Pirates 2013

[mister b]

Brewers 9 Bucs 3

Well, some nights you just don't have it and Liriano didn't tonight but don't put the blame all on his shoulders. This game should have been an old fashioned slugfest but the Bucco bats were a dismal 2-10 with RISP. Brewers were 5-11. This was the difference.

Bucs can take some pride in the fact that they have proven that not only can they beat their old nemisis the Brewers as the Pirates win the season series 12-7, but they also threw the monkey off their backs by going 5-4 in Miller Park this year. This is something that hasn't happened very much over the years.

Some signs of life in the Pirate offense, McCutchen continues to hit well and his power has returned with his 2nd homer in as many days. Late season pickups Byrd, Buck and Monreau are smacking the ball around with authority as these 3 seem to relish being in the Pirate clubhouse and in a pennent race.

Even with the loss and the Cardinals 16 inning win over the Redlegs, the Bucs still lead the NL Central by 1 game and will go into the weekend series in St Louis with the lead. Goal is to win the series and leave with the lead.

Bucs have the fewest home games left on the schedule between them, the Redbirds and Redlegs, so their row is the toughest to hoe right now.

Sailing down the big muddy to St Louie.

HOIST THE COLOURS MATE!!!

LETS BRING SILVER TO THE STEEL CITY!!!

LETS GO BUCS!!!

[mister b]

Pirates bounce back from the debacle sweep in St Louis to stay 1 game back of the Cards in the NL Central by beating the Rangers 1-0 and 5-4.

Now that a winning season is secured, we battle for the NL Central crown the hard way; no more head to head matchups vs the first place Cards. But still 6 games left vs the Reds.

Burnett takes the hill in game 3 as the Bucs go for the rare road sweep. Then we sail home for the last home stand (11 games) of the season before we end the regular season with a 6 game road trip that finishes up in the Queen City.

HOIST THE COLOURS MATE!!!

ALL HANDS ON DECK!!!

MAKE FULL SAIL FOR OCTOBER LADS!!!

LETS GO BUCS!!!

[Black Panther]

The Bucs set sail for home after sweeping the Rangers! Very good outing for A.J. today.Got a little rocky late but we sailed through.Big Homer from Barmes too...He seems to have a nack for that it seems..When you least expect it."How Sweet It Is"

[mister b]

Last home stand of the season starts tonight with a 4 game set vs the Cubbies. Then 4 vs the Swinging Friars and 3 vs the Redlegs.

Bucs send out rookie All-star Locke to face Rusin.

To keep pace with the division leading Cards the Buccos need to take 3 of 4 in this series but we need to do it 1 game at a time and not watch the scoreboard.

Late season pickups Byrd and Morneau have performed well and are pretty much every day starters. Our other late season pickup Buck is a solid backup at catcher to Martin.

Defense has been solid all year and needs to remain as such.

Pitching...well, it has been great but arms are getting tired. Grilli is back but right now I would keep Melancon in the closer role and let Grilli get a couple more outings under his belt. Would be nice if we could get Wandy back as a starting pitcher but that may not happen.

Offense...needs to continue to improve. Cut down on strikeouts, especially with RISP. Put the ball in play more and put pressure on the defense. Play station to station baseball and play smart on the basepaths. McCutchen has been a solid MVP candidate down the stretch and during August his bat was hot and had power. He is our offensive engine.

At the start of the season I had hoped for a winning season, we have that, and the pressure of a playoff race to get this team ready for a title run next year. Never did I think with 17 games left we would be 1 game back of the NL Central lead. Well, this year is now next year. No reason to settle for a winning season and a 1 game wildcard play in game. Lets go for the title. 11 games at home then 6 on the road (3 vs Chicago and 3 vs Cincy) to close out the regular season. Winning the title will be hard as we have the toughest remaining schedule as opposed to what the Cards and Reds will be facing and we close out on the road.

HOIST THE COLOURS MATE!!!

EXTRA POWDER FOR THE BIGS GUNS!!!

HELMSMAN, SET THE COURSE FOR OCTOBER!!!

LETS GO BUCS!!!

[mister b]

Bucs 3 Cubs 1

All-star pitching performance by Bucco pitcher Locke 7IP 1 R 3 H 1 BB 5 Ks.

Shark tank in relief 2 IP 0 R 1 H 0 BB 1 K.

Error free defense with a couple of Sportcenter 10 gems.

Offense with some timely hitting and 2-5 RISP. Sprinkle in 3 BB and only 3Ks as we put the ball in play and put pressure on the defense.

Brewers beat the Cards.

All this adds up to a first play tie with the Cards. Bucs won the season series vs the Cards so we own the tie breaker if we end the regular season in a first tie with St Louis and therefore, we would lay claim the NL Central crown.

Pirates send out Morton to the hill vs Arrieta in game 2.

Games 2,3 and 4 are sellouts.

HOIST THE COLOURS MATE!!!

GIVE NO QUARTER AND TAKE NO QUARTER!!!

LETS GO BUCS!!!

[mister b]

Cubs 5 Bucs 4

Blame this one on Hurdle and Grilli.

Bucs tie it up with 3 back-to-back-to-back homers after spotting the Cubbies a 3 run lead and then get the go ahead run in the 6th to go up 4-3.

Hurdle brings Grilli in for some work in the 7th and he gives up a walk and 2 hits which includes a game winning 2 run blast.

Grilli needs work but not in these situations. His velocity is still down. This is his 2nd blown save. Hurdle still plans on using him but I have my doubts. Gomez and others have done a fine job in middle relief. Watson is doing very well as the setup man and Melancon has done just as good as the closer. No need to upset the apple cart this late in the season. This will backfire on Hurdle.

Cards win in extras on a walkoff passed ball (seriously?!?! ) so the Bucs are 1 game back. They should still be tied with the Redbirds.

Pirates send out Cole to face Baker in game 3.

HOIST THE COLOURS MATE!!!

WEATHER THE STORM LADS!!!

HELMSMAN, STEADY AS SHE GOES!!!

LETS GO BUCS!!!

[mister b]

Bucs 2 Cubs 1

Bucs are 27-21 in 1 run games this season.

Cole gives another quality start for the Pirates; 7 IP 1 R 5 H 3 BB 7 Ks.

Shark tank comes on in relief with Watson and Melancon; 2 IP 0 R 0 H 0 BB 1 K to seal the deal.

Bucco offense was only 5 hits but it included 2 big home runs; Tabata to tie and Byrd with the game winner. We were 0-1 witn RISP and only 5 Ks. Just enough.

Pirates go for the series win on Sunday as they send Liriano to face Wood.

Seattle beat the Cards in St Louis so we are back into a first place tie with the Cards.

HOIST THE COLOURS MATE!!!

SEND EM TO DAVEY JONES' LOCKER!!!

DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES!!!

LETS GO BUCS!!!

[Orange and Brown]

I said at the beginning of the season that Tue Bucks would be fighting for a wildcard in September........


I was wrong......

They have a shot to take the Central!!
I still hope my Reds can close that 2.5 game gap though.

[mister b]

Bucs 3 Cubs 2

Liriano was pretty darn good. 6 IP 2 R 3 H 4 BB 4 Ks.

Shark tank in relief with 3 pitchers was nearly perfect. 3 IP 0 R 0 H 1 BB 2 Ks.

Offense was just enough; scoring on a wild pitch, a solo home run and a key 2 out single to plate the game winning RBI in the 8th.

Pirates welcome the Swinging Friars to PNC Park for a 4 game set.

Buccos send Burnett to face Cashner in game 1.

Cards also won so we are still tied for first in The NL Central.

HOIST THE COLOURS MATE!!!

FULL SAIL TO OCTOBER ME HARDIES!!!

LETS GO BUCS!!!

[Black Panther]

The ship sprung a little leak this week in losing 3 of 4 to SD.But we remain only 1 game out of first with nine games to play.Big win today in beating SD,10-1.And what a catch by Tony Sanchez! It might be the best I've ever seen."How Sweet It Is"

[mister b]

Reds 6 Bucs 5 F/10

Hurdle wastes a very good pitching performance by Liriano and a good Bucco offensive performance by getting outmanaged by Dusty Baker.

I can forgive Mercer for the 2 out throwing error in the bottom of the 9th that led to 3 unearned Redleg runs to tie it up because he is a rookie and he will be expected to be the opening day SS for us in 2014. However, Hurdle should have done 3 things in the bottom of the 9th...

First, put in Barmes as a defensive replacement at SS for Mercer. Go with the experience for an inning to get the win.

Second, when Hamilton was put in as a pinch runner at first, at least second out your catcher, if not your pitching coach, to discuss how you are going to handle his speed.

Finally, everybody in the park and watching on tv knew Hamilton was going on the first pitch so Hurdle should have called for 2 or 3 straight throw overs to first to keep Hamilton near the bag and on the first pitch home, it should have been a called pitchout because you know he is going. Unreal.

I totally blame this loss on Hurdle. Nobody should get outmanaged by Dusty Baker.

Tirade over.

Bucs are now tied with Reds for 2nd in the NL Central. Neither team is secured a playoff spot, yet. Washington is 8-2 in their last 10 games.

These last 3 series for the Bucs, 3 vs Reds at home, 3 on the road vs the Cubs and 3 more on the road vs the Reds to end the season have to be treated as 3 seperate playoff series. Bucs need to take 2 of 3 in each series.

Game 2 has the Bucs sending out Burnett to face Bailey.

Pirate bats owe Burnett big time in run support. In AJ's 13 games at PNC Park he has given up 3 runs or less in every game but has very little to show for a very good pitching year.

Bucs and Reds series tied at 7 wins each. If they end the regualr season tied, head to head matchup record will be the tie breaker.

HOIST THE COLOURS MATE!!!

ALL HANDS ON DECK!!!

LETS GO BUCS!!!

[Black Panther]

The reason we lost last night's game was because baker went to his bush league tactics of hitting McCutchen and in turn got Hurdle thrown out of the game.And unlike baker who would still be managing his team from the tunnel, Hurdle did the right thing and went to his office.So those late inning decisions were made by Bannister, not Hurdle.But the Bucs got a measure of revenge tonight in a 4-2 win...How Sweet It Is"

[mister b]

The reason we lost last night's game was because baker went to his bush league tactics of hitting McCutchen and in turn got Hurdle thrown out of the game.And unlike baker who would still be managing his team from the tunnel, Hurdle did the right thing and went to his office.So those late inning decisions were made by Bannister, not Hurdle.But the Bucs got a measure of revenge tonight in a 4-2 win...How Sweet It Is"

My bad. I thought Hurdle was still calling the shots from the tunnel or at least from a cell phone. I know I would have but I wouldn't have worn a fake mustache like Bobby Valentine did several years ago while standing in the tunnel.

HOIST THE COLOURS MATE!!!

LETS GO BUCS!!!

[Black Panther]

From what I heard-and this is coming from the reds tv announcers...Which have to be the worst is baseball by the way.I think If I had to put up with that rag tag outfit more than a series I would give up watching baseball.But, they said Hurdle went back to his office and let Jeff call the shots.Personally, unless Liriano was totally gassed and told me so I would have let him stay in.Lets keep the faith and hopefully we'll sail into bigger and better things.

[mister b]

I have to agree on the Reds announcers. I have watched parts of a few Reds games this year when the Pirates weren't on and they aren't very good, especially "the Cowboy".

The game in question I tuned in after Cutch got hit so I didn't know Hurdle had gotten tossed. The Pirate announcers didn't make that much of a big deal about it after the fact other than between innings the home plate ump went out and warned Melancon which I thought was wrong. You hit me, I get to hit you, then you issue warnings. Plus, is he really going to hit someone in the 9th? H E L L no. Still, I would have managed from either the tunnel or even better, from my cell phone. Every game is televised in house so you know the managers go back to their office and follow the game.

I haven't lost the faith. Got a brand new jolly roger yesterday for the house.

Huge sports day in the Burgh. Pirates at 1 pm and then the Steelers host the Bears on Sunday Night Football at 8:30. The North Shore will be rockin!

I wait all day for Sunday night just to see Carrie Underwood sing.

HOIST THE COLOURS MATE!!!

LETS GO BUCS!!!

[Black Panther]

About had to vomit today listening to nine innings of George Grande.Sean Casey doesn't count because he's new to it and a former player, but the commentary and result was horrible, especially since it was over in the first inning.Let's hope to God it gets better tonight...

[Orange and Brown]

GO REDS!!!!

[mister b]

6 games left for the Buccos and all on the road. 3 vs the Cubs and 3 vs the Reds.

Playoff spot is nearly locked up. A Pirate win tonight and a National loss should mean all 3 NL Central teams are in the playoffs.

With Pittsbugh and Cincy only 2 back of the front running Cards, the divisional crown is still up for grabs.

Cincy finishes up at home vs the Mets and Pirates.

St Louis also finishes up at home vs the Nationals and Cubs.

If the Cards stumble in their final 6 and either the Reds or Bucs get hot, they can over take the Cards.

Bucs send out Morton to face Samardzija in game 1 and he has been a thorn in the Buccos side.

HOIST THE COLOURS MATE!!!

PREPARE FOR BATTLE!!!

RUN OUT THE LONG NINES AND BLAST THEM TO DAVEY JONES' LOCKER!!!

LETS GO BUCS!!!

[mister b]

Bucs 2 Cubs 1

Nail biter of a game with it ending with a play at the plate. Nothing is more exciting than that.

Morton was outstanding, again; 7 IP 1 R 3 H 1 BB 5 Ks. The shark tank finished it up with 2 IP 1 R 2 H 1 BB 1 K; while they were shakey, they got it done.

Walker with the first inning Bucco blast and then Marte with the 9th inning cannonball deck cleaner for the winner.

Only 2 R on 6 H for the Bucco offense but it was just enough.

Another monkey thrown off Pittsburgh's back. The first was the losing season streak stopped and now the post season drought stopped.

With these 2 things accomplished maybe the nerves will calm and the players can focus on winning the NL Central crown, an outside shot, but more importantly, bringing postseason baseball back to the Burgh with a few series in PNC Park. Playing in October isn't the jewel in the crown, winning in October is.

Game 2 has the Bucs sending out Cole to face Rusin.

Its the last week of the regular season and this is playoff baseball. We need to win this series and the series in Cincy.

1 game at a time.

HOIST THE COLOURS MATE!!!

LAND HO!!! MAKE FULL SAIL FOR THE PORT OF OCTOBER!!!

DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES!!!

LETS GO BUCS!!!

[Black Panther]

It sure was fun to watch the celebration last night.This is truly a team in every sense of the word.The only thing I thought was odd is that they didn't talk to A.J. in the clubhouse,maybe I missed it?