Bucco Beat: Episode 20

In this most recent edition of Bucco Beat, the guys broadcast from the home of the Pirates, PNC Park, just minutes before the first pitch between the Marlins and Pirates.

Zane and Chad discuss the Pirates' recent performances of September call-ups, look ahead to the end of the season and the decisions waiting for them in the offseason, and much more.

Being recorded at PNC Park, today's podcast features some interesting background noises as well...the many Pirates' fans piling into PNC Park for Fireworks Night!

Bucco Beat: Episode 20

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!

McCutchen's 2-HR's Lifts Pirates Over Astros

by Zane Heiple

Photo by Getty Images

The Pittsburgh Pirates played their 18^th and final game against the Houston Astros for 2011 tonight.  This game was a back and forth battle ending with the Buccos winning 5-4.  Andrew McCutchen was the star of tonight going 2-3 with two HR, four RBI, and drawing one walk.

Houston started the game off hot as they would score three runs in the first inning.  These runs would come off of back to back homers.  The first would come from Carlos Lee who smacked a two run shot to left field.  Matt Downs would follow that up with a solo shot to left field.  Pittsburgh would answer back in the bottom part of the inning with McCutchen’s first home run of the night this one to center field. 

The Astros regained that four run lead in the fourth inning when Clint Barmes hit a home run to left field to make the score 4-1.  That lead did not last long.  Cutch would come to the plate with two runners on in the fifth inning with two outs and gave the crowd at PNC Park plenty to cheer about as he hit his second homer of the night, this time to left field to tie the game.

The Pirates would score the winning run on a crazy play in the eighth inning.  With runners on first and second and one out, Jason Jaramillo would single home Chase d’ Arnaud.  After d’Arnaud scored the go ahead run, the inning ending double play was turned on a 9-2-6-9-2 double play.

With all these home runs tonight, both starting pitcher did not go very deep into the game.   Pirate’s starter Brian Burres would only last 3.2 innings giving up four runs on seven hits while allowing three home runs.  Astros starter J.A. Happ wasn’t much better going five innings giving up four runs on five hits, while striking out eight and walking four.  The Pirates bullpen stepped up tonight bridging the gap from starter to closer and Joel Hanrahan would earn his 36^th save of the year.

Another series win for the Buccos will lead them into a day off tomorrow.  They will return to action on Friday to begin a three game series with the Florida Marlins, which is a team that swept them back in April.  Ross “The Boss” Ohlendorf is scheduled to face Ricky Nolasco on Friday with first pitch scheduled for 7:05pm.

Record vs. Astros:  11-7
Record vs. N.L. Central:  35-36
Record at PNC Park:  33-39
Overall Record 66-77

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!!!

Myers, Astros Beat Pirates At Rainy PNC Park

By Chad Carlson

Photo Credit: AP

The Pirates faced off against the Astros in game two of their series tonight at PNC Park with six new faces in uniform.  Among others, Pedro Alvarez was back in Pittsburgh, and in the starting lineup, as the Bucs looked to take the second game, and clinch the series, against an Astros’ team that swept them at Minute Maid Park a week ago.

Brett Myers has been having a rough year for Houston, with a 3-13 record and a 4.81 ERA coming into tonight’s game.  Of course, as we’ve seen in the past, these types of situations always seem to bite the Pirates, and that’s exactly what happened tonight.  Myers pitched a spectacular game, giving up just one run on four hits through 7.2 innings, as the Astros outlasted the Bucs 4-1 in a frustrating game at PNC Park.

Despite the loss, Pittsburgh starter Brad Lincoln had another solid start, giving up just two runs on five hits through six innings.  The Pirates used a total of six pitchers tonight, all of which threw scoreless baseball with the exception of Jose Veras, who gave up a very costly pair in the ninth.

The Astros took the lead in the second inning with a pair of runs off Lincoln.  Carlos Lee led off with a single, stole second, and scored on a fielder’s choice hit by Jimmy Paredes.  Humberto Quintero’s double in the right center field gap scored Paredes, and the Astros led 2-0.

Pittsburgh cut the lead in half in the bottom half of the second.  Neil Walker smacked a one-out single, and was thrown out while trying to steal second.  On the very next pitch, Ryan Doumit hammered a solo homerun to deep right center field, getting the Bucs on the board at 2-1.

Both teams squandered opportunities to score over the next several innings.  Houston stranded two runners in the top of the fourth, and the Pirates, after getting a leadoff double from Garrett Jones, were unable to score the tying run. 

The seventh inning proved to be the biggest flop for the Astros.  With runners on first and third and one out, Myers laid down a bunt that conveniently bounced back towards Chris Resop, who flipped it to Doumit, making a great tag on Paredes, who was trying to score.  Resop then struck out Jordan Schafer to end the threat.

Pittsburgh blew a huge opportunity of their own in the eighth inning.  With two outs, Josh Harrison hit a pinch-hit ground ball back to Myers, who wildly threw past first baseman Carlos Lee, allowing Harrison to move up to second.  Wesley Wright came in for Myers, who walked Alex Presley on four pitches and, after falling behind 2-0 to Jones, got the Pirates’ first baseman to fly out to shallow right field to end the inning.

The Astros opened things up in the ninth with two runs.  With runners on second and third and just one out, Quintero smashed a single into left centerfield, scoring two runs off Jose Veras and stretching Houston’s lead to 4-1.  Daniel Moskos, who was recalled earlier today, got the final two outs of the inning for Pittsburgh.

Other than a Derrek Lee single, the Pirates went peacefully in the ninth, as the Astros’ Mark Melancon earned his 17^th save of the season.

It’s tough to understand how the Astros continue to play well against Pittsburgh, having won four of the last five contests between the two teams.  The Pirates’ offense struggled tonight, accumulating only five hits total as a team, while Alex Presley, Garrett Jones, and Andrew McCutchen, the top three hitters in the lineup, went a combined 1-11, including an 0-4 performance from Cutch, who has seen his batting average drop to a mediocre .267.  Pedro Alvarez went 0-3 in his first game back, while Neil Walker had two hits in the losing effort.

The Pirates still have a chance to win this final series between the two teams tomorrow night at PNC Park.  Ryan Ludwick will be back in uniform, while Brian Burres will make the start on the hill.

Record Vs. Astros: 10-7

Record Vs. N.L. Central: 34-36

Record At Home: 32-39

Overall Record: 65-77

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! 

McDonald's Strong Start Lifts Pirates Past Astros

by Zane Heiple

Photo By AP

While the rest of us were enjoying a day off from work, Mother Nature was working as she delayed the start to today’s game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros.  Even when the game did start rain was present throughout the contest.  James McDonald handled the weather and Astros fairly well this afternoon as he would go 7.1 innings allowing one run on three hits, with three walks and six strikeouts as he picked his ninth win on the season today.  The seven plus inning of work was the longest of the year for McDonald.

Houston was able to strike first today.  In the third inning Astros pitcher Henry Sosa was able to draw a four pitch walk.  Then with two outs Jose Altuve hit a fly ball to right field that Jose Tabata misread, which allowed Sosa to score and Altuve to end up with a triple.

Pittsburgh would rally in the fourth inning.  With one out and runners on first and second, Ryan Doumit would double to centerfield, scoring Andrew McCutchen from second base.  Josh Harrison would continue swinging a hot bat with a single to center, which brought home Derrek Lee.  The Pirates would add an insurance run in the eighth inning off the bat of Lee, who when healthy and in a Buccos uniform seems to be a source of power that this lineup desperately needs.  It will be interesting to see if Pittsburgh management will make Lee an offer to remain with the Pirates in 2012.

With a two run lead Joel Hanrahan would come out of the bullpen to earn his 35^th save of the year, which game the Buccos a 3-1 win.  Even though both of these teams are out of contention, Pittsburgh is looking to play for pride as they were swept by Houston a week ago.  With every win, the Pirates increase their win total from last year as they currently have eight more than they did at the end of 2010. 

A few side notes, Chris Snyder announced today that he will not be back this season, which should not be a surprise to fans, since there is less than a month less in the season.  Tabata left the game today with discomfort in his left wrist which has been bothering him since last week.  Jeff Karstens will miss another start on Wednesday to rest his arm, Brian Burres will start in his place.  Game two of this series will be tomorrow night at 7:05pm Brett Myers will take on Brad Lincoln.

Record vs. Astros:  10-6
Record vs. N.L. Central:  34-35
Record at PNC Park:  32-38
Overall Record:  65-76

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!!!