Phillies Complete Sweep Of Pirates With Walk-Off Win In Extra Innings

By Chad Carlson

Photo Credit: Drew Hallowell/Getty Images

The Pirates entered the final game of their most recent seven game road trip trying to avoid a sweep at the hands of their cross-state rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies.  After surrendering 17 runs in the first two games of the series, the Pirates turned to Jeff Karstens to keep the Phillies’ bats under control this afternoon at Citizens Bank Ballpark.

Despite Karstens’ strong performance today, the Phillies still came up with the big hits when they needed to, coming back late to tie the Pirates and eventually stealing a walk-off victory 6-5 in 10 innings in front of their home crowd.

Phillies’ starter Vance Worley pitched six innings, giving up four runs on seven hits, while striking out seven and giving up one homerun on the afternoon.  While he earned a no-decision in the game, his ERA still sits at an impressive 2.33 for the season.

As for Karstens, he gave up just three hits on seven hits through seven innings against the stacked Phillies’ lineup. 

The Phillies took the early lead in the second inning when Raul Ibanez hammered a solo homerun off Karstens.  It would be the first of three hits for Ibanez, who also had another homerun as well as a double, which proved to be very costly to the Pirates.

Pittsburgh took their first lead of the series in the fifth inning when Xavier Paul slapped an RBI single to left field, scoring Brandon Wood and Eric Fryer.  The lead didn’t last long, though, as Jimmy Rollins singled home Brian Schneider and Michael Martinez to give the Phillies the lead right back, 3-2.

Lyle Overbay answered for Pittsburgh with a surprising two-run homerun in the sixth inning, scoring Neil Walker and giving the Bucs a 4-3 lead.  Garrett Jones’ RBI double in the seventh gave the Pirates a 5-3 advantage, and, at the time, it seemed as though the Pirates had that very important insurance run for their almost-always reliable bullpen.

Ibanez’s second hit of the game, which was a two-run homerun to deep left center field, came off Jose Veras and also scored Hunter Pence, tying the game, 5-5.

After the teams traded zeros over the next few half innings, Ibanez closed out the game for Philadelphia with an RBI double off the Bucs' Tony Watson to right field, scoring Pence once again.  The Phillies, and the capacity audience at Citizens Bank Ballpark, celebrated fanatically, while the Pirates walked off the field in disappointment.

Coming into this series, we, as fans, were hoping for one victory against the Phillies.  Unfortunately, the Pirates’ starters gave up the lead early, the bullpen had a few hiccups, and the offense simply couldn’t keep up with the high-powered Phillies’ lineup.  While it is very disappointing to be swept in this series, it’s important for everyone to realize just where the Pirates stand in comparison to the top teams in the National League.

The Phillies are a phenomenal team, with a complete starting pitching rotation, a dominating bullpen, and an offense that is stacked from top to bottom.  They are the team to beat in the National League, and they proved that in this series against a Pirates’ team who was beginning to garner quite a bit of national attention.

Thankfully, the Pirates are returning home to face a couple of teams at the bottom of the National League standings.  First up are the Chicago Cubs, who will come to PNC Park for a four game series beginning tomorrow night.  The Pirates will send Paul Maholm to the mound.

Record Vs. Phillies: 2-4
Record Vs. N.L. East: 12-19
Record On The Road: 28-27
Overall Record: 54-52

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

Pirates Salvage Series With Win Over Cardinals In Extras

by Zane Heiple

Photo by AP

The Pittsburgh Pirates came into Sunday’s game with the St. Louis Cardinals in the midst of a three game losing streak and were a day away from heading on a seven game road trip against the top two teams in the National League.  This game may have not been a must win, but it was very important to notch a win against their Central Division rival.

Charlie Morton had an ok start going 5.1 innings giving up three runs on six hits while striking out three and walking five.  This has seemed to be the trend of the pitching staff lately after they got off to a red hot start to begin the season.  Outings like this have showed how the Pirates lack of offense is of much concern to the team if they hope to remain a contender in the division race.

The offense received some help from some unlikely sources today.  This was important considering the likes of Neil Walker and Andrew McCutchen went a combined 1-7.  Eric Fryer was able to come around and tie the game at one in the third inning.  He would reach base on a single and then while stealing second base, an error by SS Ryan Theriot would allow him to reach third.  Chase d’Arnaud brought Fryer home on a double.

After the Cardinals regained the lead in the top of the fifth, Pittsburgh was able to tie the game when Morton helped his own cause on a sacrifice fly that would score Ronny Cedeno.  St. Louis did not waste any time regaining the lead in the sixth as the first batter of the inning, Colby Rasmus, hit a solo home run to right field. 

The seventh inning looked like it could have been a big one for the Buccos, as Cedeno would lead off with a double and would be followed up by a Fryer single.  Unfortunately, Steve Pearce would ground into a double play, that would score a run, but would put an end to any thought of the big inning occurring.

The Pittsburgh bullpen closed the door on the Cards offense as the combo of Jason Grilli, Chris Resop, Joel Hanrahan, and Joe Beimel pitched 4.2 innings allowing only four hits and not allowing a run.  This type of pitching allowed the team to win it in the tenth inning.  Xavier Paul would single with one out to give the Pirates a sign of life.  He would then steal second and advance to third on a throwing error by Gerald Laird.  This allowed d’Arnaud to be the hero with a sacrifice fly to center allowing Paul to cross the plate and give the Pirates a 4-3 victory.

The Pirates stepped up and avoided the sweep today.  What impressed me the most was that they were able to capitalize on the mistakes made by the Cardinals, and they did it players that no one really knew about before the season started.  With this win and the Milwaukee Brewers loss, the Pirates will head to Atlanta tomorrow in a three way tie for first place.  The four game series with the Braves will begin tomorrow with first pitch scheduled for 7:00.  The pitching matchup will feature James McDonald of the Pirates taking on Tim Hudson of the Braves.

Record vs. Cardinals:  3-3
Record vs. N.L. Central:  25-16
Record at Home:  26-25
Overall Record:  52-47

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!!!

Rodriguez's RBI Single, Pirates' Mistakes Cap Nationals' Comeback In Game Two Of Doubleheader

By Chad Carlson

Photo Credit: Greg Fiume/Getty Images

After an exciting game in the afternoon, the Buccos and Nationals were back at it again this evening for the second game of the teams’ doubleheader.  Unfortunately for the Pirates, missed opportunities, lack of defensive fundamentals, and errors assisted the Nationals, as they tallied a come-from-behind win over the Buccos 4-3.

Brad Lincoln made his first Major League start of the season for Pittsburgh, going six innings while giving up two runs on four this, while walking three and striking out four batters.  His mound opponent, Washington’s John Lannan, lasted seven innings, giving up three runs on six hits. 

The Nationals took the lead in the second inning.  After a leadoff walk to Jayson Werth, Lincoln gave up a single to Rick Ankiel, putting runners on first and third with one out.  Wilson Ramos then grounded out to shortstop, scoring Werth from third.

The lead wouldn’t last long, though, as the Pirates responded with two runs of their own in the third frame.  After Eric Fryer recorded his first Major League hit with a single to left field, Chase d’Arnaud singled him home, tying the game 1-1.  Andrew McCutchen broke the tie with an RBI double to deep right field, and the Bucs led 2-1. 

That was short lived as well, however, as the Nats responded immediately with a run of their own.  Lincoln walked Roger Bernadina, who would eventually score on Ryan Zimmerman’s fielder’s choice, tying the game 2-2 at the end of the third.

The Pirates took the lead in the seventh inning.  Matt Diaz singled, then moved over to third base on Neil Walker’s single.  Josh Harrison grounded into a double play, but Diaz was able to score on the play, giving the Bucs a 3-2 lead.

Daniel McCutchen nearly gave the lead away in the bottom half of the inning, but after walking Bernadina and Danny Espinosa, he struck out Zimmerman to end the frame.

The wheels fell off the Pirates’ bullpen in the eighth inning.  Entering the inning with a 3-2 lead, the Buccos gave up two runs.  Tony Watson was on the mound for both runs, though all the blame shouldn’t be placed on him.  Brian Bixler attempted to steal third base, and Eric Fryer’s throw to the bag was wild, bouncing off Brandon Wood.  Bixler scored on the play, tying the game.  Ivan Rodriguez broke the tie with an RBI single to shallow right, scoring Ankiel.

Drew Storen came in and shut down the Pirates in the ninth inning to record his 20^th save of the season.  Watson suffered the loss for Pittsburgh, his first of the season.

This was a game the Pirates simply gave away.  While there is certainly plenty of blame to go around in this one, all cannot be placed on Watson.  The Pirates squandered a number of opportunities to stretch the lead in the latter innings.  Garrett Jones left two runners on in the seventh inning.  Neil Walker, while managing one hit tonight, still didn’t look comfortable at the plate.  His .246 batting average, and the fact that Clint Hurdle lowered him to sixth in the lineup, should tell us all something…Walker is struggling mightily.

Brad Lincoln did a pretty nice job for Pittsburgh tonight.  His fastball clocked up to 95 tonight, and he used it consistently throughout his six innings of work.  The three walks were certainly concerning, but he got out of a few jams effectively and kept the team in the game. 

Andrew McCutchen continued his hot streak tonight with three more hits, including a triple, double, and single, along with an RBI.  He was stranded on base all three times he reached.  His batting average now sis at .289 and is by far the team’s biggest threat, although it will be interesting to see if he’ll be in the lineup tomorrow afternoon.

The Buccos drop to one game over .500, and they continue to struggle against the Nationals in Washington.  Tomorrow is a huge game for Pittsburgh.  With a victory, it will secure them another winning road trip, will push them back to two games over .500, and will even things up with the Nationals this season.

Kevin Correia will make the start tomorrow afternoon for the Pirates, while the Nationals will send Jason Marquis to the mound. 

Record Vs. Nationals: 3-4

Record Vs. N.L. East: 9-14

Record On The Road: 23-21

Overall Record: 42-41

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

Meet Your Bucs: Eric Fryer

by Zane Heiple

Photo by web.minorleaguebaseball.com

A few days ago Fans From The Stands reported on how the Pittsburgh Pirates would be making a few moves with their roster to get them through interleague play and a doubleheader.  Today they made a move that was not originally in those plans, when they designated catcher Dusty Brown for assignment and called up Eric Fryer from AAA Indianapolis.  Fryer will be the seventh catcher to be on the Buccos roster this season.

Eric Fryer is a former tenth round pick of the 2007 MLB Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers.  He would become a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2009, along with Casey Erickson, when they came over from the New York Yankees for Eric Hinske.  Many scouts consider him to be an athletic catcher with good speed and a strong arm.  He spent the 2009-10 seasons in the Pittsburgh organization at High A and was with AA Altoona to start the 2011 season.

His combined stats with Altoona and Indianapolis are a .315 batting average with seven home runs and twenty-five RBIs.  Defensively behind the plate he has posted a .986 fielding position, while throwing out 25% of runners who have tried to steal.  He has played outfield in the Minor Leagues, but since the Pirates only have two catchers on the roster he will be used to back up Michael McKenry.

Stay tuned to www.fansfromthestands.com for more roster updates as they happen.

Pirates' First Round Of Cuts Sends Four To Minor League Camp

Photo Credit: Christopher Horner (Tribune Review)

The Pittsburgh Pirates made their first round of Spring Training cuts.  The announcement was made this morning, reassigning four players to Minor League camp, including Tony Sanchez, Eric Fryer, Cesar Valdez and Donnie Veal.

The most notable name on this list is Sanchez, who will begin the year in Double-A presumably.  Tony was the team’s first-round pick in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, and so far this spring, he has been tagging along behind Chris Snyder and Ryan Doumit at the catcher position.

The reason given for sending Sanchez down in the first wave of cuts was so he could begin getting consistent playing time to prepare for the season.  It doesn’t make sense for a young talent like Sanchez to sit on the bench throughout the Pirates’ Spring Training when he could further develop at the minor league level.

“This was an opportunity for him to get to experience a Major League clubhouse environment,” Pirates’ manager Clint Hurdle said. “As we put this new group together, we wanted him in here for a few weeks to embrace him, to encourage him on the heels of last season.”

Fryer played in Class A last year with Sanchez, but missed a lot of time due to injury.  It is unknown whether he will begin the season in Bradenton or if he will move to Altoona to be Sanchez’s backup with the Curve.

Obviously, Veal is in a much different situation than the rest of his teammates sent to Minor League camp today.  Donnie, of course, is working through his rehab program following Tommy John surgery, and while he wasn’t expected to be fully recovered at this point, the Pirates aren’t ruling out a May or June return.

Finally, Valdez’s spot on the Pirates’ roster is still in discussion.  Acquired when the Pirates traded Zach Duke to the Arizona Diamondbacks, Valdez will most likely be starting the season in Triple-A Indianapolis, at least until the Pirates decide on whether he is best suited for a starting or relieving role.

The Pirates now have 58 players remaining in Major League camp.  As more cuts and moves are made, we will keep you updated the moment the word comes in. 

Comments on the cuts?  Send us an email at comments@fansfromthestands.com or fansfromthestands@yahoo.com

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

***Jennifer Langosch of MLB.com, and Pirates.com contributed to this article***