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On location: Brewers 1, Pirates 0 144
DEJAN KOVACEVIC, DK ON PITTSBURGH SPORTS Getting ready for the first pitch … Game: Pirates (83-70) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (79-75), 7:05 p.m., PNC Park Pitchers: RHP Edinson Volquez (12-7, 3.27) vs. RHP Matt Garza (8-8, 3.74) TV, radio: Root Sports, 93.7 The Fan Online: Live box score / Multimedia / Official media notes
Can this one be any more exhilarating than last night? Oh, let’s give it a go! BURY the Brewers!!
Pirates Lineup:
1. Josh Harrison (R) 3B
2. Travis Snider (L) RF
3. Andrew McCutchen (R) CF
4. Neil Walker (S) 2B
5. Russell Martin (R) C
6. Starling Marte (R) LF
7. Ike Davis (L) 1B
8. Jordy Mercer (R) SS
9. Edinson Volquez (R) P
Brewers Lineup:
1. Carlos Gomez (R) CF
2. Scooter Gennett (L) 2B
3. Jonathan Lucroy (R) C
4. Aramis Ramirez (R) 3B
5. Ryan Braun (R) RF
6. Khris Davis (R) LF
7. Lyle Overbay (L) 1B
8. Hector Gomez (R) SS
9. Matt Garza (R) P
Thanks, JAL
A few months ago, someone commented on here that a key Martin hit paid for granite countertops at his new home. I guess last night’s hit paid for the swimming pool, tennis court and putting green, if he is so inclined.
The biggest return on investment is on the time spent in April and May watching this team.
Cmat, re: keeping track of ATL’s elimination number, I agree with you. I only keep track of it because of the upcoming 4 games and the next two with the Brewers which will be competitive. An unlikely set of circumstances keeps the Braves’ hopes alive.
Was just over at bucs dugout. I’d swear you kicked someone’s dog over there DK. Somewhat irrational expectation that you never change an opinion….e.g Russ.
Root for padres so we don’t have to go to sf for the wc game.
socialpolling_verb
Yes, I’d love to see SD win tonight and tomorrow, esp since SF has to play Dodgers in LA Mon > Wed. More to the point, root for the Cuetos vs STL this weekend as the NL Central is by no means out of reach.
Even in the 1st inning it becomes apparent: Russ is the on-field leader of this team (no offense meant towards J-Hay or Cutch, either)
Brewers play the IF in in the 1st inning?!
Whoa; glad the wall is 21 feet high
Overbay’s a bum.
I was thinking,the way that ball came straight down, that Roberto was out there to say no.
Not over my wall
I have bashed the guy, but I have a feeling Ike is going to have a big game tonight
Any truth to the rumor that, in honor of Clint Hurdle, today has been named “walk like a pirate day?”
I hear you. Is there a rule that only the Mgr can come out to challenge a play? Let Clint sit. The man is in a lot of pain.
Reds are folding, 3-0 Cards
OK, Garza is a punk. I want to see Braun go down. Hard.
Why would Garza want to hit him, with 2 outs and a lefty up next?
Just win the game. Hit someone when you get a big lead today or tomorrow. I’m glad that missed him. I’m not a fan of plunking leadoff hitters in tie games.
I know and agree with what you are saying, Jim…but this game is developing an edge to it for sure.
I actually didn’t think he tried to hit Cutch there. I could be wrong, but that’s how I saw it. So, hitting their guy intentionally is just like AZ nailing Cutch & putting him on the DL for no reason.
There will be some more hurt feelings before the night is over….Garza has at least 1 more possibleat-bat left me thinks
The pitch to Braun needed to hit him, not brush him back. Cutch looked pretty pissed that it missed Braun
Is this Homeplate ump trying to keep the game scoreless? That pitch to Marte was 6″ off the plate. Ridiculous. He’s missing a bunch both ways.
Garza has been getting that pitch tonight, but still….
+1
Volquez gets a hit 2.1% of the time.
Got to be fun to pitch for the Pirates.
Yep…Have a good boss in Ray Searage.
Wonder how hard Cutch’s 1st swing will be this inning?
BTW..that is a really nice photo of PNC up top.. Many of the images we see are from inside looking into the city & I have seen and taken from across the bridge. But this is nice of the ballpark from the outside, DK
Oh boy!
Did you see Cole..he wanted a pice of Garza
Good thing he didn’t leave the dugout
Righto, Jandy…He was close to jumping the fence. And as DJ said below…Cole will get his man later on.
oh yeah
Cole will get Garza plus one of their stars . . . I mean semi-stars.
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All in good time.
Well, that should turn this game around
DK: your thoughts?
Snider’s face is more red than usual.
OK so why would Garza want to hit him now…and what was that nifty little touch at the elbow there by Lucroy?
got one word for ya…..
STINKS!
Pirates need to be careful here. They can’t get into a situation where a brawl occurs and there be suspensions.
Garza is pitching a gem. Not sure why he would want to get thrown out of game? Must admit Lucroy’s little tug does look suspect.. Making such a move is close to giving up on the post season.
Garza knew he was gone if he did that.
Hope this ends up being a blowout, ‘cuz I want Braun or Lucroy eating dirt
Blass is right. Garza has to go, whether it was on purpose with a 1-2 count or not. He was pitching very well. He just hurt his team when they need him the most. And, Lucroy’s signal liked very curious.
Sorry. *looked very curious.
Just a G. brown over-reaction.
Yes. He did set up very far inside, but it would be the height of stupidity to hit a guy on purpose there.
Blass has been on his game tonight.
We’re going to hit one out vs Estrada if he stays in long.
After all this, the Pirates still need to figure out a way to win the game. They have scored in 1 of 14 innings so far this series.
The Brewers’ starters have brought their A games so far.
Absolutely.
You really have to stink as a hitter for a positional player to be told you still need to sacrifice with an 0-2 count.
3 straight hard hit balls off this reliever. Only one hit to show for it so far.
And, then there’s JHay. Make it 4 straight & 2 hits. Good move to get him out. Bucs were right on him.
That’s April base running stuff, right there…
I think it was a play by Pirates.
Where’s the lane? Stupid rule, but I’d make them review it.
:sigh:
Tony, c’mon!
Quick atonement. All is forgiven. Tony wants win #11.
Finally, it is the 8th inning.
Please pinch run for Morel here.
Guess who is up 4th this inning. Russell Martin.
Umm … that’s ball 4. But, what the heck. Screw the best hitter in the league and reward the rookie pitcher.
Way to take ball 5, Cutch!
Don’t dare bunt with the cleanup hitter here
Stick a fork in these bums
Matte hasn’t had good at bats today.
This is one of Clint’s best managed games I have watched.
I agree.
Come on Gaby!
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Make me proud I turned the game on as soon as I walked in the door!!!
Or not ………..
Would have liked Marte to wait for one out over plate.
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Inside pitch plays into pitcher’s hands.
Very disappointing plate discipline tonight. Both of the last two batters swung at the first pitch.
…when not being intentionally walked, that is.
Agree on Marte.
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Gotta wait for a pitch you can drive there.
I really wish they would have scored a couple there opening the door for Braun to be plunked here.
Looked like Braun offered on 0-2.
I wonder if the Brewers’ candidate for the Roberto Clemente Award will actually win the award. I don’t like his chances.
A snowball just melted in hell.
Distant cousin of mine.
Plate discipline comes with seasoning.
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Martin is well seasoned.
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Little salt, pepper, paprika + thyme (or time).
Overpay has been energized all night. Nuts!
Really Overbay? Really? CMON!
What a crappy hit. You just never know with baseball. Brewers have hit very few balls hard tonight compared to Bucs. Neither ball this inning has been well struck.
Are you kidding me?
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Overpaid didn’t produce as a Buc, yet he produces against them.
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Unreal.
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Maybe I need to go rake leaves in the dark?
I should have raked the leaves ……….
That is what you do with the bases loaded. Sigh.
Yeesh; not Marte’s best game this year. Horrid throw
That whole inning sucked. Melancon deserved better. 2 scratch hits & a shallow sac fly. BTW, Gomez seems angry all the time about everything. Ok, what’s done is done. Let’s hammer K-Rod!
This is just exhausting. we have seen 40 comebacks…let’s make it one more Boys!
Show a little faith, there’s magic in the night.
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Would take a beauty but two doubles would be alright.
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And that would be alright with me.
Bucs go down near the river.
Channeling your inner Boss, DJ?
Glory days return tomorrow.
tomorrow they’ll be pullin outta here to win…the WC or division title on the road.
We just need one run to take this to extra innings.
I thought that one by Mercer would have hit the wall.
Mercer, Polanco, Harrison. Who wants to be a hero.
crap
& that’s why they play the often frustrating “doubles defense.” Braun does not catch that ball if he’s at normal depth.
Correction: “no doubles defense.”
we didn’t want it bad enough
That’s an odd comment, Jandy. Really?
I hate the Brewers…I just do so much.. I knew the streak could not last, but yes, the Bucs are still in the drivers seat. but just to say one more time…I can’t stand the Brewers.
The brew crew are now 3.5 back.
Why are you all giving me negative votes? I am just stating the facts.
I think it’s probably just that Milwaukee got a game closer, Dom. Just a guess, though. I don’t do up/down .
Bucs miss a HUGE opportunity to stay 2 and 1/2 back of the Redbirds, and an even bigger opportunity to bury the Booers.
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Need to pick it up tomorrow.
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Also, is it me, or can the Bucs just not seem to consistently beat Milwaukee?
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Oh, and Cryin’ Fraud is easy to dislike.
I don’t know what it is vs Milwaukee, plan. But, their starters are better vs us than vs everyone else, it seems. We nailed Peralta last time. I think we’ll get him again tomorrow.
Think the Bucs lost their composure tonight with what happened with Cutch. Bad at bats with situational hitting.
Can’t win ‘em all. Bucs have been playing great, but they missed a lot of opportunities tonight. Makes the division title more of a long shot. But, we’ll get a step closer to the WC tomorrow.
Some good news – SD 3, SF 0 in the 7th.
Let’s get #1 WC and think division (although bleak) from there.
Team is built to take pitches.
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Get a lousy ump calling strikes on pitches 6″ inside and 6″ outside the zone and it mucks up our plan.
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Result is no rhythm to either individual at bats or consecutive at bats.
Interesting observation, DJ. Our offense was off tonight & you are right that our usual plate discipline was lacking. And the ump was awful. Not sure if they are connected.
We’ve shown excellent discipline the last 10 games. Believe it was a major factor tonight, Jim.
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As an aside, would be interested in our record in games where Cutch is hit. Guessing it’s bad.
You could be on to something about the plate discipline tonight. They were swinging at some bad pitches – even Russ. But, the ump was missing them for both teams.
We’re still in good shape. No need to worry. Not that anyone is.
I guess the division is lost but it’s still doubtful we’ll miss out on the wc.
And SF is now down to its last 4 outs trailing the Padres 3-0. So, hopefully, we won’t lose any ground on them and will remain 1 back. They have to play 3 critical games vs LAD this week. I’ll take a home WC game vs them.
This team seems to revert back poor fundamentals at the worst times. They ran themselves out of 2 innings, including Cutch’s boneheaded steal attempt after getting hit. You absolutely CANNOT do that with 2 outs and your cleanup hitter at the plate. Tough to lose 1-0 at home.
I saw it differently. He was trying to get into scoring position, so the cleanup hitter could drive him in with a single. He was 17/19 stealing on the yr before that. Lucroy made a perfect throw. The dumb running mistake, as I’m sure he would admit to, was made by JHay.
Actually thought JHay’s was a designed play to get in a rundown to allow Polanco to score before the tag.
I wondered that. But, they showed that righties hit over .300 vs that pitcher & Tabby was hitting close to .350 vs LHP.
Clint said afterword it was a designed play.
I guess they’ve used it before.
If it was DJ, and it might have been, that would be an idiotic coaching move. The percentages on that working are very low.
With 0 or 1 out, go ahead and try to steal. With 2 outs, it’s unacceptable, because if he’s caught it takes the bat out of Walker’s hands. If the #8 hitter is up, I can at least see your point. And yes, J-Hay’s mistake was just as dumb. Seems like that play fails every time.
Cutch can never steal then, because the #4 or #5 hitter is always up when he’s on base. If you run with 2 out & make it, which he almost always is, it increases the chances of scoring greatly. If you’re out, the #4 hitter leads off the next inning which is not so bad.
Almost always, except for tonight. Even if Cutch had made it, I’d still say it was too great a risk to try. It’s all about being a smart baserunner. Cutch on first with Walker up is a better situation to be in than Walker leading off the next inning. Just my opinion.
Padres hang on for the 3-2 win. So, the Bucs are still down 1 game for the top WC spot.
Well, at least there is that good news.
Thanks for the update, Jim.
Just read this in today’s Trib: Garza had hit only two batters in 158 2/3 innings before Saturday. He nailed McCutchen twice in a span of three innings.
Regarding the Cutch HBP, it’s important to note, as John Dreker of Pirates Prospects has written, the Bucs’ org. philosophy is teaching pitching inside. Their affiliates lead in HBP at almost every level. I believe MLB teams are combatting by targeting Cutch specifically (cont’d)
& all Bucs hitters to some degree. They feel they’re fighting fire w fire. But, those teams aren’t training young pitchers to throw inside effectively. I think they’re merely PO’d at the entire Bucs Org. & their answer is to target Cutch w high/ tight stuff. Sometimes he gets hit