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On location: Pirates 4, Brewers 2 153
DEJAN KOVACEVIC, DK ON PITTSBURGH SPORTS Getting ready for the first pitch … Game: Pirates (82-70) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (79-74), 7:05 p.m., PNC Park Pitchers: LHP Jeff Locke (7-5, 3.66) vs. RHP Yovani Gallardo (8-10, 3.59) TV, radio: Root Sports, 93.7 The Fan Online: Live box score / Multimedia / Official media notes
Pirates
3B: Josh Harrison
LF: Starling Marte
CF: Andrew McCutchen
2B: Neil Walker
C: Russell Martin
RF: Travis Snider
1B: Gaby Sanchez
SS: Jordy Mercer
SP: Jeff Locke
Biggest weekend of the year (so far). Let’s go Bucs.
HERE WE GO, LOONIES!! TEN…
This 1st one’s a Locke.
Headed to the yard on a beautiful night. Time to undo the crew.
Son will be there tonight, Radio…You all bring home a WIN, eh?!
LETS GO BUCS. FIRST games of series are always the most important, tonight’s is HUGE. WIN and the Brewers tap has run dry.
Not sure where is best to comment on Goodell, but I’ll say this. The NFL — and notably, embarrassingly Goodell– have no soul. Contrast that defensive, informationless performance with Adam Silver’s presser on the Sterling issue. Night and day.
Go Bucs.
If they can somehow win the division over these final 10 games and get out of the one game playoff, October could be real interesting.
#DK3Commishes 3. MLB 2. NBA 1. anyone but NFL
Last night marked the first time in seven games the Bucs did NOT hit multiple home runs. But if they hit a dinger tonight, that still makes eight straight. Except for Sanchez, oh the possibilities with this lineup. I’m feeling Harrison and Cutch both going deep, tonight.
Just found my Sports Illustrated from 3 weeks ago with Andrew McCutchen on the cover. Obviously, the three other people in my house who bring in the mail don’t share my priorities.
Rough start tonight. We’ll spot them 1…
Inning should be over – no runs scored – the bad defense Bucs are back – hopefully for just one inning…
definitely neil should have made the play on Braun, but hard to call that bad defense per se. Would’ve been a great play by Marte….
Brewers sure are getting their swings off on Locke. that pitch to Lucroy was AWFUL. Changeup flat and up in zone, lucky it is just 1-0.
Cannot count on Jeff Locke– did we not learn this last year??
Nice Andrew!!
When did Weeks get so … portly?
Sitting on the bench.
ARRRRR! Today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day! (Really) Avast, ye scurvy Brewer bilge rats as we make ye walk the plank!
Interesting….
Second Half WARs for all Bucs with 100+ Pas
J-Hay-2.9
Martin-2.5
Marte-2.4
Walker-1.7
Mercer-1.6
Snider-1.1
Cutch-0.8
Davis-0.2
Sanchez-0.1
Polanco- -0.1
J-Hay, Martin & Marte are 2, 3 & 4 in the NL behind Posey.
Nice effort by Snider. Bad.
LOVE IT. First the A-hole Gomez gets sniped by Russ; then that loser Braun grounds out to JHay. LETS GET SOME RUNS
If you were pitching for the Pirates, who would you want them to hit the balls to?
Left side – Mercer or J-Hay are a lot better options than Walker and whomever is stationed at first…
Brewers continue their hacking… Locke keeping them on the ground… time for some runs!!!
Nice bounce back by Locke. Through 4 on 43 pitches.
Time to bring the man home at 3rd.
Despite their best efforts, we can’t get a run across.
C’mon Buccos!
crap
This is getting FRUSTRATING!!
I hate the Brewers. Why can this team not figure them out?
Wow…just feeling blah about this game. I know…it’s nine innings and patience, but, just have blah feeling. (:
I remember when Weeks was a young player with power, the Brewer announcer (a former catcher) used to be amazed that anyone would throw him an inside pitch.
They MUST score some runs this inning!
Totally agree, Jandy. Top of the lineup.
and they’re not getting it done :/
Begger cant be choosers but really wanted the k there.
I know getting deep into the count is part of the pirates approach but taking strike one is not working. Gallardo knows strike one is his for the taking.
Ike Marte goes down again.
I never question the integrity of an umpire…their eye sight, yes—– Leo Durocher
Suppose Joe West is displaying a post Papplebon syndrome? Somebody needs to grab their crotch.
OK I’m stepping away for a bit. Usually when I do that I miss something good. Hope it works…later!
THANKS, Jandy! What a good luck charm! Now stay away from here till we sweep the Brauns!
Gallardo pitching well, varying speeds.
Credit where it’s due, Bill. The guy is their stopper thus far tonight.
All it takes is one big inning. Brewers have been choking lately. Hang in there Bucco fans.
Credit where credits due… Locke pitched VERY WELL tonight. I’m not a Locke believer down the stretch but he did plenty well. NEED SOME RUNS…
Gallardo over 100 pitches. Time to get to him.
Time for Ike to take three strikes.
A probably irrelevant factoid: Tony Sanchez is 1 for 3 against Galliado — a home run.
Cards and Brewers pitch us with much more off speed pitches, throwing fastballs out of the zone.
Pirates choke against the Cards and Brewers, time to realize this guy is not the right handed Sandy Koufax.
Gallardo was SHARP tonight. Every pitch seemed like it was down and on the edges. Brutally good game by him. Credit where credit is due.
I actually don’t mind having our 2, 3 and 4 guys face their bullpen.
My happiest vision of 2015 season is of the Brewers stuck with Broxton and his salary.
not to mention the $$ they’ll need to spend on clubhouse food.
Time for Heath Bell…errrr Jon Broxton…. bang him around Bucs…. and grounds crew, fortify the mound please.
This game is an immense bore.
tie goes to the runner. and yes, gallardo has taken the air out of the balloon. But Broxton might just blow it back up.
From home, too, DK.
It sure WAS! SIGN RUSSELL MARTIN!!!!
wow jonny ran pretty fast there, must have thought it was donut night at first base. Ok, 3 fat jokes and I’m out.
Come on fans…make some noise!
cutch sure was going for the tie on that swing… LETS GO CUTCH!!
NOT BORING NO MORE DK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CANNON BALL COMING>>>>>> BROXTON IMPLODES AGAIN>>>>>>> GET MARK READY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
on and re-sign Russ already Nutting!!!
SIGN. RUSSELL. MARTIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!!!
Just another ho hum 8th.
Hero!!!!
Oh man, was that clutch by Russ!
Way to go RUSS!!!!
Two bloops and a blast. C’mon Melancon.
Hey Bob Nutting….Sign Martin before the night is over. Before he leaves the park tonight.
HEY HEY and DITTO on THAT!!!
WOW!
whos bigger in big games than Russell Mar-tan? Wild card and now perhaps the 2nd largest roar at PNC with this go-ahead Brewer dagger. Man, oh man… what a sweet season for #55.
Best hit in baseball is a three run homer. – Earl Weaver.
Give credit also to Marte and his speed…. and Neil for the atoning other-way single setting the stage.
So, I’m checking in late tonight. Anything good going on yet?
nah just a boring game. #Broxtonissignedfor2015toothegiftkeepsongiving
Nothing at all Jim.
Thanks, Lad. Didn’t think so. I’ll go back to watching the Goodell press conference for the 3rd time.
Myself, I was taking in the Shark vs Dyson infomercial…
WOW! Can’t wait to get to the balllyard tomorrow! Let’s close em out. Way to go 55!
In section 119. This place is rocking. Sign Ru$$!
Nutting is going to have to open the wall safe in his office … the one with the ski lift money … and pay this man.
every time someone mentions Nutting I picture a Simpsons Mr Burns’ caricature.
not getting ahead of ourselves, but the WIN, his major league first, would go to Holdzkom. #thisstuffwritesitselfehDK?
I’d like a few more, Ike.
Ask and ye shall receive. ARRRR
Joe West discriminates against the inside corner. Big time. #callGloriaAllredItsDiscrimination
Very nice…. that insurance run brought to you by State Farm. You are in good hands, with Ike Davis. 4-2 good guys.
Walk is certainly right – a key hit for Ike.
Wow, what a game, I’m starting to believe
BREWERS ARE DONE. TOAST. FINISHED. KAPUT. AND CLASSLESS.
OH IT FEELS SO GOOD TO GET REVENGE.
RAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSE IT. AND PUT A FORK IN THOSE HATED BREWERS. #itsoverMilwaukee
That game might have just clinched things….
two nights in a row, prized pickup Jonny Broxton coughs up 2 run leads in the 8th inning, in crucial games. Love it.
#trysomeoneelsetomorrowmaybe?
He’ll get many more opportunities to keep up the good work next year.
Raise it!! Great win. Boring my butt!
An electric finish to save Dejan from boredom.
Maybe PNC can become Milwaukee’s own personal #HouseOfHorrors over the next few years. It would be very fitting, I think. #Re-signRuss
Love that thought, Jim
Magic number is 5 to clinch the second wild card. 88 wins is enough. 5-4 the rest of the way. Still would be nice to win the division.
C’mon, Reds! Dig deep & win tonight & then at least once more in STL.
Sign 55!!!!
As to signing Martin, it CAN be done. Bucs likely biggest issue is year 4 of contract, when Russ is 35 and other payroll gets higher. SIMPLE. Front-load the $$. NO doubt there is $8M or so in the bank to pay the extra in 2015 and 2016. Make the 4th year like $10M and done.
hi Frank.
If ownership doesn’t “see” Martin as a priority after this game, then there’s nothing left to say or do.
Stay in the present…enjoy these games and this team. Each year is different but this team and this year, well, they’re special.
….fear the Bones….
Want to eliminate the Brew Crew. win the series and the Brewers are 4.5 back with with 6 to play.Really would be nice to win the Div, but I will take a game here vs the Giants if the bucs can stay hot.
All the Bucs needed was a fastball pitcher to hit against.
Great observation, Bill.
I stand corrected. I no longer feel blah. Baseball is 27 outs. Been watching this game for 4o plus years…and tonight I learned lesson in patience.
Thank god for johnathan broxton!
Think anybody wants to play the Pirates in a one game playoff?
Just ask the Cincy Reds and Cueto?
There is something special about this team…
Broxton due 8 million next year. Reds may be eating some of that I don’t know. If not, thats a lot of jing for a Ok arm
I don’t believe they are eating any of it, Chet.
They are not. We do know that Broxton is eating though….
One other thing. Russ’ home run was in the air a long time and went out just over the heads of Gomez and Braun. Karma.
Son was at the game…he texted us after he flubbed a foul ball right to him off the bat of Gomez & when the game was NOT going well. TV panned the wild crowd in the 8th and there he was (took a screen shot…LOL!), just before the night turned for the BEST! HAPPY NOW!
Love stories like that, Karen! Special stuff going on at PNC again.
I said that to the hubby tonight – it took all season, but NOW it feels like last year. BELIEVE!
Nice break for the Cards to miss Cueto and Latos this weekend.
They are due to lose a couple, anyhow.
Latos out indefinitely. Bone bruise in elbow.
Thanks, Lad. So, I guess we’ll miss him also.
G’Night All….Sweet Pirate Dreams…
Good night, Tom! We got this.
Leadoff walk by Rosenthal. Maybe he’ll blow another one.
Ok Jay Bruce. Time to do something this year. Rosenthal yanked.
barf. Bruce waived at obvious ball 4, about a foot outside.
Top 9th, Reds runners at 1st and 3rd, one out.
Padres 4-0 lead on the Giants top 2nd.
Bruce up, Cards remove closer Rosenthal for lefty Choate.
Reds have 1st & 3rd with one out in the 9th & Rosenthal is pulled! Wow! Maybe the House of Matheny is developing some cracks. I wouldn’t want to be the Gatorade cooler in the dugout when Rosenthal walks by. Bruce to face LOOGY Randy Choate.
Bruce strikes out on ball 4! Ugh!
Ludwick couldn’t do anything for us when he was here and is still no help. Damn!
DAMN. no help from the putrid Reds. Bruce and Ludwick shoot blanks vs. the bullpen and the fricking Cards just ‘grind out another one’ in nauseating fashion.
I’m telling you, they’re nothing special. They may hang on to win the division, but I think they’re road kill in their first series.
after the goose-bump, lump in the throat finish to tonight’s game, man how am I rooting for the Bucs to catch the Giants and/or Cards so we can have a PNC home playoff game next week. It can happen!!!!
The Cards’ remaining schedule is just too easy. I’ll be happy with a WC spot and go from there.
Reds be Reddin’.
Even when Martin batted .220 or so last year, he was a gamer. This year, he is a Gamer. The guy is just A GAMER. Some will try to be too clever by 1/2 saying “Martin is having a career year. Let someone else overpay for his next 4 years.” Bunk. We need gamers. #55 is a gamer.
Some of us know Russ is such a great defensive catcher and leader, Ghost, that he’s worth resigning even if he only hits like he did last yr. But, when he hits like he has this yr … he’s an MVP candidate.
& somewhat lost in the comeback excitement was the terrific performance tonight by Jeff Locke to give the Bucs a chance at that comeback.
Russ handled a low pitch to peg out a base-stealer, then homered to left center for the win. How much is that worth? Broxton was at SeaWorld when Shamu leapt out of the pool — he barked, Does it come with potatoes? Broxton’s refrigerator has track lighting…
I’ll say this. Russ is opportunistic with his HRs.
.
Cueto last year’s playoffs and Broxton again tonight.
They call that being a Winner. They need to get Martin signed,find out what it takes and do it!
It’s a moot point because it was a great column, but someone tell DK we scored another run. Credit Ike where credit is due. Lord knows, he gets enough flack from us most of the time.