Brewers' Series Still A Big Deal

By Chad Carlson

Two weeks ago, this could’ve been a battle for first place in the N.L. Central.  Now, since one team has endured a recent 10-game losing streak while the other has won 13 of their last 15, this weekend’s series between the Pirates and Milwaukee Brewers falls into the same category as most have over the years.  There’s not much at stake, and the Brewers are expected to win easily.

The Pirates start today 10 games back of Milwaukee in the N.L. Central.  While the 10-game skid suffered against the Phillies, Cubs, and Padres have driven a lot of fans away from Bucco interest, there is still a lot for fans to cheer for over the next six weeks. 

First of all, the Pirates have had a horrible month of August thus far, and they look like a different team since the All Star break.  But, to their credit, and to the astonishment of quite a few, they traveled to San Francisco and took two of three from the World Series champion Giants at AT&T Park, a very difficult place to play. 

Pittsburgh is 2-1 so far on this road trip, with three left against a team that they are winless against so far this season in five attempts, and against a team they have lost to nine straight times dating back to last season.  The Brewers are playing as good (if not better) than anyone in baseball, and while their road woes plagued them earlier in the year, it seems they are the favorite every time they take the field, whether it be at Miller Park or elsewhere. 

So why should we believe that this series will be any different?

Throughout the course of the 2011 season, the Pirates have knocked out one obstacle after another, from drastically improving the road record, to winning series against the Phillies and Red Sox in front of record-breaking crowds, to sending three players to the All-Star game.  But the one thing they haven’t been able to accomplish yet this season has been to beat the Brewers.

This is a statement series for the Pirates.  Milwaukee has no respect for Pittsburgh as a baseball team…and up to this point, they shouldn’t.  Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder, Nyjer Morgan, and the rest of the Brewers look down on the Pirates.  They don’t respect them.  The Brewers are proof that small market teams can compete with the big guns in baseball, and they know that.  They are arrogant and they don’t believe the Pirates belong on the same field as them.

The Pirates need to take the next step as a team and prove that they do, indeed, belong on the field with the Brewers, that, while they may have too much ground to make up this season, they do belong in the conversation about the N.L. Central leaders along with the Brewers and Cardinals.

Sitting at 56-60, the Bucs still have a realistic shot at finishing above the .500 mark.  With ten games against both Milwaukee and St. Louis remaining on this year’s schedule, they can still make a lot of noise, and, at the very least, be a nuisance for both their divisional foes down the stretch.

Starting tonight, it’s time for the Pirates to take a stand against the Brewers.  If  they’re going to beat us, they’re going to need to outplay us for nine innings.  We’re not going to fold.  We’re not going to be intimidated.  We belong on this field with you.  We can compete with you.  And we’re going to beat you…in front of your home crowd.

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

Morton Pitches Six Shoutout Innings As Pirates Beat Astros

By Chad Carlson

Photo Credit: Peter Diana/Post-Gazette

The Pirates faced off against the Houston Astros this afternoon.  The Buccos were coming off a victory yesterday against the Boston Red Sox, and were looking to continue their winning ways against their N.L. Central Division foes from the lone star state.

Pittsburgh sent Charlie Morton to the mound against Houston’s Ryan Rowland-Smith.  Morton has faced scrutiny and criticism because of his performance during the regular season in past years, but no one can deny his success so far this Spring Training season.  His success would continue today as Morton pitched six shutout innings on his way to earning his first victory of the spring, as the Buccos defeated the Astros, 3-1.

Morton gave up only four hits and struck out five throughout his six innings of work today, lowering his ERA to an impressive 1.29.  Evan Meek and Chris Leroux also pitched scoreless baseball for the Buccos, while Michael Crotta gave up the only run to the Astros in the ninth inning, but held on to close the game out for Pittsburgh.  In all, the Pirates’ pitching staff gave up just five hits to Houston, which allowed them to be in control throughout the game.

While the Pirates’ offense didn’t exactly light up the scoreboard, they did just enough to get the team the victory this afternoon.  Ronny Cedeno blasted a two-run homerun in the second inning, scoring Josh Fields to give the Buccos a 2-0 lead early.  Ryan Doumit added to the lead the very next inning with an RBI triple which was deflected by Houston’s center fielder Michael Bourn, allowing Doumit to reach third base and Andy Marte to score.  That would be all the offense the Pirates would need today, as their pitching did the rest against the Astros.

With the victory today, the Buccos improve their Spring Training record to 10-14.  With another dominating performance this afternoon, Morton continues to make a strong case that he should be added to the starting pitching rotation on Opening Day.  While the opportunity is still there for the likes of Brad Lincoln and Scott Olsen, it appears as though Morton is still the leading candidate for the fifth spot in the rotation.  Regardless, it was a great performance by him today.

Other than Cedeno and Doumit, Steve Pearce had another good day at the plate for the Buccos, going 2/3 and increasing his batting average to .306 for the spring. 

One disturbing fact from today’s game was that the Pirates accumulating half as many errors as they had hits.  Four errors is unacceptable for any team, especially the Pirates as they are going to need to make the routine plays as often as possible to stay competitive with the rest of the N.L. Central and beyond.  Still it was great win for the Pirates, and they’ll look to continue their strong play tomorrow against the Minnesota Twins.

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!