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On location: Pirates 3, Cardinals 1 210
DEJAN KOVACEVIC, DK ON PITTSBURGH SPORTS Getting ready for the first pitch … Game: Pirates (68-64) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (71-60), 12:35 p.m., PNC Park Pitchers: LHP Jeff Locke (5-3, 3.69) vs. RHP Adam Wainwright (15-8, 2.52) TV, radio: Root Sports, 93.7 The Fan Online: Live box score / Multimedia / Official media notes
Lets beat Wainwright & the dirty birds today! Would be a very nice victory!
Let’s LOCKE it down!
No Pedro today, per a FAN report
Supposedly left the stadium in a walking boot last night. Could be out awhile. Some sort of foot/toe sprain, I think.
Sprained his ankle on the dive for the double down the line. Get well, Petey!
Well if there is ONE spot we have depth, its 1B and left hand hitters. Hopefully not a DL stint and we are close to the roster expanding time anyway.
Foot, not ankle…ops.
On a side note:
http://screengrabber.deadspin.com/the-day-they-held-a-baseball-game-and-no-one-came-1627362819/+bubbaprog
And yet they have a higher payroll (by far) than the Pirates. If the Reds aren’t losing money, the Pirates must be making mattresses out of the stuff.
Reds average attendance this year is 31,112. They are #13 in MLB.
Reds are on the way DOWN, folks. They have overextended on payroll and will be faced with trading at least 1 or 2 of their starting pitchers who go into their final contract year in 2015.
Lots of questionable long term deals for big $$. Votto & Phillips, especially. But, their attendance is just fine.
I’m not going to beeyotch about someone trying to win. They made some bad moves, not the least of which was waiting to fire Dusty until after last year.
no beyotching here , AW. Just that moves have impact at some point, Reds operated at/over their payroll limit (yes other owners have those too) and that caused them to (1) not make any deadline moves and (2) have to jettison some players this offseason. Have to make the RIGHT
Martin has to play today. There’s a day off tomorrow & another one next Thursday.
On the other hand I think the prudent play is to rest McCutchen.
I’m with you on this one Milo! McCutchen will try to play through anything he can though. Has that old school mentality.
Let’s win the series. Time for the supporting cast to show the non believers how it’s done. Whatever it takes…no excuses.
Cardinals Lineup
Cardinals Lineup
Matt Carpenter
RF: Randal Grichuk
LF: Matt Holliday
1B: Matt Adams
SS: Jhonny Peralta
CF: Jon Jay
C: Tony Cruz
2B: Daniel Descalso
SP: Adam Wainwright
Pirates Lineup
1. Harrison 3B
2. Snider RF
3-McCutchen CF
4. Walker 2B
5. Martin C
6. Davis 1B
7. Marte LF
8. Mercer SS
9. Locke P
McCutchen & Martin both in the lineup.
Cutch is toughing this thing out. But, I wonder after how much pain he looked to be in last night, if he needs today off. I guess we’ll see. People talk about the intensity of AJ & Russ. Cutch is as intense as anybody. Love his leadership.
He’s in the lineup, Jim – Mr. Studly!
Amen, Jim. Hard to believe, but he doesn’t get enough credit.
(People will complain about him playing center)
I hope Cutch doesn’t overdo it…that said, yes, give the guy a lot of credit.
As for intensity, Cole matches Russ and Cutch in that!
I know Wainwright has been struggling, but he’s still Wainwright. I think we need a minimum of 6 IP (hopefully 7) from Locke, w no more than 2 runs allowed (preferably 0 or 1). So, I guess, yeah, I’m saying I think we need a gem out of Locke today to win. I assume Watson is out.
What Cutch is doing right now playing through this is reminiscent of Dave Parker playing with that broken jaw & all those various face masks back in 1978. Andrew McCutchen is a beast & don’t ever let anybody tell you differently.
We were posting almost identical thoughts at the same time, Milo. Could not agree more. When I heard Cutch say after Sunday’s game that he was not 100% but still good enough to take their closer deep in the 9th I loved it.
That 1978 Pirates team produced one of the great pennant charges, led by Parker. The Pirates fell 11.5 games behind the Phillies on August 12th & nearly pulled it off. Don Robinson allowed Phillies pitcher Randy Lerch to hit 2 homers on the next to the last day to seal it.
I remember. Pirates were down 10-4 in the ninth, scored 4 runs to make it 10-8. I don’t remember if the Pirates ever got the tying run to the plate.
I attended the Fri doubleheader on the last weekend. The Bucs swept 2 exciting games. They needed to also win Sat & Sun. As Milo said, 2 Lerch HRs sunk them on Sat. That game started off great, though. Wilver hit a slam in the 1st for a 4-0 lead.
Stargell struck out & Garner grounded out (I think) with Bill Robinson on base. I remember them having to pull Tug McGraw & thinking we had them. Stargell hit a grand slam in the 1st inning & I thought we had them there too.
I was there Friday night also Jim. The crowd noise causing Garry Maddox & Bake McBride to let Ed Ott’s fly ball drop. Warren Brusstar’s balk. And Bruce Kison hitting a home run off Steve Carlton. What a night.
That was a great night, Milo. I was in the upper deck w my cousin. The noise was deafening. It was an electric atmosphere. I remember my dad complaining about how long it took him to fight traffic to pick us up afterwards because we were too young to drive. Great times.
& thanks for reminding me about all those great moments – esp the ball dropping between those 2 speedy OF. You have a great memory for details. It seemed like fate that they would sweep 4 straight when Willie went deep on Sat. But, it wasn’t to be … until ’79.
That ’78 game was one of the best I ever attended. Never forget it.
May be right behind the Wildcard game last year. And they LOST.
Cutch is a STUD! And thank you, Hurdle, for realizing it’s Martin all day, every day, the rest of the way! “THIS is how it’s going to be…” No rest for the motivated!
Oh, and: SIGN RUSSELL MARTIN!!
AMEN!!! SIGN THE MAN!
Surprised to see Cutch in there, on one hand, but on the other hand, this dude is a LEADER and he does so by EXAMPLE.
Not surprised to see Martin, but I do think he gets a day off vs. the Reds at home, which is a MUCH easier game than this one here vs. the Cards.
Martin gets tomorrow off with the rest of the team, right? That’s good enough for me.
yes, i’m just guessing he will also get Sunday off, but that’s just my guess.
Maybe, cmat. But, I think Hurdle is moving into playoff race mentality. He has carefully rested Russ all yr. With Thur off this week and next, I hope you are wrong about that guess.
Cutch needs today off. But Alvarez complicates the lineup. So much for Pedro being one of the core the next few years. Hopefully 2015 is a big year for him but not counting on it. He just has no sense of urgency and thought the light turned on last year. Now not good.
There’s no “not want to” in Pedro.
Really don’t get that. Must be demeanor. Or how he wears his hat.
Wilver Dornel,
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Right on the nose!! Must be the hat!!
NL records since Aug 8:
Nats 13-6
Cards 10-6
Brewers 10-7
Braves 10-8
LA 9-8
SF 7-9
BUCS 7-11
Reds 4-13
We’ve focused on the Bucs’ issues, especially the losing streak sans Cutch, but no one else is really playing lights out, except for the Nats. Roller coaster all around.
Cards have been outscored by 10 runs this year, but are 11 games above .500.
I guess there isn’t an advanced metric for ‘grinding out’ wins, eh?
I think it’s gWAR, cmat.
No need for an advanced metric – Cards have an amazing 18 shutouts – 18!!!
14 of those shutouts are starter plus bullpen games – only 4 are complete games.
The Bucs have 3
Pirates have outscored the Cards by 65 runs. Cards have given up 46 less runs.
bumper sticker idea: “IT’s THE PITCHING, STUPID”
This is the Captain checking in.
Howdy Cap’n!
Love the avatar.
Good to see you again Brandecita
Will check in as I can.
This is the first time this season that Russell Martin will have played six straight behind the plate. He has 7 hits in 18 at bats. Like Cutch, he’s tough!
Tomorrow is the Clay Bird Shoot at Seven Springs.
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McCutch figured since he was required by Management to be at 7 Springs tomorrow, he might as well play today!
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Tomorrow day off ONLY from baseball.
Hoka Hey!
With 36 games left I called for the Pirates to go 24 — 12 against the very teams ahead of them to win the Central Division.
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This far they have gone 4 — 2 against Braves, Brewers, and Cards——exactly on pace.
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20 — 10 in last 30 gives Bucs Division. Need this one today! Go!
Nice start for Locke
A guy with stuff like Jeff Locke’s can’t be asked to get more than 3 outs in an inning. Recipe for disaster. You gotta make the plays and too often these guys don’t.
Striking out Holliday sure helped
Begging you at this point, Jandy, please, please, to not post so often. That’s nine posts in the past 17 minutes alone. Trust me when I tell you it affects our spam filter, not just for you but for others. Thank you!
Ia thought I was the only one who whined about the poor defense
Milo doesn’t whine
No sir, you’re not.
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5 outs, inning over. Nice job by Locke. All those extra pitches probably means 1 more inning for the bullpen to cover.
Jandy does wine. By the gallon.
4th out given by Ike already!!
Got to make that play Ike!
Question 1: What is FAT Adams doing there, almost getting picked off?
Question 2: Why can’t Ike catch the balls right in his glove?
Wow! Locke getting lots of swings-and-misses in 1st inning.
Smart pitches, all well placed. Especially to Adams. Really out-thought him.
Somewhat rushing Diaz at catcher. I have that feeling Martin will price himself out of the burg. If so, that is a tough one to swallow. The economics are just not conducive to keeping anyone not under control.
I guess I just dont see how the Pirates can’t indeed afford to pay market for Russ. whether they WILL is another story, but the money is there. The low-cost outfield sees to that.
Jandy has been muzzled by DK.
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Andy wishes he could learn to do same!
(NO, He doesn’t!)
She said he talks more than her.
No, she hasn’t been muzzled. She left since she has no common sense and didn’t want to f*k up the chat anymore than Dejan does.
Don’t know if this has been posted. Browns Gordon’s 1 year suspension has been upheld
no surprise there is there? question is not whether gordon can come back to form next year, it is IF he will ever play in NFL again and get his life in order. Sad, wasted talent.
11 pitch inning for Wainwright.
Not trying to be a smart arse, but DK what do you mean by fast?
Like 1 a minute or what?
Lucky said “arse”!
DK: a serious, not snarky question – how much is too much? Is there a time/number ratio, or just common sense?
Common sense would apply. What I know is that rapid-fire, chat-style posting relegates about 5-6 other people’s posts into the spam folder. That’s not fair to those people. And at the same time, it’s a very reasonable safeguard on the site itself against spam. The site is set up for comments, not chats.
Can’t let guys like Descalso on w 2 outs to get the pitcher up in an inning.
here’s an idea for Manfred, replace official scorers with birds that pick the call out of a bag of bird seed. Saves money. And someone will sponsor it.
My grandfather used to call lousy fielders shoemakers. He especially liked using it for Richie Hebner.
Ike’s quite the cobbler.
Mazel Tov !
Russ Martin returns the favor on that DB Pierzynski.
And that SMART Martin play adds a run to Ike’s BOMB off of cocky Wainright. Wake-up call for Ike?
Ike can’t catch anything . . . . .
. . . . . but he sure can hit!
Look at the stat line for the season and get back to me…
Hey There Lonely Boy,
.
Fortunately, Ike did not carry 350 ABs into the box . . . . only one.
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And he did extremely well with that one AB.
Make all the errors you want, Ike! (Btw, thanks DK, I think I can cut down on “chat,” though won’t be easy).
Our lefty hitting 1b have combined for 5 HR since Saturday.
clearly not a….ahem…steroid user
These aren’t the Roids you’re looking for. Move along.
Old Baseball Jedi mind trick.
huh?
People who are on this site will tell you I have a warped sense of humor. This is from Star Wars Episode 6.
Its from episode iv. AKA Star Wars the original. Not 6. AKA Returnof the Jedi.
Meant 4. woops!
I give Neverett credit for a great observation there. He said, “Bob, we’ve seen ABs this year where Locke may as well not even bring the bat to the plate. But, then he gets a hit there.” That is so true. Sometimes, Locke seems generally disinterested in hitting. Not today.
Sometimes we have to step out of our comfort zones in order to get the job done. Good for Locke.
Timmy is getting better, as he weaves in more ‘analysis’ to his montone play -by-play stuff. Last night he remarked that it was ‘way too easy for the relief pitcher Freeman’ in the 7th. I like and encourage more like this from Tim.
BUNT Snider, my call is.
and lunchie shows how it is done. Assist to Wainright.
Scored runner from 3rd & moved a guy to 3rd. Productive out. But, Cutch just missed a slam to break this wide open.
Pirates pitchers at the plate:
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24-234 (.103)
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1 extra base hit / 4 RBI
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Way to go Jeff, make Conway NH proud.
But, we know they’ll probably be more jealous than proud.
Lambo anyone?
Starring Sylvester Stallone.
No, if Lunchie has to DL, then Polanco has to be the first option, even though he was scuffling he is better than any other AAA options. And maybe that trip to AAA will ignite him to get into another gear and work thru the fatigue.
Can Polanco even come up before 9/1? You can’t go down and come right back up, can you?
If there is an injury, the requisite # is days in the minors is waived.
Thanks, Milo.
If they’re sure Snider needs 15 days & they use the DL, Polanco can be recalled. If not, then someone else would have to go to make room for Lambo. They could just try to slide by through the weekend when the rosters expand. But Cutch’s situation complicates that.
I think there is a 10 day rule – Polanco has to stay 10 days if I am right.
Not if you put someone on the DL.
Anyone else thinking that inning may come back to haunt us? I sure hope not. I can’t imagine a team performing worse with bases loaded and no outs than the Bucs this year. They just don’t get that big hit often.
i know the rule is to focus on the negative and what didn’t happen, but:
1) how good was Cutch there, obviously ailing, to get that ball deep enough to score a slow Locke from 3b AND advance JHay to 3b.
2) Wainright is very very good and he pitched Neil and Russ beautifully.
The Bucs have struggled in those situations, but still … NL scoring: 1) Colorado 610, 2) Milwaukee 570, 3) Pgh 560, 4) Wash 559. Wash has played one less game, so technically they score more per game.
Possibly. You have to take care of business when the opportunities present themselves.
Have to say it, my updated standings of MLB players I can’t stand is:
1. Gomez
2. Braun
3. Pierzynski
4. Matt Carpenter
Carpenter is beyond annoying with his glacial pace in every at bat.
That’s a great list!
Jeff Locke = Randy Tomlin
JHay = MVP
Those who expect JHay to regress will have to wait for him to reach his apogee. Wow, what a fine player to watch.
Definitely have a gem in one Josh Harrison.
Should I put the game on or continue to watch the Every Simpsons Ever marathon on FXX? Decisions, decisions…
Are you at work & therefore the game would bu muted ?
I am at work, but that doesn’t mean I want the torture.
Hey Gang – Busy today at work, but just checking in for a second: What happened to Travis and the “leg injury”?
Came up lame after hustling to 1st on a sac bunt that ended up a basehit.
Thanks, Osh.
A good barometer for a guy’s effectiveness with the bases loaded is if he has more RBI’s than times at bat.
A quick 6th and maybe Bucs can get 7 from Locke.
Greg Brown saying Watson won’t be available today. Ridiculous. He pitched once in 9 days.
Then they both agreed that given the importance of this game “all bets are off.”
Not criticizing the announcers Horse. I’m criticizing Hurdle if this is indeed the case.
He’s pitched 5 innings in the last 2 weeks.
Last year, early in the season, when it was so important to break .500 overall, Hurdle was managing the late innings as if they were playoff games, pulling relief pitchers in the middle of innings, etc. I thought he was brilliant. That has changed this year.
Wanna keep him fresh for the playoffs!
I have kept the sound down on the games since the hockey interview
I said after last night’s game that I assumed he would not be available today. I was being facetious. I think GB was serious. Tomorrow is an off day. All hands on deck today.
What a ballgame! Taking extra long lunch. Hope it’s over before my kids school open house this afternoon. Feels like a playoff game.
Been a great series indeed w/the Red Birds.
I bet Locke starts the 8th…
Can’t argue/complain about the starters this 3 game set. Frankie, Gerrit and Jeff all looked really good.
cutch looks miserable
C’mon Ike!
Maybe time for Mr Locke to take a shower?
Great effort by the pride of North Conway, NH.
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Now, any chance the bullpen actually does it’s job for a change ?
It’s 50/50.
Isn’t everything 50/50 ?
Locke exits to nice standing ovation. If ever there was a game for the bullpen to hold onto, this one be it.
Brad Ziegler has blown the most saves in the NL with 8. Tony Watson is 2nd with 7.
Tied with Bryan Morris. It all comes back.
Watson has second most blown saves????
Is that counting when he’s not allowed to pitch?
Watson is in?
Tony Watson can’t be pitching: Greg Brown said he would not pitch!
Now it’s fair to criticize the announcer.
Whew
These 2 run leads have been pretty fragile.
Oshkosh b’Gosh is right!
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This feels like a Playoff game!!!
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One more out!
Thank you all for keeping me caught up.
That game was hard.
Baseball is hard!
2 out of 3 from both the Brewers and the Cardinals. Not too shabby at all.
Shame we couldn’t have held on Monday. But I’ll take the 2 of 3.
Kentuck Knob,
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Left you a message on previous thread.
I know, Lucky. I felt like we were the better team each day. 2 of 3 doesn’t put much immediate pressure on Milwaukee, but it does pressure the Giants, Cards and Braves – our closest competition right now.
Got it, Groaty. Thanks! The music was an especially nice touch.
Kentuck Knob,
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Even at work, you are the man given 5 talents, not the man given one.
.
I know that’s how you live your life.
Raise the Jolly Jandy!!
Fly Jandy Fly!
The Cardinals only scored in 3 innings out of 27 this series, one in each game. That’s playoff-caliber pitching. Let’s see if the Pirates can keep that up for awhile.
Absoluetly, Tom. Well said.
Beautiful win. 4 out of 6 from the division foes…nice! Now, let’s take all three from the Reds. They are 10 back. That would be the final nail in their coffin.
You know Jeff Locke had to be pumped to be starting against Wainwright, the man who took game 5 of the NLDS from the Pirates last October. And he pitched to perfection. Along with Ike Davis who did it again with his bat. As he said after the game, “This is a good team. “
WOW! So THIS is how it’s going to be!
Ahead of pace to finish season 24 — 12.
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5 — 2 against Braves, Brewers, Cards.
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Just need to now go 19 —10———aiming at Central Division title!
Sorry, Groat, to question your numbers, but in the three series against the Braves, Brewers and Cardinals, the Buccos are 5-4. We lost that three game series to Atlanta 1-2.
WH, your numbers are right, too, but Groat started with the last game of the Atlanta series when there were 36 games left. You took into account the entire Atlanta series.
With 36 games to go, I declared that if Bucs went 24 — 12, even coming off losing streak, they would/could win division.
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That declaration was with only 1 Brave game left. You must of missed my “declaration.” I have updated periodically from that 36-game left point.
Sorry, I missed your starting point. What we really need is a 7-game winning streak to offset the losing one.
Pirate starting pitching last 6…
37.1 innings, 11 earned runs
Can’t ask for much more than that.
A sweep of the Reds would be great…
Then we get to repeat the last two days starters Monday and Tuesday in St Louis.
Should be a great week – I hope !
Glad CH inserted Watson in the 8th. It was the right move. Also, Melancon in 2 yrs as a Buc: 126.1 inn., 102 hits, 3 HR, 17 BB, 112 K, 0.94 WHIP. Great #’s across the board. It doesn’t get much better. No reliever is perfect, but these 2 are terrific. Wish we had more.
Why . . . . it’s almost if . . . . .
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. . . . . Clint Hurdle knows what he is doing!
Nah . . .
Jeff Locke accepted my pre-game challenge (even though he didn’t know I issued it, doesn’t care that I issued it, and has no idea who I am!).
7+ innings of 1 run baseball. Way to go, Jeff. We had to have this game.
Pitching is 75% of the game if you have it and 100% of the game if you don’t. Right now, the Pirates have it.
Cards miss Molina for sure. Not sure when he is back, but Cards are not nearly the same team as last year. so much for the best org in baseball.
Molina is in Minors right now on rehab.
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He will be playing when Bucs next face Cards in St. Louie.
Well, Chet … They are 10 games over .500 in a BAD year. I don’t like them, but they have my respect for sustained success.
Always a spirited discussion during the “after show.” But, it’s a lot more pleasant when the Bucs just won.
Going to Friday’s game with 34 of my closest friends from the Church I go to. Sitting behind Pirate dugout.
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I’ll be the quiet controlled sedate one, with a ball glove on each hand.
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Nice to go with Pirates rolling toward 1st Place!!
Enjoy, Groat! Wish I were in town to see this weekend series. I have a feeling the Bucs are going to put it on Cincy.
I haven’t publicly said this much in my adult life, but I’m proud to be a Pittsburgh Pirates fan.
++++++++
Oshie—Lizzy Kaplan wuz robbed!
I have a column coming on Russell Martin. It’ll be up around 6 p.m. I don’t think you’ll want to miss it.
*fingers crossed* – we SIGNED him!?!? (or we will sign him?)
Dejan,
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I know you were working on a Steelers piece.
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Thanks for the extra baseball focus the last two days. We have “Pennant Fever”!!!
What the Bucs really need, and it is something that has alluded them this year … is a long winning streak. We are at 2 right now. Take it to about 7, then make it something like 12 of 15, and we have a pretty good shot at the Groat declaration.
Nice win.
Want to see real leadership. Cutch can’t turn on anything. Everytime he moves, or swings or throws he is in pain ( not that you do any of those things inn baseball.)
Yet his out there every day,
Leadership
Per Travis, Cutch post-game: “I know my 80% is better than most people’s.”
In light of the best org in baseball, this has not been a year that the cards have showed some holes. Bad run differential and if Cutch is healthy, Walker stays healthy, Pedro doesn’t crap out and pitching losses like Tallion don’t happen, the Bucs are a tough out.