Pregame notes 6:15 p.m.:Neil Walker had one pressing question for Jung Ho Kang and interpreter H.K. Kim as they walked through the tunnel before batting practice: “Sunday fun-day?” More like fun-night, as the Pirates and Dodgers wrap up their weekend series under the PNC Park lights. ESPN cameras were rolling in the clubhouse about four hours before first pitch, capturing a very staged interaction between Walker, Gregory Polanco and Aramis Ramirez for pregame hype purposes. Hey, that’s TV. … To a man, the players seemed both mildly pleased and somewhat dismissive of getting the Sunday Night Baseball treatment for the second time this season. “It means you’re playing well, right?” said Jared Hughes. … Morton will be on the mound as the Pirates chase a three-game sweep of the National League West leaders. His previous start was a week ago in Cincinnati, where he once again found his Great American Ball Park groove over seven scoreless innings. Clint Hurdle said a simpler approach helped Morton stabilize after allowing 30 runs on 45 hits over his previous seven starts. “Pushing him to aim for the middle (of the plate), because it’s not going to end up in the middle,” he said, alluding to Morton’s natural movement on the two-seam fastball. “We don’t need to be too fine or pick corners of the plate. Fire for the middle and mix in the breaking ball.” Hurdle also lauded Morton’s “being aggressive from the start” last Sunday, getting through the first two innings on 15 pitches. … After pitching on three of the past four days, Mark Melancon and Joakim Soria will be unavailable out of the bullpen, leaving tonight’s high-leverage situations to Hughes and Watson. “You’re a little more sore (after back-to-back games), but it’s no big deal,” said Soria, who has 48 appearances between the Tigers and Pirates. Hurdle said the organizational goal is to keep relievers from pitching in more than 50 percent of the team’s total games. Hughes (54 appearances in 108 games) leads the parade so far, with Melancon (53) and Watson (52) close behind. … Andrew McCutchen paces MLB with a .407 batting average with runners in scoring position. His latest strike came in Saturday’s first inning on an RBI single. “He’s not overthinking things,” Hurdle said. “He’s been aggressive in the strike zone and disciplined in those situations, mindful of the at-bat.” … Josh Harrison (Tuesday) and Jordy Mercer (undetermined) are on track to begin rehab assignments with Triple-A Indianapolis this week, while A.J. Burnett threw off flat ground yesterday for the first time since his strained elbow was diagnosed. Rob Scahill pitched in the Gulf Coast League this weekend; the right-handed reliever will report to Double-A Altoona on Tuesday. … Francisco Cervelli played his first seven MLB seasons with the Yankees, so he’s more accustomed to odd TV start times than most in the Pirates clubhouse:
7:58: General manager Neal Huntington just spoke with the assembled press. In addition to the video below, he termed pitching prospect Tyler Glasnow‘s early results in Indianapolis as a “learning process.” The 6-foot-8 21-year-old right-hander walked six and allowed six stolen bases in his second Triple-A start, but his earned-run average is 1.80 at that level despite that. “He’s had some challenges, but he’s an intelligent player,” Huntington said.
Huntington also mentioned that there will be some decisions to make regarding Michael Morse when Mercer and Harrison come off the disabled list. The video opens with the GM answering a question about Vance Worley‘s status:
8:09: Jimmy Rollins ropes Morton’s first pitch into the right-field corner for a leadoff double. 82 degrees and breezy at game time.
8:17: Three line drives and a grounder add up to a 2-0 Los Angeles lead. Morton has been aggressive in the zone with the fastball, but the Dodgers have matched that quite well.
8:40: Cervelli drives his second triple of the week into the North Side Notch with two out in the second, but Walker grounds out to third.
8:47: Make it 3-0 as Adrian Gonzalez picks up his second RBI single of the evening. Howie Kendrick, who had singled and stolen second without a throw, scored on the play.
8:59: Who else thinks that the batter being able to reach on a wild-pitch strike three is the weirdest/dumbest rule in baseball? We checked and Polanco’s reached-base streak (25 of 27 coming in) doesn’t extend on that play.
9:02: McCutchen called out on strikes by home-plate ump Mark Wegner to end the third. Walker and McCutchen have been victims of an enlarged outside corner tonight.
9:26: Ramirez plugs the gap with a leadoff double in the fourth. After a Morse single moved Ramirez to third, Cervelli lifts a sacrifice fly to center to put the Pirates on the board. 3-1 Dodgers.
9:41: Yasmani Grandal powers an RBI single to right-center. 4-1 L.A., and Ray Searage to the mound. Arquimedes Caminero begins to throw.
9:47: For once, Starling Marte can’t bail out a Pirates pitcher. Alberto Callaspo‘s run-scoring double bounces by him and it’s 5-1. Wonder if Morton will be back for the sixth … he’s allowed 10 hits, two unintentional walks and the Dodgers are running wild on the bases (three steals).
10:02: With the crack of the bat, you knew. High and deep and way gone from McCutchen, scoring Marte and pulling the Pirates within 5-3 in the fifth. Joc Pederson tracked it like he had a shot, but it was at least 30 feet over the center-field fence. The fastball from Wood was actually high and out of the zone, but somehow McCutchen got on top of it.
10:20: Walker popped what initially looked like a home run to right-center field, but it apparently struck the very top of the padding. Ruled a triple after an umpire crew review.
10:32: Crowd to its feet for a McCutchen bases-loaded at-bat … but he grounds out to third on the first pitch from Juan Nicasio. Three baserunners but nothing across for the Pirates.
10:45: Two scoreless innings for Caminero, including three strikeouts. Let’s see if it leads to anything.
10:55: What looks like a sellout crowd has been rejuvenated in the bottom of the seventh. Kang was hit by a Jim Johnson pitch, then back-to-back singles by pinch hitter Pedro Alvarez and Cervelli brought in a run. 5-4 with Alvarez at third and one out.
10:58: And we are tied at PNC. Walker’s shallow fly to left forced Andre Ethier to dive to make the catch. Alvarez tags and scores. It’s 5-5.
11:06: Not much of a Marte partay, but it got the job done. Infield dribbler scores the go-ahead run. Pirates lead for the first time, 6-5.
11:07: Make it 8-5 on McCutchen’s one-hopper through the left side. We’ve officially reached the level of noise heard last in the Cardinals series before the all-star break. Scary loud.
11:11: Ramirez drops an RBI hit into center. Don Mattingly finally comes to get Johnson after 10 Pirates come to the plate. Pittsburgh up 9-5.
Jung Ho Kang rounds the bases after his three-run home run in the seventh. — GETTY
11:15: What is happening? Kang just mashed the first pitch from Joel Peralta deep into the right-field stands. A nine-run seventh and they’re still batting. 12-5 Pirates.
11:28: Kike Hernandez homered off Hughes in the eighth, 12-6 Pirates. Here’s my ink-covered scorecard.
11:31: They’re having a bit of fun tonight. Cervelli puts a Peralta offering off the left-field rotunda for a massive solo homer. 13-6 … insert football-score joke here.
1. Gregory Polanco (L) RF
2. Starling Marte (R) LF
3. Andrew McCutchen (R) CF
4. Aramis Ramirez (R) 3B
5. Jung Ho Kang (R) SS
6. Michael Morse (R) 1B
7. Francisco Cervelli (R) C
8. Neil Walker (S) 2B
9. Charlie Morton (R) P
1. Jimmy Rollins (S) SS
2. Howie Kendrick (R) 2B
3. Adrian Gonzalez (L) 1B
4. Andre Ethier (L) RF
5. Yasmani Grandal (S) C
6. Carl Crawford (L) LF
7. Alberto Callaspo (S) 3B
8. Joc Pederson (L) CF
9. Alex Wood (R) P
William Maloni
8-9-2015, 4:14 pm
I want to see more of Morse's bat and I'd love to see Neil bat lefty against a lefty; other guys can hit them from their left side, so should Neil!
Rather see Walker in there than Rodriguez or Florimon.
And with Harrison at third, this lineup would be pretty special.
Champyinz
8-9-2015, 4:23 pm
Lineup is very good even now. If only Clint would at least switch Kang to 4th and Ramirez to 5th
LonelyLibertarian
8-9-2015, 6:06 pm
This weeks "Facts Are Our Friends" update...
Over the past 14 days - WAR/wRC+
Cutch 0.9/222
Kang 0.6/169
Polanco 0.4/133
Walker 0.4/154
Cervelli 0.3/141
Marte 0.1/81
Pedro -0.2/74
Aramis -0.6/26
Per Fangraphs this afternoon
Not they have the Bucs with just 3 +Defenders over that period
Cervelli
Marte
Kang
Matt Gajtka
8-9-2015, 6:53 pm
My stat sense was tingling ... I knew someone had posted something sabermetric in the thread. :-)
davidtgalbraith
8-9-2015, 7:18 pm
Given the stats from LL, Morse for Pedro and Josh for Aramis are no brainers.
LonelyLibertarian
8-9-2015, 8:01 pm
Gotta love Pirates fans! Ready to dump Pedro for Morse - I missed all those game wining hits he has had since joining the Bucs - he was DFAd by MIAMI - his home town team dumped him!
I really hope he can contribute - BUT - this anybody bot Pedro crap is borderline stupid
Champyinz
8-9-2015, 4:18 pm
Cutch is on a tear. If he keeps this up we have a big chance of catching the Cardinals. He's the key.
I might disagree that Polanco is the key since he has the biggest opportunity to improve, but in reality the entire team is going to need to perform to a very high level if they are to close the gap with the Cards and end this season the way we all hope.
cmat0829
8-9-2015, 7:10 pm
Cutch has played noticeably better this week. Even watch how he is running better and hustling in the outfield more. Glad to see him step up. For this offense he simply must play at the mvp level. It isn't like past years. Where cutch was hitting but no one around him was. He has good enough talent around him now. He just needs to relax and not try to pull the ball for HR every at bat.
Steven J Smith
8-9-2015, 4:18 pm
A sweep tonight would be great to have leading into St. Louis. Let's Go Buccos!
Broxton may be one of the keys to the Pirates catching the Cardinals.
Carl
8-9-2015, 4:47 pm
Yeah I was thrilled when I saw the Cards picked him up.
papadrop2
8-9-2015, 5:07 pm
Just found out about the Cards-Brewers ending. First thought was the "Broxton Effect" may be a key to bring Cards back to the pack
cmat0829
8-9-2015, 5:45 pm
Johnny B on the cards gives us hope
Tom P.
8-9-2015, 5:15 pm
The Pirates played their 108th game of the season yesterday, which means they finished their 6th 18-game segment of the year. Their record in each of those 18-game segments is 10-8, 7-11, 13-5, 10-8, 13-5, and 11-7.
Yes, and reasonably consistent over the span of 54 games. They won 30 of the first 54 and 34 of the next 54. If they win 32 of the last 54, they end up with 96 wins.
cdeardo
8-9-2015, 5:46 pm
Bucs lost 22 of their first 40. Since then, they have lost 22 of their subsequent 68.
Lumbergh
8-9-2015, 5:35 pm
Chuck was pretty good last time out, it'd be real nice if he got on a roll.
Giants 52nd loss - 8 more than Bucs. Cubs now tied with LA for third best record in NL and 4th best in MLB.
Durka
8-9-2015, 5:44 pm
Cubs have won 10 of 11 and have a 3.5 game lead for the second wild card now
cmat0829
8-9-2015, 5:44 pm
Love it. Keep bumgarner away from the Wc game
Tom P.
8-9-2015, 5:46 pm
Right now, the Pirates are 4 behind the Cardinals in the loss column, 4 ahead of the Cubs, and 8 ahead of the Giants.
JAL
8-9-2015, 5:48 pm
Trading Bumgarner for Lester or Arrieta is no picnic
VABurgher
8-9-2015, 6:28 pm
I'm kinda glad that the players don't seem to worry about what the other guys are doing as much as we do. All they should worry about is the team they are playing today if they win there is nothing else they can do. The rest of the noise will take care of itself in time.
cmat0829
8-9-2015, 7:07 pm
It's no picnic but I'll take my chances vs a young Cubs team rather than the Giants (cardinals-west). Also don't mind avoiding the mets.
Tim Williams laid out a way that the Pirates can keep everyone when they do come back after the rosters expand. It seemed logical so I hope the Pirates either figured it out for themselves or reads piratesprospects.com
cmat0829
8-9-2015, 7:06 pm
Zero chance and nor should they DFA Ramirez. Lots of progress both JHay and mercer need to show before they are back. But Florimon and Ishikawa go unless ishi develops an impingement
blackandgoldpgh
8-9-2015, 7:07 pm
My guess is Ishi and Florimon will be gone.
Whovian87
8-9-2015, 7:10 pm
I believe Florimon has options so he'd go for mercer. And I can't imagine ishi staying. He's 4th in the pecking order for first right now. All he would be is a bench bat but they'll have a few others to do that. Ramirez had a bad start, but he's been getting it together lately.
The wolf
8-9-2015, 8:04 pm
Getting it together lately? You mean by hitting into 3 DP's and getting thrown off first after a single, then booting a routine grounder? And thats just the last two games. He killed em as a Cub. He killed em as a Brewer. And he's doing em damag as a Pirate, from the inside. He needs to get his BUTT in gear on both sides of the plate, is the kindest way you can say it.
Whovian87
8-9-2015, 8:34 pm
Would you rather have had him continue his 0-X streak? He has 4 Rbi's and 9 hits on 47 ab's. Not good numbers, and to be honest the stat that bugs me is he hasn't walked. He's a classic 4 hitter so DP's are a common occurrence. You try hard to avoid them, but realistically they will happen. I want him to be doing better too and I really don't think he belongs in the 4 spot right now. You'd rather them keep Ishi?
jimmy streich
8-9-2015, 6:54 pm
Hopefully it's good Morton tonight so the bullpen can get some rest. After seeing Happ pitch I really hope Worley decides to accept the minor league assignment and not become a free agent
It's a bigger deal for us fans to pretend it's a big deal for the Pirates to play in prime time. That's part of the fun hyping up the game and making it bigger than it really is.
I don't like watching preseason football ... especially the first couple games ... Look at the list of guys Tomlin is holding out ... I prefer watching the last game or two when the real players get real time.
Shawn6687
8-9-2015, 7:28 pm
I geek out on the draft picks and prospects so will watch it.
I understand your sentiment, though. I'm happy they have 5!
Well as most fans know, the Cards lost--rare event. So tonight takes on even more meaning. It is not enough at this point in the year if we lose "well we took the series".
No, when you take first 2 or 3, and trying to catch this team, you 'have' to sweep.
And then at a minimum go there and win 2 out of 3. You will not catch them otherwise with our SP as constructed.
Too bad that hideous box will be there. I was flicking through and saw the a game not sure if TBS, where the box was shown whole down but off to the right. That is better. but do fans REALLY NEED a box the whole time to show us the location?
How much clutter can be introduced into a game and ruin it. It always has with pitch count, mph, boxes, tweets, ongoing score box etc.
Actually, sweeping means picking up 3 games against either the Cubs or Giants or some combination of three losses by them. With the Cubs sweeping, this may be the best scenario that one team or the other swept, but it puts one of them (Giants) 7 games back instead of two hovering around 5 some games.
Too bad Steelers and Pirates are on same time. DVR time for Steelers. Pirates live for most part.
Glad someone is killing it on ESPN. I'm normally one to scoff at the people who rag on announcers, but these guys....man, I swear, they must get paid by the word. Hope it's a fast game, win or lose!
wsamcap
8-9-2015, 8:08 pm
'Cloud, being on ESPN this often means good things, so, we'll take it, right?!
Morton is just not a good enough pitcher to take up the slack from AJ being out. He is mentally so weak at times. 10 million for this kind of performance. Limit this to two runs or long night for bucs.
He is one of those guys I don't like. He looks like a top 3 rotation guy for 2 or 3 starts, but then looks AAA the next 2 or 3. He is ok for a 5, maybe a 4, but for his price it hardly seems worth it.
cdeardo
8-9-2015, 8:19 pm
Chuck's 10+ first inning ERA is going up
Only good news is that he was efficient in giving up the first 2 runs on just 14 pitches
Seems surprising to me that Morse would be the guy they have to make some decisions about when Mercer and JHay come back. I would figure Ishikawa would be more likely to be dished or DFA'd when they come back. Only thing that seems to go Ishikawa's way is he hits lefty, but Alvarez, Polanco, and Walker are all better hitters from that side. Anybody else seem a bit surprised by that or is it just me?
Hurdle said last week that he wanted to see if Rammy could be effective batting in 4th through this weekend...we probably wont see him there after tonight...
Jayme 7
8-9-2015, 9:13 pm
@ camchuck, we can only hope, right?
Battleship Bob
8-9-2015, 8:34 pm
Nasty pitch to throw to the opposing pitcher, Cholly!
That weak groundout not withstanding, how AWESOME has Gung Ho been? Freaking STEAL by NH. With Pederson's total collapse and Bryant's regression, is the any chance for Kang to win ROY?
I try not to think about where they would be without him because it is a very dark place. He absolutely deserves to be mentioned. Unfortunately I would bet Bryant still edges him because he has 15 HR and 64 RBIs. Not that Kang hasn't been as good as them, I just doubt unless Kang keeps this up and both die out he will get overlooked because of their power and rbi totals.
steelag70
8-9-2015, 8:45 pm
Definitely great scouting and confidence in the evaluation they received from former MLB guy CJ Nitkowski who played with Kang in the KBO. I think if he continues to shine, he has good a chance as anyone. Don't sleep on Matt Duffy or Syndergaard either.
Dylan C
8-9-2015, 8:45 pm
My guess would be Noah syndergaard of the Mets just because everyone seems so infatuated with him
Florida Steeler
8-9-2015, 8:52 pm
He will not win it-- not even close. Bryant from Cubs has it locked.
Whovian87
8-9-2015, 8:53 pm
I forgot about Syndergaard, but honestly I think he is and should be the biggest competition for Kang.
Jayme 7
8-9-2015, 8:57 pm
Forgot about Syndergaard....good call
21
8-9-2015, 9:42 pm
Bryant's numbers went way down once he made the full lap around the league
I thought the same thing. People just don't understand the situation when at a ballgame. Always try and catch something foul when it is the other team trying to catch it!! :)
Jayme 7
8-9-2015, 8:45 pm
Was watching the replay thinking the same thing. Idiot makes Bartman look Iike Einstein.
Florida Steeler
8-9-2015, 8:39 pm
So, Pedro not playing because Neal still trying to prove that Morse, Happ and Ramirez were not more mistakes by him???
Cant prove they weren't if they don't play. But... Yeah.
Whovian87
8-9-2015, 8:50 pm
I'm fine with Morse playing. He showed promise the first few tries with a couple hits and a few really well hit balls that got snagged. I certainly hope if he doesn't pan out that they don't keep trying to justify it. I still want to see a little more Ramirez before passing final judgment. Happ just didn't look good at all, but he should get another shot before they call him a failed project. They already said they altered a couple mechanics so hopefully he's better next outing.
I like the timing the espn guys are giving for Morton's time to plate being like 1.6+ and most should be like 1.3. His slow delivery kills Cervelli's chance at throwing anyone out.
Jayme 7
8-9-2015, 8:48 pm
Sigh. Looks like Mr. Hyde all night. ESPN guys are eviscerating Morton. Wish I could argue....
Wouldn't have been a double play anyway. Runner stole without a throw
jedinite66
8-9-2015, 8:56 pm
Ok it would have been an out and no run scored and then maybe you get out of inning without giving up that run. My point was there didn't seem to be a reason to be shifting.
I don't think many coaches would pull their starter yet. They have to be aware of bullpen usage for the recent past and immediate future. Plus some pitchers settle in after a rough start.
Whovian87
8-9-2015, 9:05 pm
Considering the likely long reliever would be Happ I think he'll stay. If he manages to shut it down then it will depend on pitch count, but if his hit and miss streak continues then 5 maybe. With Soria and Melancon out I'm guessing they don't want to use the pen more than they really need to.
Jayme 7
8-9-2015, 8:50 pm
Grin. The other guys make mistakes too. It's not just us!
Tonight only make me less optimistic about the starting pitching going down the stretch. Hold on, Bucs fans, it's going to be a bumpy final two months.
The horrow show that is NHL officiating is only matched by the nightmare that is the average MLB ump's strike zone. Parents, raise your kids to be refs. The only other job in the world with this level of security, regardless of gross incompetence, is Congress.
With today's technology there is no reason that balls and strikes cannot be called electronically
Karen22
8-9-2015, 9:14 pm
AND weathermen...;)
Milo Hamilton
8-9-2015, 9:15 pm
And weather forecasters.
steelag70
8-9-2015, 9:20 pm
And lefty pitchers...
21
8-9-2015, 9:23 pm
Computerized strike zone is getting it's shot in the Minors this year ... if it goes well maybe they could get a league to go full time on it and show how much better the game would be .... I feel it could be done
Matt Gajtka
8-9-2015, 9:25 pm
Or maybe being an official in a major-league sport is really tough?
Milo Hamilton
8-9-2015, 9:30 pm
And a cold bucket of water directly from the press box. But we will not be deterred.
Jayme 7
8-9-2015, 9:31 pm
@Matt: I'm sure it is. But nothing excuses what occurs in the NHL every single game, nor does it excuse having nebulous, unfair, hopelessly inexact strike zones when the technology clearly exists to have it done nearly perfectly.
Battleship Bob
8-9-2015, 9:33 pm
I like that different umps have different zones, but i dont like inconsistency within games. I also don't like pitchers getting the call just because they're a big-name pitcher.
Milo Hamilton
8-9-2015, 9:35 pm
And by the way, Mark Wegner is a hack. The people that play the game will tell you that. So will Hawk Harrelson.
Matt Gajtka
8-9-2015, 9:38 pm
On the record, I'm completely in favor of a computerized strike zone. Unreasonable to expect a human being to make those calls, IMO.
LonelyLibertarian
8-9-2015, 9:43 pm
The technology already exists - They can literally map the path of each pitch across the strike zone...
But they continue to ask humans to do what is not an easy job
Bubba Banjo
8-9-2015, 9:47 pm
I dunno... I think your being way to harsh ya'll. WWE refs are way worse. Wait.... you dont think MLB is hiring fired WWE refs do you?
Bubba Banjo
8-9-2015, 9:48 pm
I think the Umps should be given Google Glass with a computerized strike box to assist them. Let them call it but give them a hand.
Berniebaseball
8-9-2015, 10:15 pm
The computerized zone you see on TV is used by MLB to evaluate umpires. So u do have to wonder why we don't just get it right. Tradition I guess
Bubba Banjo
8-9-2015, 10:46 pm
Course if we did that AJ's shrink would go out of business. He would be cool as a breeze.
Matt the Stat
8-9-2015, 9:16 pm
Hey Great One 21 -- I am in total agreement with you. The constant showing of the strike zone box is annoying and distracting. Too many bells and whistles on the part of ESPN
Makes me even angrier when I see a missed call too
TheGreatOne21
8-10-2015, 12:11 pm
Hi Matt, glad to see your sharp mind weigh in on this insane intrusion. I find my eyes looking at the box, while still watching the ball, and see if hit, and if the catcher moves in or out, the box is not aligned.
I DONT NEED a box to show me where the ball goes the whole time.
What they did do well and have asked why not done more is show a more wide lens behind the plate so we can see the whole infield from behind the plate and where ball goes, such as Kang's HR. In a certain way, that was an example.....
Well.... he didnt say "which" team. Probably didnt mean us.
Florida Steeler
8-9-2015, 9:47 pm
What else do you expect from NH? You expect him to tell you how horrible his overall drafts have been or admit that Happ was the best he could do at that time??
Berniebaseball
8-9-2015, 9:50 pm
Stop with the old 2009 debates.
Matt Gajtka
8-9-2015, 10:12 pm
Just did four minutes with the video. He mentioned Morse after I shut it off. Looks like it's going to be a trial basis for him until the other two return.
When did 1B become the most difficult defensive position to play? Also, catchers always used to become 1Bs eventually. I wonder of they've considered giving Stewart a shot at it?
That was a terrible call on that foul ball. I'm sitting in 311 and had a good look. The 3B touched it in fair territory, then the ball died right on the line. Then another bogus strike three call. This ump blows tonight.
NEVER ... they will die with him ... I just dont get it!
Biz
8-9-2015, 9:54 pm
Morton is signed thru 2016
Smiley57
8-9-2015, 9:59 pm
Thanks Biz. Plus he has a sub 4 ERA in the years he gets 20+ starts in the last 5 seasons. That's good enough to be a 4 or 5 guy on any pitching staff. Preferably a #5 guy though
Pedro should be playing-- this is NH telling Hurdle to play his lousy pickup at the deadline.
edwardo
8-9-2015, 9:53 pm
Can't understand why Hurdle didn't pinch hit for Morton with men on 1st & 3rd with us down by 2. Morton clearly doesn't have his stuff and can't hit worth a lick, yet Hurdle sends him to the plate. What a wasted opportunity. Hurdle does it again!!!
I like Clint Hurdle as a man, but his game management skills suck PERIOD!!!!
He was trying to keep from going to the bullpen too early.
21
8-9-2015, 9:56 pm
PINCH HITTER....yes ... he blew it ... then Charlie goes back out and gives up more runs!
ledtotheflood
8-9-2015, 9:57 pm
He already "deactivated" Melancon and Soria tonight. Probably did not want to go to his bullpen that early, but S-Rod might've been worth a try in that circumstance.
21
8-9-2015, 10:03 pm
He let the game get out of hand hoping not to use the Bullpen!
Some are well rested ... Lurch ...
why wait til the game is out of reach? Off day tomorrow!
Whovian87
8-9-2015, 10:07 pm
The bullpen is exactly why. As stated above they're missing 2 relievers and Happ is the long guy. Blanton went 2 yesterday so he could probably go one, but even then you have to bank on Bastardo going at least 2 probably 3 depending on the score. Full pen I doubt Hurdle leaves him in.
++++++ will never change under Neal. The guy just doesn't get the theory that you go for the gusto when you are in it. You brag about wonderful, hoarded prospects that are not even with the big boys and hope they win in some future Galaxy.
indyburghfan
8-9-2015, 10:10 pm
Yeah but he picked up Morse and Happ #geniusstuff. AND he held onto the beloved prospects for the 2031 run at the wild card
Smiley57
8-9-2015, 10:20 pm
That ace was one of the prospects only a couple of years ago. Would you have traded him when he was a AA whatever?
papadrop2
8-9-2015, 9:59 pm
This back end of the rotation can negate any chances for an extended winning streak....this is not a championship ballclub the way it is currently constructed...
Yep...I've seen all I need to see from him...he can hang until J-Hay comes back and he's dfa...and i understand the contract issue there but he's one of those players who you need to pay to play somewhere else....
Biz
8-9-2015, 10:20 pm
Signed for 8 million for 2016, Dodgers gave the PBC 3.5 of that
Whovian87
8-9-2015, 10:23 pm
So 10 bats is enough to pass judgment on a player? He has 3 hits(4 if you include the one that doesn't count in the books) and he has had a few very hard hit outs that could very well have been hits. I'm not saying to make him a priority, but give the man a few tries.
Smiley57
8-9-2015, 10:25 pm
Whovian - some fans expect perfection from all 25 guys on the roster through all 162 games. It's amusing.
Whovian87
8-9-2015, 10:35 pm
I'm all for expecting the most of your players, but sometimes it just doesn't work out. I'm all for criticizing poor plays or effort and all that stuff, but Morse hasn't really been a disappointment so far.
Florida Steeler
8-9-2015, 10:39 pm
What are you guys talking about with Morse?? For goodness sakes, PLAY PEDRO. He is much better than the Morse experiment. We did not need this guy nor did we improve because Neal signed him. He was a totally unnecessary addition.
Whovian87
8-9-2015, 11:01 pm
Morse wasn't a waste. He also wasn't a savior by any means. He has hardly been a failure since arriving and its a small sample.
This part is hypothetical and not usually well received, but maybe the competition of potentially being replaced and then getting Morse to replace him may have made him work harder and elevate his game.
daddude001
8-9-2015, 10:07 pm
This fan in section 316 just shouted 'put in pedro' much to the chagrin of my 18 yr old son
You know BALL 1 to Morse (clearly a ball) BUT called a strike ... not only is a bad call ... but it forces Morse to swing at the next pitch because he can't trust the UMP!
This is why I love baseball, it knows exactly how to play with my emotions. I'm a puppet, and the Pirates are making me dance. Frustrated, uneasy, excited, all at the same time...
The hard part for me is there appears to be that green railing behind the top of the pad that makes the ball bounce back. It looked like based on where it hit the top of the pad that the ball couldn't have bounced back into the field without hitting something else. Evidently the reviewers didn't feel the same way. I'm not terribly upset though because its very hard to see that railing on the replay and the "indisputable evidence" probably wasn't indisputable.
Someone should tell Hurdle that he is losing this game. To bring in a .200 hitter who cant make contact and put him in the lineup is crazy. Rodriguez can not hit.
Happens when BMTIB thinks they can find value in the bottom of the dumpster. I almost barfed when i was reading all of thatvcrap,about how Sean was a great guy and could play all over the field - the guy is a AA hitter at best.
Smiley57
8-9-2015, 10:39 pm
I think that's the key to winning out the rest of the year. If someone (and who knows who it'd be) would tell Hurdle he's losing the game then he'll coach us to eternal victory!
I am with you - there are at least 25 folks on this thread who are better managers than Hurdle (and I am not a fan of Hurdle - he was fired at Colorado for a reason - ask Tulo!)
Baseball is a game where you can fail 2 out of 3 times and be a very rich person.
Should be tied anyway after Cerveli's walk and Walker's HR. That's disappointing that two calls that could have gone either way, didn't, and we're losing instead of tied because of that.
We need to score some runs in the next 2 innings. We dont want to go into the 9th losing and having to face Kelly Jansen. That guy can throw a strawberry through a locomotive !!!!!!!!!!!!
Don Mattingly is one of my all time favorite players. As a manager, he's one of my all time favorite players. This is not one of his finest moments to say the least.
I love this team - the BMTIB not so much - but the players are truly the battling Buccos. No quit in them in these kind of games. They do annoy and frustrate at times. But tonight I saw some young men who wanted to make a statement. WAY TO GO BUCS,
August 9, 2015
Final: Pirates 13, Dodgers 6
554by Matt Gajtka • Game previews • Pirates
Looking ahead to first pitch …
Game: Pirates (64-44) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (62-48), 8:08 p.m., PNC Park
Pitchers: RHP Charlie Morton (4.19 ERA) vs. LHP Alex Wood (3.54 ERA)
TV, radio: ESPN (national), 93.7 The Fan
Online: Gameday | Multimedia | Media notes
Pregame notes 6:15 p.m.: Neil Walker had one pressing question for Jung Ho Kang and interpreter H.K. Kim as they walked through the tunnel before batting practice: “Sunday fun-day?” More like fun-night, as the Pirates and Dodgers wrap up their weekend series under the PNC Park lights. ESPN cameras were rolling in the clubhouse about four hours before first pitch, capturing a very staged interaction between Walker, Gregory Polanco and Aramis Ramirez for pregame hype purposes. Hey, that’s TV. … To a man, the players seemed both mildly pleased and somewhat dismissive of getting the Sunday Night Baseball treatment for the second time this season. “It means you’re playing well, right?” said Jared Hughes. … Morton will be on the mound as the Pirates chase a three-game sweep of the National League West leaders. His previous start was a week ago in Cincinnati, where he once again found his Great American Ball Park groove over seven scoreless innings. Clint Hurdle said a simpler approach helped Morton stabilize after allowing 30 runs on 45 hits over his previous seven starts. “Pushing him to aim for the middle (of the plate), because it’s not going to end up in the middle,” he said, alluding to Morton’s natural movement on the two-seam fastball. “We don’t need to be too fine or pick corners of the plate. Fire for the middle and mix in the breaking ball.” Hurdle also lauded Morton’s “being aggressive from the start” last Sunday, getting through the first two innings on 15 pitches. … After pitching on three of the past four days, Mark Melancon and Joakim Soria will be unavailable out of the bullpen, leaving tonight’s high-leverage situations to Hughes and Watson. “You’re a little more sore (after back-to-back games), but it’s no big deal,” said Soria, who has 48 appearances between the Tigers and Pirates. Hurdle said the organizational goal is to keep relievers from pitching in more than 50 percent of the team’s total games. Hughes (54 appearances in 108 games) leads the parade so far, with Melancon (53) and Watson (52) close behind. … Andrew McCutchen paces MLB with a .407 batting average with runners in scoring position. His latest strike came in Saturday’s first inning on an RBI single. “He’s not overthinking things,” Hurdle said. “He’s been aggressive in the strike zone and disciplined in those situations, mindful of the at-bat.” … Josh Harrison (Tuesday) and Jordy Mercer (undetermined) are on track to begin rehab assignments with Triple-A Indianapolis this week, while A.J. Burnett threw off flat ground yesterday for the first time since his strained elbow was diagnosed. Rob Scahill pitched in the Gulf Coast League this weekend; the right-handed reliever will report to Double-A Altoona on Tuesday. … Francisco Cervelli played his first seven MLB seasons with the Yankees, so he’s more accustomed to odd TV start times than most in the Pirates clubhouse:
7:58: General manager Neal Huntington just spoke with the assembled press. In addition to the video below, he termed pitching prospect Tyler Glasnow‘s early results in Indianapolis as a “learning process.” The 6-foot-8 21-year-old right-hander walked six and allowed six stolen bases in his second Triple-A start, but his earned-run average is 1.80 at that level despite that. “He’s had some challenges, but he’s an intelligent player,” Huntington said.
Huntington also mentioned that there will be some decisions to make regarding Michael Morse when Mercer and Harrison come off the disabled list. The video opens with the GM answering a question about Vance Worley‘s status:
8:09: Jimmy Rollins ropes Morton’s first pitch into the right-field corner for a leadoff double. 82 degrees and breezy at game time.
8:17: Three line drives and a grounder add up to a 2-0 Los Angeles lead. Morton has been aggressive in the zone with the fastball, but the Dodgers have matched that quite well.
8:40: Cervelli drives his second triple of the week into the North Side Notch with two out in the second, but Walker grounds out to third.
8:47: Make it 3-0 as Adrian Gonzalez picks up his second RBI single of the evening. Howie Kendrick, who had singled and stolen second without a throw, scored on the play.
8:59: Who else thinks that the batter being able to reach on a wild-pitch strike three is the weirdest/dumbest rule in baseball? We checked and Polanco’s reached-base streak (25 of 27 coming in) doesn’t extend on that play.
9:02: McCutchen called out on strikes by home-plate ump Mark Wegner to end the third. Walker and McCutchen have been victims of an enlarged outside corner tonight.
9:26: Ramirez plugs the gap with a leadoff double in the fourth. After a Morse single moved Ramirez to third, Cervelli lifts a sacrifice fly to center to put the Pirates on the board. 3-1 Dodgers.
9:41: Yasmani Grandal powers an RBI single to right-center. 4-1 L.A., and Ray Searage to the mound. Arquimedes Caminero begins to throw.
9:47: For once, Starling Marte can’t bail out a Pirates pitcher. Alberto Callaspo‘s run-scoring double bounces by him and it’s 5-1. Wonder if Morton will be back for the sixth … he’s allowed 10 hits, two unintentional walks and the Dodgers are running wild on the bases (three steals).
10:02: With the crack of the bat, you knew. High and deep and way gone from McCutchen, scoring Marte and pulling the Pirates within 5-3 in the fifth. Joc Pederson tracked it like he had a shot, but it was at least 30 feet over the center-field fence. The fastball from Wood was actually high and out of the zone, but somehow McCutchen got on top of it.
10:20: Walker popped what initially looked like a home run to right-center field, but it apparently struck the very top of the padding. Ruled a triple after an umpire crew review.
10:32: Crowd to its feet for a McCutchen bases-loaded at-bat … but he grounds out to third on the first pitch from Juan Nicasio. Three baserunners but nothing across for the Pirates.
10:45: Two scoreless innings for Caminero, including three strikeouts. Let’s see if it leads to anything.
10:55: What looks like a sellout crowd has been rejuvenated in the bottom of the seventh. Kang was hit by a Jim Johnson pitch, then back-to-back singles by pinch hitter Pedro Alvarez and Cervelli brought in a run. 5-4 with Alvarez at third and one out.
10:58: And we are tied at PNC. Walker’s shallow fly to left forced Andre Ethier to dive to make the catch. Alvarez tags and scores. It’s 5-5.
11:06: Not much of a Marte partay, but it got the job done. Infield dribbler scores the go-ahead run. Pirates lead for the first time, 6-5.
11:07: Make it 8-5 on McCutchen’s one-hopper through the left side. We’ve officially reached the level of noise heard last in the Cardinals series before the all-star break. Scary loud.
11:11: Ramirez drops an RBI hit into center. Don Mattingly finally comes to get Johnson after 10 Pirates come to the plate. Pittsburgh up 9-5.
Jung Ho Kang rounds the bases after his three-run home run in the seventh. — GETTY
11:15: What is happening? Kang just mashed the first pitch from Joel Peralta deep into the right-field stands. A nine-run seventh and they’re still batting. 12-5 Pirates.
11:28: Kike Hernandez homered off Hughes in the eighth, 12-6 Pirates. Here’s my ink-covered scorecard.
11:31: They’re having a bit of fun tonight. Cervelli puts a Peralta offering off the left-field rotunda for a massive solo homer. 13-6 … insert football-score joke here.