Fielder's Three Home Runs Power Brewers Past Pirates

by Zane Heiple

Photo by AP

If these are the final days of Prince Fielder being a member of the Milwaukee Brewers, than he is going out with a bang.  Tonight, Fielder would go 3-3 with three home runs and five RBI, as Milwaukee downed the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-4 in game two of this three game series.

Prince would hit his first home run of the game in the third inning to deep right field, to tie the game at one.  This was then followed by a Rickie Weeks homer to give the Brewers a 2-1 lead.  Pittsburgh regained the lead in the fifth inning.  Ross Ohlendorf singled home Ronny Cedeno to tie the game and then Josh Harrison would bring home Ohlendorf with a single.

Ohlendorf did not do anything tonight to prove his worthiness to be in the rotation for the 2012 season.  He would last only five innings giving up four runs on five hits with three strikeouts and walks.  In his final inning of work he would give up his second home run to Fielder, which gave the Brew Crew a 4-3 lead.

The Pirates were able to tie the game in the sixth when Neil Walker scored on a bases loaded walk.  This lead would not last long, as Fielder would strike again in the bottom of the seventh inning, this time off of Jared Hughes, for his third homer of the game and which gave Milwaukee a 6-4 lead.

These two teams will square off one final time this year in the final regular season game of 2011.  The Buccos will be looking to avoid a 90 loss season, while the Brewers will look to gain some momentum as they head into the playoffs.  First pitch for tomorrow night’s game is scheduled for 8:10.  So do yourself a favor and check out the Pirates one final time this year.

Record vs. Brewers:  3-11
Record vs. N.L. Central:  39-40
Record on the Road:  36-44
Overall Record 72-89

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!!!

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!

Marlins Score Nine In 3rd, Rout Pirates 13-4 In Series Opener

By Chad Carlson

Photo Credit: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

Ouch. 

With just 19 games left in the 2011 season, the Pirates are looking to build some momentum to carry over to next year.  Games like tonight’s series opener against the Florida Marlins is the complete opposite of what they, or their fans, needed. 

The Marlins tagged Ross Ohlendorf & Co. for nine runs on ten hits in the third inning alone, setting a franchise record, on their way to a rout of the Bucs by a 13-4 score.

Ohlendorf fell to 0-2 on his severely abbreviated season, with his ERA inflating rapidly to a disgusting 8.03.  He gave up six runs (all earned) on ten hits through just two innings.  After Clint Hurdle pulled him without recording an out in the third, the beating got even worse.  Daniel McCutchen was only able to retire two batters, while he gave up four more runs on four hits, before being replaced by Aaron Thompson.

Thompson was able to get the Bucs out of the third inning, but he didn’t fair well either over the next couple innings, surrendering three more runs to the Marlins’ bats on six hits though his two innings of work.  All in all, this was a horrible game for Pittsburgh and their fans, one that everyone will be glad to have behind them quickly.

Omar Infante was the star for the Marlins tonight, going 3-6, including two homeruns, while tallying five RBI’s.  As a team, Florida collected 22 hits, while eight different players had multi-hit performances.

As for the Bucs’ offense, it was a bit of a different look tonight, with Pedro Ciricao getting the start at shortstop and Josh Harrison once again starting at third base instead of Pedro Alvarez.  Ciriaco played well tonight, going 2-4 with two RBI’s.  Alex Presley and Derrek Lee added the other two RBI’s for the Pirates.  Alvarez went 1-2 with a run scored tonight, while Andrew McCutchen and Neil Walker added a hit a piece.

Obviously, this was a horrific game to watch as a Pirates’ fan.  There’s so much more to the frustration than just what’s on the surface.  Yes, they gave up 13 runs and 22 hits to the last place team in the N.L. East.  But there’s much more to this.  Ross Ohlendorf is one of the projected competitors for the starting rotation next year.  This doesn’t exactly make a strong statement. 

Aaron Thompson is another candidate to maybe have a shot, at least in Spring Training, to show the team what he can do on the mound.  He was completely ineffective tonight as well. 

On a bright note, Jared Hughes had a nice appearance tonight, pitching 1.1 innings of scoreless ball in the losing effort.

Jeff Locke will make the start tomorrow night in the second game of this 3-game set.  With this being the next-to-last home stand of the 2011 season, Pirates’ fans are dying to take positives away from each and every game, but that’s rather difficult on nights like tonight.  Locke represents a potential piece to the 2012 puzzle, and our first look at him will be tomorrow night.

Record Vs. Marlins: 0-4

Record Vs. N.L. East: 12-20

Record At Home: 33-40

Overall Record: 66-78

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

Meet Your Bucs: Jeff Locke and Jared Hughes

by Zane Heiple

The Pittsburgh Pirates were busy making roster moves on Tuesday.  Included in those moves was the bringing up of two players who we have not seen in Pittsburgh uniforms during this season.  Left-handed pitcher Jeff Locke and right-handed pitcher Jared Hughes will make their 2011 debuts for the Pirates the next time they are called upon by manager Clint Hurdle.

Photo by bleacherreport.com

Locke is a former second round pick of the Atlanta Braves in the 2006 draft.  He came to the Pittsburgh organization on June 3, 2009 along with Charlie Morton and Gorkys Hernandez in exchange for Nate McClouth.  Once with the Buccos he was assigned to Class A Lynchburg and then Bradenton when the team was moved.  In July of 2010 he was promoted to AA Altoona.  Locke remained in Altoona for the rest of 2010 and appeared in 23 games for the team in 2011.  While in Altoona he posted a 7-8 record, an ERA of 4.03, and would strike out 114 batters to go with 46 walks.  After he was promoted to AAA Indianapolis, he would go 1-2 with a 2.22 ERA, while striking out 25 and walking 9.

Photo by pirates.scout.com

Hughes was a fourth round pick of the Buccos during the 2006 draft.  During his time in the Pirates minor league organization, he has been at all levels.  He would begin the 2011 season with the AA Altoona Curve.  In Altoona he would start 11 of the 13 games he appeared in posting a 3-4 record while posting an ERA of 4.09.  His time with AAA Indianapolis would see him come out of the bullpen 35 times and strike out 45 batters while walking 18.  When summoned out of the bullpen he would post a 3-1 record and an ERA 2.11.

The stage is set for both of these players to show that they are ready to handle facing Major League batters when given the opportunity.  Management has yet to announce if they will call up any other players from the minors before the 2011 season ends at the end of this month. 

Alvarez Among Many Moves Made Today By Pirates

By Chad Carlson

Photo Credit: Matt Freed/Post-Gazette

As expected, the Pirates are going to have a few new faces as well as a few others we have already seen earlier this year when they take the field for the final few weeks of the 2011 season.

Several moves were announced earlier today that should give Pirates’ management and us, the fans, a good look at some minor league talent for next season.

Among the call-ups today was Pedro Alvarez, who we really don’t need to reference too much.  We all know the story.  The guy has amazing pedigree and potential, but thus far, has been a huge disappointment.  That being said, with the Indians’ season over, the Pirates had no choice but to call him up for the final few weeks of the Pirates’ season. 

Daniel Moskos and Aaron Thompson were both also recalled from AAA today.  Moskos, of course, was the Pirates’ fourth overall pick in the 2007 amateur draft, and has already been up with the club multiple times this season due to injuries to other relief staff members.  Thompson made his debut with the Bucs on August 24, 2011 in an afternoon game against the Milwaukee Brewers, pitching 4.1 scoreless winnings as the Pirates downed the Brew-Crew, 2-0.

Evan Meek was also activated from the 60-day disabled list today.  Coming off a huge season in 2010, which was also his first full season in the Majors, Meek has struggled with injury throughout the majority of this year, and hasn’t pitched for the Pirates since June.

Left-handed pitcher Jeff Locke and right-hander Jared Hughes were also called up and are expected to contribute for Pittsburgh as well in September.

To make room for the moves on the 40-man roster, Kevin Correia and Paul Maholm were transferred to the 60-day disabled list, officially ending their season.  Maholm and Corriea were the team’s top two starters entering this season, but were both on a steady decline since the All-Star Break, before landing on the disabled list.  For Maholm, amidst all the rumors about his contract and disappointing performance, he may never pitch for the Pirates again.

Neal Huntington said over the weekend that outfielder Gorkys Hernandez and infielder Matt Hague will not be included in the September call-ups.  The Pirates’ GM referenced Derrek Lee, Ryan Ludwick, as well as the other returning injury-plagued Buccos as main reasons why Hernandez and Hague won’t be sent up to the big club this month.  This tells me that the Pirates are seriously considering bringing Lee and Ludwick (definitely Lee) back to the team next year.  The final few weeks of this season and the offseason will prove to be monumentally important to the Pirates.

Be sure to stay tuned to Fans From The Stands for all of the progress on the club and its newest members.  Here’s to the Buccos finishing off the 2011 campaign on a positive note, hopefully carrying some momentum into the offseason and into 2012 Spring Training.

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!