best applies here.
I will point out that there is no legitimate reason for a runner to put his hand in the air IF NOT the interfere with the throw. None. Not for balance, not a natural movement. So for the ump to say ‘players put their hands in the air all the time sliding into 2nd’ is assinine.
709 F and G are the relevant rules
7.09(f): A baserunner willfully and deliberately interferes with a
ball or fielder with obvious intent to break up a double play; the
batter-runner is also out
7.09(g): A batter-runner wilfully and deliberately interferes
with a ball or fielder with obvious intent to break up a double play is
out; the runner closest to home plate is also out
The Dbacks radio and TV crew were adamant that the umps were wrong and the Dbacks got a gift. They were VERY CANDID talking about this on the postgame. Umps blew the call and there was NO QUESTION about it and they have an experienced crew.
As to Pedro, he sure seems like a JA. At a time when he should be humble, he mutters ‘it hasn’t been discussed’ when walking away from the reporter. I’m rooting for the guy but he makes it hard to have too much empathy for him.
Milo, did you take a look at the rule we’ve been talking about regarding yesterday? 7.09 e
I read it. I’m only saying I’ve never not seen that called a double play until yesterday.
See my post a bit above 709 F and G are the relevant rules
I thought f and g applied to batted balls. At the very least the rule book is as clear as mud.
Applies to any runner trying to break up a DP
Bad call
Bad game
Bad road trip
Good thin nobody else in the division is any good.
And just can’t wait for all of the BMTIB great trade deadline moves to kick in!!!
oooops – never mind
5-5 is not a bad road trip. You would take playing .500 ball on the road all day if you can 2 of 3 at home…
Except when the opposition is 2 of the three worst teams in the league. Then you expect more.
So are you saying that 5-5 on this road trip is bad, or just not what you hoped for? There is a difference.
Its fine on average. But when you are in a tight race and you have the hardest month of your schedule ahead of you you HAVE to win both those series. Road vs bottom feeders have to be like home games.
Finally, on the move to 1B: What hasn’t been considered is “does Hurdle WANT to replace Ike with Pedro”? Yes, Pedro has much more power, but he hasn’t hit any better than Ike and won’t field 1B better than Ike…in the offseason, yes, no brainer, move Pedro to 1b. but now??
Agree – can’t be now.
Yes now. Have him work out over there for a week or so & see how it goes. If it looks like he can’t do it then scrap it. Everyone makes this sound like they’re moving him from 3rd base to brain surgeon. 1st base is third base backwards. This is being completely over complicated.
I will agree that he can handle 1B (at least better than having him mutilate 3b). And I personally prefer him there to Ike. But he sure doesn’t seem like he’s in a ‘get after it, try hard’ mode and that must chap Hurdle some.
Exactly. Just look at Ryan Zimmerman, when he actually plays that is. He can’t throw it to first base anymore either. He volunteered to move to the outfield in the middle of a pennant race. And they actually put him out there, in a game. Gasp !
I’ts starting to look like something is up with Sutter’s contract. This is when he should be hitting the ice getting ready for training camp and i doubt he wants to do so while unsigned. Seems like should be a no brainer for both parties. Do 1 year deal then extend after Jan 1.
And IMO the longer Kevin Hayes goes unsigned by the hawks the better our chances are of signing him after aug 15. Kid has monster tendencies and would have a clear path into our top 9 in short order. Promised him primantis sammich on the 16th. Offer stands. Deep dish overrated
Rutherford said it would be done this week. I’ll take him at his word.
Oh really? I must have missed it. Then again i dont have much use for tribune site anymore so can see why. And PG seems to be on a hockey strike.
I hope you’re right, Milo.
Rutherford’s quote from a July 31st Yohe tweet, “should be done soon”.
Oh ok. Still haven’t graduated to being a Twitterer. Hope they’re close but with 4.2M in cap space contract should negotiate itself. Then he and Ehrhoff can boogie with extensions after Jan 1.
Happy belated birthday to Tom Brady. The Pats QB turned 37 yesterday.
Maybe Giselle can get him a new pair of capri pants.
Oh, believe me, he makes enough to buy whatever type of pants he so desires.
Dom, you’re so cute
Andy Dalton signs a six year 115 million dollar extension. I’d expect Big Ben to obtain more than that.
Mercy. No wonder the Bungles never win a playoff game.
Why do you feel that’s a bad move? I always considered him a solid starter.
Why do you feel that’s a bad move? I always considered him a solid starter.
He is solid, but not worth that IMHO.
Now the figure is 96 million.
I don’t know, Dom, I just think he has a harder time winning the big games, but, in this market, he probably is worth it. It’s not my money and I will never be a Bengal fan even if they moved the stadium across the street from my house.
Gaby Sanchez inspires the least amount of confidence than any other Pirate for me. He is worthless against right handed pitching. He might draw a walk in a big situation when a hit is needed. He has zero power. When he hits the ball it goes nowhere. He can’t be gone soon enough.
Flabby Gaby needs to be DFA’d TODAY!! He is a disgrace!!!!
Do people not understand platoons or just really not like Gaby Sanchez?
Good to see you around again, NMR. They really don’t like him…
Both I think. Hes fine against lefties. He is sent up there against righties way too often. But that AB yesterday was putrid no matter what hand the pitcher throws with. Two pitches over the heart of the plate and belt high lokked at and he had the audacity to complain? Been hanging with Ike the whiner Davis way too long.
-Thanks, Jandy. Did I miss anything while on vacation?
-AJS, didn’t see the game so I’ll certainly defer to you guys, and maybe all these “he’s a bum” comments are emotional reactions stemming from that. But man…
Gaby stinks, NMR
Gaby stinks, NMR – end of story!
He’s ok versus lefties. We just saw an inordinate number of lefties with those games against the Rockies. He knocked in exactly 1 run. He sucks and has zero power. I’d rather have one mediocre guy at 1st base than two guys who stink taking up roster spots.
Yes, Rock. We should judge baseball players on their immediate past performance, not on the larger body of work. That is exactly how the game works.
way to net it out, Rock
I’d like Gaby Sanchez if he could freakin’ HIT! So no, I don’t like Gaby Sanchez!
NMR, you missed a lot of technical HOST problems while you were away. Not much otherwise lol.
Gabby has not been hitting much of anything, and the frustration stems from that. I’ll agree he did look pretty bad vs the Snakes.
Far from baseball expert but I think Pedro needs to look into doing Visualization exercises. Always helped me to envision plays before games and maybe if he meditates before games visualizing solid throws he’ll be able to make them as 2nd nature instead of over thinking.
I am not sure 709 F and G apply since it was not interference with a batted ball or a fielder attempting to field a batted ball. I would think that 709 E is what applies.
Yes, Dave.
Re: Pedro’s adventures at 3rd, to quote Casey Stengel, “I knew he couldn’t hit, but I didn’t know he couldn’t field either”
Gabby barking at the ump after a called strike that was center cut was embarrassing. What a terrible at bat. It says a lot about where they are with Pedro when they throw Gabby up against a righty with Pedro available. Gabby should never in a million years pinch git against a right handed pitcher.
He wasn’t barking, I read his lips, he said “so let me get this straight, the wood thing is supposed to strike that little ball”
I’ll have to push back publication of today’s Pitt column until tonight. Chryst’s first practice is running WAY long, and I’m due in X studio within the hour.
So will J. Jones be answer at OLB? Wouldn’t shazier’s speed be put to better use on pass rush as OLB? Thought V. Williams was solid as MLB last season. So if jones can’t cut it as OLB anyone else think we may be better off with Williams starting as MLB and shazier as OLB?
I asked that months ago and agree with your position. However, the Steelers do indeed use their ILBs in coverage, so his speed wont be wasted. Timmons has been used in coverage for years now.
Thanks for feedback IronWicki and Dom. I know our LB’s get moved around and zone blitz will require flexibility. Just thinking out loud in case Jones doesn’t light it up as pass rusher. I’m pulling for Spence too. Any chance we still trade for CB? Maybe WR or LB for CB upgrade?
Jones has much to prove for sure. I think JPeezy was brought in to get the best out of him. The kid has too much talent. Williams was OK but he doesn’t have the upside of Shaz. Look out for Spence if he’s healthy. Spence is a heady kid that can cover.
A good article on Lebeau from the trib. Maybe the Master has some new tricks up his sleeve. One thing is for certain defenses are playing catch up.
http://triblive.com/mobile/6519528-96/lebeau-defense-start
Chryst is already overworking his club ? Day one!
Out of curiosity, if the runner goes in standing up and the ball hits him, is it a double play? Ie, any rule that says runner is obliged to get his body out of the way, if he is in the basepath?
A step toward 3rd, and the problem goes away.
My initial thought yesterday was maybe Nix didn’t get far enough away from the base. But he clearly stepped back toward the centerfield side of second base to make the throw. The baserunner clearly went away from the base to slide into Nix. Not sure if that is a violation.
I’m sure if the runner goes in standing up, whoever fields the ball will KNOW to step around him to throw the ball.
No, I think if the guy goes in standing and he gets hit, its an automatic DP, the fielder has the right to throw the ball to first
I stand corrected
Just googled phrase ‘monkey wrench’ and this article popped up: http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=458578
Fancy that.
That will be some wrench for sure…
If you view the link to Montero using his middle finger to signal the intent to hit Cutch, what is even more obvious is his hop even BEFORE the pitch is thrown to a position behind Cutch. It is ridiculously obvious that there was intent – how can there not be consequences?
Cubs call up Baez from AAA
DK could be on Mark Madden’s show through Thursday.
Ohhh NOOOOOOO!!! Cutch to the 15 day DL!!
We’re COOKED.
Umpires were horrible yesterday no doubt….but you have to hit the ball with runners in scoring position period!!!
Ron Cook reporting McCutchen to be placed on DL. Out 3 to 4 weeks at the minimum.
Couple this with the uncertainty around Walker & Cole, this past weekend was the beginning of the end.
Oh yeah, and they could really use Alvarez bat right now. Totally letting his teammates down.
Alvarez needs to also go on the DL
Oh…I see your comment Milo. I heard something on the radio.
That was just reported by the local news
Did I hear Andrew is on the DL for 15 days?
Last year, the PBC found ways to win games, now they are finding ways to lose
Word is Cutch to the DL.
I hit the panic button so hard it’s busted now…
With Cutch out, we need Marte off the rehab and on the field. Lunchie and Martinez are not options in center in a pennant race.
Hope Walker comes around, too. If not, we’re going to have to pitch a whole lot better than we have been.
Seeing Marte being recalled early could be a big sign
KDKA TV has a teaser on Cutch’s injury. should be on in about 5 minutes
If the news on Cutch is true then the they missed the opportunity to go 7-3 or maybe 8-2 – could turn out to be the difference.
The schedule is going to get tough after the next 6 games – they cannot afford to go 3-3 in those…
And Walker to the DL is not out the question
Two words – Andrew Lambo.
Absolutely. He can play left or first and moved Ike out. Marte in center. Lunchie to spell RF and LF.
I thought everyone has their hands in the air to some extent when they slide into 2nd on a dbl play ball. I always viewed it as an attempt to interfere/create a distraction and hope for an error at 1st. Nobody ever actually makes contact with the ball though.