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Final: Pirates 6, Phillies 4 185
DEJAN KOVACEVIC, DK ON PITTSBURGH SPORTS Getting ready for the first pitch … Game: Pirates (74-68) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (66-76), 7:05 p.m., Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia Pitchers: LHP Jeff Locke (6-4, 3.75) vs. RHP Kyle Kendrick (8-11, 4.77) TV, radio: Root Sports, 93.7 The Fan Online: Live box score / Multimedia / Official media notes
Pirates Lineup:
1. Starling Marte (R) LF
2. Travis Snider (L) RF
3. Andrew McCutchen (R) CF
4. Neil Walker (S) 2B
5. Russell Martin (R) C
6. Ike Davis (L) 1B
7. Jordy Mercer (R) SS
8. Brent Morel (R) 3B
9. Jeff Locke (L) P
Thanks as usual, JAL
welcome
Phillies Lineup:
1. Ben Revere (L) CF
2. Jimmy Rollins (S) SS
3. Chase Utley (L) 2B
4. Ryan Howard (L) 1B
5. Marlon Byrd (R) RF
6. Darin Ruf (R) LF
7. Carlos Ruiz (R) C
8. Maikel Franco (R) 3B
9. Kyle Kendrick (R) P
All office pool participants who selected Brett Morel and Maikel Franco to be starting at third base for their respective teams on September 8, please raise your hand.
Morel actually hit 3 balls hard yesterday, including an almost HR to CF. Fingers crossed that he can get hot for a few days until JHay returns.
On further review, maybe I should downvote myself for that. Brent Morel hitting 3 balls hard yesterday and getting a hit probably represents a 1-game hot streak already. Continuing it is probably asking too much.
there are no other serious options to play at 3b, so Morel it is until JHay is back. Which we hope is in a hurry.
NO JHay = no sunshine (and for a change here in AZ there is indeed no sun today, about 4 inches of rain (record of ALL TIME). But today’s key is Locke (sorry for the pun). He needs to get it together and a W will require 6 decent innings.
I sure hope so, cmat. But, based on recent performances, I don’t have a lot of faith in Locke right now. However, Kendrick can be touched up.
Brent Morel now batting .129 for Bucs.
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In 17 games for Pirates has 1 extra base hit.
Add to that, below average range at 3rd base.
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Thanks for helping Buccos “drive to the Pennant,” BMTIB.
Present day Bucs always the priority, right?!
My head just blew off when I saw him in the lineup again.
Attention, DKonpittsburghsports nation: Karen’s head went AWOL. If you see it roll by your feet, she would like it back before 7 p.m. Eastern time tonight.
Why not Barmes at 3rd?? D’Arnaud?? ME (hey, I was good)?? I mean, SERIOUSLY!? I can’t believe we have a position player in the lineup (on the TEAM, even) on Sept. 8th, in a pennant race, who’s batting a freakin’ HUNDRED! ONE hundred! What a JOKE, Hurdle!
Karen, deep breaths, it will be ok. D’Arnaud is not a serious option, he hasn’t even played infield in the minors all year. As to Barmes, not sure how much 3b he has played either and not sure his bat is any better than Morel’s.
Barmes has played all of the infield positions, Chris…I just can’t fathom that ONE-ANYTHING BA at this point. It’s just nuts. But thanks for looking out for my well-being!
Any word at all on Joshie? I’m getting worried now.
Per Hurdle (and Travis Sawchik) JHay is available to pinch hit. No ETA yet for his return to the lineup.
OK, thanks. That’s at least promising.
Does Travis still write and report?
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That newspaper is dead to me since they went to Facebook-required comments and Dejan left.
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I cut off my mail subscription.
I love you, Groat. Have I told you that lately?
Locke needs to prove he can win in September.
All things considered, this could be one of the toughest games for the Pirates to win this season. Got one yesterday, but a rookie opposing lineup and a solid pitching performance and a BP pitcher to practice on. Today????
I’m hoping Kendrick pitches to his 4.77 ERA tonight, Patrick. But, I don’t think we’ll get the BP Wood was serving up yesterday, unfortunately. Locke needs to give us 6 innings of 2 run pitching.
I’d like to see Hurdle use Cole as a PH more often. As ridiculous as it may sound, he’s a gamer, it will get the team on its feet, and he’s a better hitter than Morel, Barmes….
With 20 games left, Pirates magic number to win the second wild card is 20 (vs. ATL and MIL). To host the wild card game it is 24 (vs. SF). To win the division, it is 25 (vs. STL).
There are two MLB 2nd baseman who have hit at least 20 doubles and 10 HR in each of the last 5 seasons. Not too difficult to figure out. Anyone want to guess?
Walker and Walker?
One of them is correct, Lucky.
That Canoe guy who paddles out for the Mariners and hometown Walker.
That would be correct, Groat. Small list. Utley hasn’t stayed healthy.
Greg Smith, ASS’t General Manager, just said on radio interview with Rock that there was too much “Dynamic Interest” for Pirates to make any moves at deadline.
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Funny that “Dynamic Interest” didn’t stop other teams from making moves.
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Therefore, Bucs start .129 Morel tonight!!
What the heck is that supposed to mean??
Tough break for Snider there. That ball was hammered.
20 games left——4 back in loss column behind 1st Place.
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15-5 gets Bucs the division.
14-6 ties us with Cards.
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Place Tug McGraw quote here!
Tug McGraw quote? “Some day my son will be a huge Country & Western star.”
“Someday my son will go to bed every night with Faith Hill!”
His main goal in life must be to “keep the Faith.”
Jeff Locke has a better average than Morel. That is all.
Kendrick is fooling NOBODY in first 4 batters.
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Just as I type that Walker takes strike 3. (Ugh)
2 warning track balls for 2 outs. Kendrick was fortunate to escape trouble. We’ll get him if that keeps up.
Pirate pitchers and defense can help Harrison or McCutch win the Batting Title by holding down Revere.
Good Locke tonite? No tv here
So far, he looks great. Great control & throwing hard.
Very good Locke.
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3 Ks in first 6 batters and impeccable control. 25 pitches to 1st 6 batters w/ 3 Ks.
His main goal in life must be to “keep the Faith.”
Don’t know why that was duplicated.
Dear Faith Hill,
I am available and I can sing just as well as Tugger’s son. (At least I can’t sing any worse!)
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Signed——Groat2Maz2Strangeglove . . . . or, whatever you want my name to be!!
Really needed Travis to move that runner. Should be 1-0.
What are we, 0-7 w RISP already? Let him off the hook 3 straight innings.
Awful situational baseball. A continuous struggle…
Walker not protecting on 2 strikes with RISP. Irrationally poor situational hitting.
Another 3 pitch K. Now a grounder in 2 pitches.
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Methinks Robin must be inspired by Batman!
9 up———9 down.
36 pitches.
With Morel and Snider in the lineup, Kendrick’s has two certain outs!!!!
Throw in Locke & Ike and you may have a problem. Of course cannot lose if Locke never gives up a hit!
Oops.
How could I forget those two sluggers??? Ike Davis is an absolute joke.
Go Jeff go
Maybe Philly will win 1-0 without really ever hitting a ball hard.
Scratch that thought. Byrd hit it real hard.
Jeff Locke is pitching. They’ll hit plenty of balls hard.
Think that is what the Pirate want – pitch to contact – problem is you need a decent defense behind you….
Ready for the down votes – Locke should be in the dug out – Walker is not a major league 2nd baseman
see you in a week
I hear you about his fielding, LL. But, where would you put him? He’s a productive hitter – probably the most productive at 2b in the NL.
how about 1b?
1b is a possibility, cmat. But, then the offense is not so great. You can live with some defensive deficiency at 2b, I think, if a guy hits .275 with 20 bombs. It’s a good argument, though.
I think he fits at either corner. My guess is that Jay Hay could be OK at 3rd but really a plus defender at 2nd. So a Walker-Mercer-Harrison-Pedro/Bell defense coming out of spring training next year would be a lot better defensively than what they are working with now.
Gonna be at least another yr waiting on Bell, I think, LL. He just got to AA. But, it is looking more and more like he’s the future at 1b.
Hey There Lonely Boy,
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You’re at the wrong place———the Phillies blog is at another site.
Bet I have way better fan credentials than you Groaty-comments are great-personal attacks form you and AW are not what will make this site a success.
Grow up and move on
Fan credentials? Hmmmm . . . interesting.
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That entitle you to buy a ticket in any ballpark in the U.S.?
Real. Big. Spot. Here.
Yes. Agree. Can’t. Give. Up. Two. Out. Hits. With. Two. RISPs. Good for Jeff to keep it 1-0.
Oh lovely, there’s the Jeff Locke I remember. The one who only looks good via smoke and mirrors…
Phillies scored but only hard hit ball was by Marlon Byrd.
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Don’t know what Byrd will do next season but Phils certainly got their money’s worth this year.
Problem is he is due another big chunk next year and the year after…and this team simply MUST get younger pronto. He is a good guy and a good player, but that is not the roster he needs to be on.
You still need to bunt that 3-1 pitch, Jeff. Ridiculous.
The last few years, my job has afforded me the chance to accompany clients to the Masters practice rounds. Phil Mickelson, who has played tons of rounds there, has a drill where he putts to his caddy. He must roll 50 putts in a row that are within the grip (from about 50 feet)…
If any putt in the meantime is outside of that, he starts over. Putts until he can get 50 in a row. Me thinks next Spring Training Pirates pitchers need to do the same with bunting. Some may be there for several DAYS, but so be it.
Marte may Partay his way to a cycle tonight.
his 2nd half emergence is a BIG BIG STORY for this club…and bodes very very well for the future. the player that was clueless at the plate seems so far away now….and SO GLAD FOR THAT.
Really stepping up. Looks great and just smacks the ball a high percentage of the time.
Up to .280
I agree, Patrick. He always has a high batting avg on balls in play – partly from his speed, but also because he hits mostly everything hard. He does not pop up often. If he can keep getting better at plate discipline, I really think he’s a monster in the making.
A Partay Monster.
Cousin Partay is retired…on you mean marte…carry on…
Single, double, homerun for Marte alrready. Nice shot!
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According to Lonely Boy, Marte should probably be in bullpen, replacing Justin Wilson.
Demasco Marte?
If the Marte of the 2nd half is the new Marte – one where he lays off the low outside, off-speed stuff (big if, I know!) – then we are looking at one of the better hitters in the league.
There u go again-what is it the u & A– W— have up your butt. I was one who defended Marte in the early part of the year when a lot of folks here & elsewhere wanted to sent him down to Indy to teach him a lesson-change his “attitude”. Let’s stick to content & drop the attacks
I live to attack you, Lonely Boy, and Walker Hater.
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Isn’t that what Libertarians believe anyway———that everyone is out to get them?
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I think your sense of humor went on vacation a few days ahead of you.
When you say Lonely Boy it makes me think of Bobby Vinton. Canonsburg’s own.
Canonsburg named the block-long street that runs to Mickey D’s Bobby Vinton Way.
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Still trying to determine if that is a compliment!
But you get it wrong-I am not a Walker hater-I have at least a half dozen NW shirts- hats- bats & such-more than any other Pirate-GI Jones is 2nd-Marte 3rd-Cutch 4th-Martin 5th-AJ 6th.
But that does not make NW a good second baseman. Get a life-grow up & comment on the game
Everything in that town should be named for Perry Como. Or Sarris Candy.
Milo,
I was off on my voluntary suspension – but Cannonsburg is owned by the Barber – Perry Como. Bobby V was a great 2 – but just that #2
Hey There Lonely Boy,
Dude, quit taking every little comment personal!
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You are no fun to banter with, because you do not banter——you take every little thing personal.
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You aren’t kidding about being Libertarian! Chill and enjoy!
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And you’re WRONG: there aren’t 3 NL 2B bette
On the scoreboard:
Braves trail Nats 1-0, bottom 6 (their offense reaks).
Cards – Reds scoreless through 5.
Marlins 3-2 over Brewers top 2.
Come on, Reds!!!
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The others are just white noise, since Pirates play them head-to-head.
Unless the bucs play well enough over the next six. At the time the bucs play the brewers the brewers could be way out of it. The braves on the other hand every night the braves lose and the bucs win is bigm like to get some distance between us and them before that 4 gamer.
Megatron or Bucs game…tough call….
Monster mentioned and you’re right on cue, HM.
Ha…i just saw that above.
WHY CAN’T THE PIRATES BUNT THE DA_ N BALL????
I want Gregory Polanco in the lineup. OK, back to the game.
Ike Davis with another great at bat. Maybe Gaby should play everyday???
Pirates have 4 1st basemen on their roster, 3 lefties.
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And one 3rd baseman batting .148 after his anti-line drive hit tonight.
Remember 1981 ? Jason Thompson, Bill Robinson, Willie Stargell, John Milner, Gary Alexander, Willie Montanez.
Made me smile recalling that.
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But Gary Alexander doesn’t count, because he could not catch ANYTHING!
And I would add Doe Boyland (the next Willie Stargell) but I don’t believe he had a position.
Don’t know about his range, but the mushroom can sure pick em.
The mushrooom — love it, Patrick!
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Hope you coined it. Wouldn’t want to unjustfiably shower you with credit.
I may have been first?
Wait — that sounds very noncommittal.
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Ah, WTH, here’s a big upvote coming atcha anyway.
Thanks, DJ — high praise from the person with the cleverest avatar on the blog.
Eerie snowman is a classic.
Lots of smoke, very little mirrors in the 7th. Great game.
Milo,
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Years ago, Perry Como’s nephew Perry Como was my barber.
What a coincidence. Your former barber’s uncle was my Grandma’s favorite singer.
Cards up 2-0. Now for the good news. Marlins lead Brewers 6-2 in the 4th. Nats gave up a run, but still lead ATL in DC 2-1 in the bottom of 8.
Bucs have a lot of guys w double-digit HRs. I count Ike, Pedro, Neil, Jordy, Lunchie, Cutch, JHay, Starling. Did Russ make it? Gaby’s close. Cole may yet make a run!
Brent Morel just got to make his first “Z” of the year!!!!!!
Who?
The Mushroom picker comes through.
Ryne Sandberg keeps proving how good a manager Charlie Manuel really was!
Amen to that.
Sandberg is managing the phillies now? Philly hired a life long cub..perfect.
He is an original Phillie.
Yes, six ABs in 1981. One for every Bucs run tonight.
have a gut feeling Ryne is ‘one and done’ as manager. new GM cleans house. we’ll see, but put me down for that.
Our equipment guy FINALLY located our hitting shoes.
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They were hidden in A.J.’s locker under a sweaty Free Shirt Fridays Cutch t-shirt.
Drew Storen is in to close for the Nats. Soriano has been deposed.
And gets it done. 2-1 Nats beat Atlanta.
Jeff Locke was terrific tonight!!!! Boy, did Bucs need that in first game of series!
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Now he retires to dugout where he belongs.
yes. nice surprise of an outing from Locke. Good command, good control, killer instinct. Nice outing. AND, I agree with pulling him there, though it didn’t work out. Can’t leave Jeff out there too long….
Down goes Atl.
one of the two or three worst offenses in the NL. just dont think they have enough pitching to overcome that.
John Holdzcom may have the biggest forehead in Major League baseball.
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You could show drive-in movies there.
He should be warming up.
Philly announcers cannot believe Pirates removed Locke from the game.
Way to go Hurdle–keep playing by your stupid book!!!
Please tell me the pen won’t blow this.
Tony, WTH?
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The DK Showdown curse.
Tony must be looking for the W tonight.
Know what Kenny Rogers just said to Clint Hurdle?
Gotta know when to Holdzkum.
Thx for teeing ‘er up.
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Promised I would beat that to death.
Brilliant!
Thx. Like 3rd or 4th time used it on blog since he came up.
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Beat + horse = dead.
Try a gastric bypass, it works wonders? (sorry…..)
You’ve got to be kidding, Watson. How do you hit him there?
This bullpen stinks.
Braves lose, brewers losing. Cards winning.
Inning over if Mercer does not commit hi 11th error.
Not a bad # for a SS almost 90% of the way through the season.
The TOP of the 8th was masterful… Walker textbook pull the ball with runner on 2nd no outs, Martin with great hit and run… Gaby with easy sac fly… Mercer and Morel added on with crisp RBI doubles… a beauty.
The bottom of the 8th was um, not-so-much.
This needs to be drama-free.
Strike 3. Sheesh!
WTF WAS THAT PITCH????????????????????? UNBELIEVABLE CALL. RIDICULOUS.
you know how hitters in a slump just look lost at the plate? that’s the game his home plate umpire has had. Just lunging and hoping on every close call.
I think Morel has earned his spot as #31 on the roster. Solid game from him.
Can we all agree that even though Morel is a AAAA player, he’s been huge tonight – hitting and fielding?
Yep
I will even admit that! And I was very mean to him way up at the top of this thread.
This third baseman grows on you.
Well played, Patrick!!
He does, Patrick. He does.
Yeah, Patrick, a fungi to be with.
Philly announcers–Tom McCarthy and Jamie Moyer are a pleasure to listen to rather than blabber mouths Brown and Walk.
Amaro must not know Moyer is in the building or he’d be on the mound. Even at 50 y/o.
ha-ha–great one.
RAISE IT. #1 Locke. #2 Marte. #3 Morel, seriously.
Brent Morel dedicates tonight’s terrific effort to all those who mercilessly dumped on him these past few weeks.
Jim S and CMat are notably excepted from my sarcasm for their open-minded comments on him before he took off today.
Thanks, Ghost! The guy can pick it at 3b. And he makes effortless throws. I think we can all appreciate that after what we saw for 100+ games.
How true, Jim. Was able to see the Cubs game yesterday and thought he made a nifty throw or two across the diamond. And not to belabor Pedro’s woes (as he’s thankfully a 1st baseman now ) but I did notice that in 70 innings this year, Morel has not made a single error.
The Bucs’ ace, Edinson Volquez (pause for effect), goes tomorrow to try to push the Bucs winning streak to 5 for the first time this year. What a season EV has had.
Didn’t think you’d be saying that with a straight face in Sept, did you? He’s been our savior in the rotation this yr. Everybody else has missed time and struggled at times.
Gotta watch the end of this Marlins-Brewers tilt now. Need to go 2 up in the loss column on both of these teams.
Final – Marlins 6 Brewers 4.
I read some crazy stat about Kershaw tonight. He has had a 1.76 ERA for his last 68 starts. Sandy Koufax had a 1.78 ERA for the best 68 game run of his career. I guess we already knew Kershaw was good. But, that good? Oh my!
BTW, we need to be pulling for LAD to win that division. We do not want to face Kershaw in a 1-game face off at Chavez Ravine.
Was Koufax last guy to put back to back sub 2.00 ERA seasons together? It’s something special watching Kershaw these last two years. (Pedro Martinez had stretch of 4 years when he went 1.90, 2.89, 2.07 and 1.74. Gibson was 2.18 the year after his standard-setting 1.12 in ’68.)
I don’t know, Ghost. Good question. What Pedro did, giving the offensive climate when he was pitching, might be the most remarkable several year run in MLB history.
that was a great combination of Vin Scully and Dick Enberg…nicely done.