Ohlendorf Ineffective In Pirates' 8-5 Loss To Diamondbacks

By Chad Carlson

Photo Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Wow, does anyone want to be in the starting pitching rotation next season?  The past few weeks have spelled disaster for Pirates’ starters, as all potential members of the 2012 rotation have been obliterated. 

Ross Ohlendorf, though, had a surprisingly solid start last Thursday against the Dodgers, giving up two runs through seven innings, while earning his first victory of the season.  The Bucs, and Ohledorf, were hoping he could continue that success this afternoon in the series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

That didn’t happen.

Ohlendorf was tattooed by the Diamondbacks’ batters today, right from the start, and he never even made it out of the third inning.  Arizona went on to win the game 8-5.

He gave up three runs in the first inning, and after getting through the second inning, he surrendered another run in third inning and loaded the bases without recording an out.  Clint Hurdle had seen enough and replaced him with Jared Hughes.

In all, Ohlendorf was charged for seven runs on seven hits through 2+ innings.  His ERA is now at 8.29.  Ouch.  Hughes was charged for one run on two hits through his inning of work.  The rest of the bullpen, though the game was out of reach, pitched scoreless baseball.

Derrek Lee was the lone positive of today’s game, going 3-4 with a homerun and two RBI’s.  With the Pirates’ current first baseman situation up in the air right now, Lee would be a welcomed returner to the club next year.  But only time will tell.

Ryan Ludwick hit a solo homerun in the second inning, and Jason Jaramillo smacked a pinch-hit RBI double in the eighth inning.  As a team, the Bucs tallied 11 hits, while leaving seven runners on base.

After falling behind 8-1, the Bucs slowly battled back, scoring a single run in the fourth, sixth, seventh, and eighth innings each.  They had a chance to creep within a single run in the eighth, but Ryan Doumit grounded out with runners on second and third to end the inning.

Today’s game marked the Pirates’ 87^th loss of the season.  More worrisome, though, is the fact that they’re struggling to get quality starts.  Jeff Karstens and Charlie Morton have continued to show glimpses of what they did earlier in the season, and are favorites to return to the rotation next year, along with Kevin Correia.  But there are two other open spots that seem far out of reach for Ohlendorf, Aaron Thompson, Brad Lincoln, or anyone else. 

The Pirates have only six games remaining on their schedule this season, three of which will be played against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park this weekend.  Pittsburgh will need to go 4-2 the rest of the way to avoid another 90-loss season.

Record Vs. Diamondbacks: 3-3

Record Vs. N.L. West: 13-20

Record On The Road: 35-43

Overall Record: 69-87

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

Morton, Pirates Snap Four Game Skid With Win Over Diamondbacks

by Zane Heiple

Photo by AP

The Pittsburgh Pirates were in need of a total team effort tonight to end the current four game slide that they were on.  Tonight’s game was reminiscent of the earlier part of the season where a strong pitching effort was backed by solid defense and a few offense bright spots that put some runs on the board.  Everything started with Charlie Morton who was lights out on the mound tonight going six innings allowing only three hits while walking three and striking out five would pick up his tenth win of the year.  He was also doing damage at the plate going 2-3 on the night.

The Pirates offense was able to get to Arizona Diamondbacks starter Dan Hudson tonight as he would only last five innings giving up three runs on seven hits while striking out four and walking three.  The Buccos would score in the first inning off of a Neil Walker double that scored Alex Presley.  Pedro Alvarez showed up tonight hitting a solo home run in the second inning to deep right field.  Run number three would cross the plate in the fifth off of a Ryan Doumit double which scored Andrew McCutchen.

Pittsburgh’s bullpen came into the fold during the seventh inning, and the beginning was very shaky.  Chris Leroux would give up two hits on eleven pitches and not record an out.  He would be replaced by Jason Grilli who would allow one of the inherited runners to score but shut the door to allow the Pirates to carry a two run lead into the eighth. 

The Buccos would get that run back and another one when Derrek Lee would hit a two run shot to left field.  This would allow even more breathing room for the pen in the eighth and ninth innings, which would be needed as Jose Veras allowed a run, while earning only one out.  He would leave the game with runners on first and third when replaced by Tony Watson.  Watson got out of the inning but not before the D-Backs collected their third run of the game when Alvarez made an errant throw to first base on a bunt by Willie Bloomquist.  Joel Hanrahan would enter in the ninth and earn his 39^th save of the year as the Pirates would go on to win 5-3.

Even in victory there were a couple of blunders.  The first was base running mistakes as Morton and Pedro Ciriaco who were picked off on the base paths.  The other was the bullpen struggling over the seventh and eighth innings.  These two teams will wrap up their regular season meetings tomorrow at 3:40.  The Pirates will send Ross Ohlendorf to the hill as he looks for another good outing heading into 2012.  The Diamondbacks will send Wade Miley and his 4.24 ERA to the bump.

Record vs. Diamondbacks:  3-2
Record vs. N.L. West:  13-19
Record on the Road:  35-42
Overall Record 69-86

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!!!

Pirates' Offensive Woes Continue In Fourth Straight Loss

By Chad Carlson

Photo Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Well as the old motto suggests, defense wins championships.  Actually, a variation that applies to baseball, perhaps more so than anything else, is that pitching wins championships.  After all, pitching was the main reason the Pirates occupied first place into mid-July. 

Pitching has also been very kind to the Arizona Diamondbacks.  In fact, it had them atop the N.L. West division by 5 games entering tonight’s contest against the Pirates at Chase Field.  Their top starter, Ian Kennedy, was looking for his 20^th victory of the season…and he had the strikeout ball working tonight.

Kennedy struck out 12 Pirates through his eight innings of scoreless baseball.  He was nearly flawless tonight, giving up only one hit, which came to Pirates’ starter Jeff Karstens in the third inning.  Bucs’ hitters looked baffled all night, but shockingly, they still had a chance to win late in the game.

Karstens pitched a fabulous game tonight for Pittsburgh, giving up one run on five hits through his six innings of work in his final start of the 2011 season.  His ERA sits at 3.38. 

In three career starts against the Diamondbacks, Karstens has given up just one earned run in 22 innings of work.

Justin Upton proved to be the difference tonight, as he belted a broken-bat 3-0 pitch from Karstens just over Alex Presley’s head in left field to give Arizona a 1-0 lead, which would be the only run scored in the game.

The Bucs had a chance in the ninth to tie the game.  Presley smacked a one-out triple to right center field, but Neil Walker and Andrew McCutchen grounded out and struck out to end the game. 

This was obviously a very frustrating loss for the Bucs.  Karstens pitched a fantastic game tonight, which is very encouraging as the Bucs head into the postseason.  The offense’s strikeout woes continued tonight, which is unacceptable.  The Pirates managed just two hits all night.

It won’t get much easier for the Pirates tomorrow as Daniel Hudson takes the hill for Arizona against Charlie Morton. 

Record Vs. Diamondbacks: 2-2

Record Vs. N.L. West: 12-19

Record On The Road: 34-42

Overall Record: 68-86

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

Pirates Crushed by Dodgers

By Zane Heiple

Photo by Getty Images

The Pittsburgh Pirates were dominated today by the Los Angeles Dodgers today in the finale of their four game series.  Since nothing went well for Pittsburgh, I thought instead of giving you the reader a written analysis of the game, I would do a “By The Numbers” piece to show just how Los Angeles outplayed the Pirates.  Since the Buccos lost by two touchdowns, here are fourteen reasons for the defeat and what came because of it.

1 – Number of runs scored by Pittsburgh in a 15-1 defeat by the Dodgers.

2 – The inning in which Brad Lincoln was pulled from the game, as he would only last 1.2 innings on the day, giving up six runs on eight hits.

3 – Total bases that Dee Gordon would collect on the first hit of the game for Los Angeles.

4 – Amount of hits Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley would allow in his five innings of work.

5 – Hits by LA first baseman James Loney, who would go 5 for 6 with three RBI and two runs on the day.

6 – Hits allowed by reliever Daniel McCutchen in 1.1 innings of work.

7 – Total hits by the Pirates offense in 34 at bats.

8 – Number of pitchers the Buccos used during the game in eight innings of work.

9 – Strikeouts combined by the four LA pitchers used in the game.

10 – Men left on base by the Pittsburgh starters

11 – Number of strikes thrown by Evan Meek out of the thirty pitches he threw in 0.2 innings of work.

12 – Amount of losses in the Pirates last 18 games.

13 – Batters faced by Lincoln when he left the game with two outs in the second inning.

14 – RBI on the season for Jamey Carroll after he knocked in the first run of the game on a ground out.

Well they say that numbers don’t lie and these numbers tell the story of today’s game.  The Buccos will now head to the desert for a three game set with the N.L. West leading Arizona Diamondbacks.  Tomorrow’s game will begin at 9:40pm and feature Jeff Karstens going up against Ian Kennedy.

Record vs. Dodgers:  2-6
Record vs. N.L. West:  12-18
Record on the Road:  34-41
Overall Record:  68-85

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!!!

Pirates Manage Only Five Hits, Shut Out By Diamondbacks In Series Finale

By Chad Carlson

Photo Credit: Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

For the second straight series, the Pirates had a chance to sweep their opponent at PNC Park…and for the second time in as many chances, they came up short in the finale.  Tonight, the Pirates lost a low-scoring contest to the Arizona Diamondbacks, 2-0.

The Pirates managed only five hits tonight against four Arizona pitchers, including starter Josh Collmenter.  The rookie right-hander gave up just four hits and walked two through his five innings of work.  The bullpen took over in the sixth inning and equaled his performance, giving up only one hit through the final four innings of the game.  David Hernandez, who was responsible for the majority of the damage in the five run inning the Pirates put on in the first game of the series, picked up his second save of the season.

The Pirates’ loss tonight can’t be put on Jeff Karstens.  The right handed “spot starter,” at least, that’s how he began the season, was superb against the Diamondback hitters.  Karstens gave up only four hits and walked one batter through his seven innings.  His ERA now sits at 2.94 for the season. 

Chris Resop entered in the eighth inning and gave up the game-winning hit to Chris Young, who blasted a two-run homerun to left field to give the Diamondbacks a 2-0 lead.  Young had two of the team’s eight hits on the night.

The Pirates’ offense didn’t accumulate many hits on the evening, but they did have opportunities to score runs, leaving men in scoring position in three separate innings.  As a team, the Buccos left a total of nine men on base for the game.  Lyle Overbay struck out with runners on first and third in the opening frame, while Xavier Paul failed to reach base with runners on first and second in the seventh inning.

Hits were at a premium for the Buccos, with not a single player tallying a multi-hit game.  Andrew McCutchen reached base twice against tonight, raising his batting average to .283.  Pirates’ batters struck out a total of nine times.

This is a tough loss for the Pirates.  There are positives to take away from the game, however.  Cutch and Neil Walker continue to swing hot bats.  Karstens pitched a fantastic game, and the starting pitching impresses once again.  And Tony Watson, making his Major League debut last night, had another nice appearance tonight, giving up just one hit in a little over an inning of work. 

This home stand, thought by some to be the breaking point of the 2011 season, has been just the opposite thus far.  After taking the first two series at PNC Park from the Phillies and Diamondbacks, the Pirates now welcome the New York Mets to town for another four game series.  The two teams split their four gamer in New York last week.

Record Vs. Diamondbacks: 2-1

Record Vs. N.L. West: 9-10

Record At Home: 13-16

Overall Record: 30-31

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

Pirates Rally For Five in the Eighth, Beat Diamondbacks 8-5

By Chad Carlson

Photo Credit: Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

After winning the weekend series over the Philadelphia Phillies, the Pirates looked to continue their recent home success against the Arizona Diamondbacks, who came into town for a three game series. 

Despite a sluggish performance from Kevin Correia, the Pirates’ offense exploded late in the game, and the Bucs took game one of the series tonight by a final score of 8-5 at PNC Park.

Coming into the game with a 3.40 ERA and looking to win his Major-League leading ninth game, Correia lasted just five innings, giving up four runs on eight hits while walking two batters. 

Kelly Johnson hit a solo homerun off Kevin in the first inning, and Juan Miranda smacked another solo shot in the fifth.  Johnson then followed that up later in the inning with a two-run single, scoring Daniel Hudson and Ryan Roberts.  The Diamondbacks had the lead at that point, 4-3.

The Pirates’ bullpen did a phenomenal job down the stretch, limiting Arizona’s offense and keeping them within rallying distance.  Other than a solo homerun by Chris Young, the Diamondbacks were held scoreless by the likes of Daniel Moskos, Evan Meek, and Chris Resop.

The Buccos’ offense got on the board in the second inning, as Chris Snyder hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Andrew McCutchen from third base.  Ronny Cedeno slapped an RBI single, scoring Lyle Overbay.  Cutch would score again in the fourth inning.  After a leadoff double by the Pirates’ centerfielder, Overbay and Snyder scored him on back-to-back sacrifice fly balls.

The game-changer, though, came in the eighth inning.  Trailing by two runs, the Pirates scored five in the frame, taking the lead for good.  Garrett Jones led off with a pinch-hit double, and scoring on Jose Tabata’s RBI double.  Josh Harrison smacked an RBI single, scoring Tabata and tying the game, 5-5.  Xavier Paul then bunted his way on, and McCutchen walked on four pitches to load the bases with no outs.  On a 3-1 count, Lyle Overbay hammered a David Hernandez fastball into the gap, clearing the bases and giving the Bucs an 8-5 lead.

Joel Hanrahan set the Diamondbacks down in order, earning his 15^th save of the season, and putting the Pirates just one game under that elusive .500 mark.

It was a great sign to see the offense explode.  This was a huge inning from an offense that has struggled for a large part of the season.  Overbay, of course, had the big hit, but the entire lineup was responsible for the victory tonight.  Cutch was on base three times, while Chris Snyder contributed with three sacrifices and two RBI’s of his own.  Ronny Cedeno was the only Bucco to tally a multi-hit game tonight, and the Pirates made every one of their seven hits count tonight, leaving only three runners on base for the game.

Despite the come-from-behind victory, Correia’s performance was a bit discouraging.  Still, the team was able to get a win when our starting pitcher wasn’t throwing his best.  Good teams win these types of games, and that’s exactly what the Pirates did tonight.

The Buccos will look to clinch the series against the Diamondbacks tomorrow evening as they take on their former teammate, Zach Duke.  Paul Maholm will get the start for Pittsburgh.  First pitch is set for 7:05pm.

Record Vs. Diamondbacks: 1-0

Record Vs. N.L. West: 8-9

Record At Home: 12-15

Overall Record: 29-30

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

Bucco Blast From The Past: Tony Womack

by Zane Heiple

Photo By Sports Illustrated

Welcome Pirates fans to this week’s edition of Bucco Blast From The Past.  Today we look back on the career of Tony Womack.

Tony was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1991 during the seventh round of the draft.  He made his Major League debut with Pittsburgh on September 10, 1993.  From 93-96, Womack appeared in only 37 games with the Buccos.  He finally became a starter with the Pittsburgh in 1997 and would have a career year.  His stats for the year included a .278 batting average, six home runs, 50 RBI, and 60 stolen bases.  1997 would also be the first of three consecutive seasons that he was the National League Stolen Base Champion and was his only year as an All-Star.

After the 1998 season Tony was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for two minor league players.  He would spend five seasons with the Diamondbacks and was a key member of their 2001 World Series Championship team.

From 2003 to 2006, Womack would bounce around with six baseball teams including the D-Backs, Colorado Rockies, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, and Cincinnati Reds.  His final Major League appearance came with the Cubs in June of 2006.

While never a superstar, Tony Womack will be remembered by baseball fans as a reliable defender and a speed demon on the base paths.

Be sure to check back next week for another edition of Bucco Blast From The Past.

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!!!