This is getting old and getting me really upset. This is the second time the Pirates deliberately changed their rotation around to get McDonald an easier start. He was scheduled to start against the Cubs in Chicago and they switched it to a start in Houston. He was scheduled to start against Arizona and they switched it to San Diego. He got bombed twice. Probably sure wins if anyone else started, but he got bombed twice.

Hurdle should just put JMac in the pen and use him in short one inning outings until he starts to get his head together.

They have been trying really hard to get this kids confidence back on track, so he can help out down the stretch. Hurdle left him in too long in Colorado also, the Bucs did end up winning that game, but that win didn't seem to make much difference. Time to move Correia to the rotation, Clint has given McDonald enough opportunities to turn this around, the loss tonight has to be the last straw. You had your chance McDonald, time to move on for now. This one hurts.

I'd have to look but I bet he's getting to his career high in innings pitched for a season. alot of guys get "dead arm" at some point during the year. Trouble is that he appears to not be able to get over it.

I thought adding Correia was about giving the guys rest & he was inserted after Karstens because Karstens was the 5th guy in the "no day off" stretch.

Oddly I *think* the way it goes now, keeping Correia in pushes JMac from wednesday to thursday. I believe Wednesday is Kershaw (he pitched today). So poor Wandy gets Kershaw :/ This is almost like taking one for the team, so JMac really needs to step up in his next start

Anyway, I do feel that Jmac needs to leave the rotation for a sequence to work things out. I agree, The team needs to come first.

He moved around the rotation twice trying to give McDonald wins. I'm thinking about this and how he just wouldn't take him out tonight and I can't believe this guy thought those were good moves. Just pull the plug in that fifth and we're all happy.

That would be fine if it wasn't for the fact that his first innings lately have been rocky to say the least. I do see him headed for the bullpen at the rate he's going, though.

Maybe flip the ball to Justin Wilson or Jeff Locke for a start in this long stretch of consecutive games. Get someone in there who will be excited to start a game, rather than some of the starters who have the look of dang it's my day to start on their faces.

Those two guys can't do any worse than J-Mac's near 9 ERA since the break...and a good start from one of them could be beneficial to the team and staff moving forward.

That's probably right. Last year they were trying to get JMAC past 5 or 6 innings and he would wear out. they mentioned his thin frame and limited history of going long in games. he may still have the same problem and has hit his limit as a starter.

Bedard pitched before McDonald. That was changed so McDonald got the Astros and Bedard a start in Chicago. Then, Correia comes in and McDonald get bumped back to Padres. That insertion only changed the opponent for McDonald, not for anyone else.

And as far as that no day off stretch. That stretch just started. No one needed an off day. I think Correia deserved a start, but if he's not back in the rotation ad this is just one spot start to give guys rest, wouldn't it make more sense to give them an extra day after they had pitched more than once? Pirates did it now to give McDonald the easy start. Second time they have done that.

"Hurdle said he believed McDonald could finish the fifth. Left him in to challenge him, get him through with a positive building block." - Brink

I don't agree that they were trying to give JMac an easy win. Astros/Cubs shouldn't he be able to beat both teams. I recall bedard throwing like 113 pitches in a game & he was pushed back on his next start. Bedard was then pushed back again a day to have AJ face the Reds.

By inserting Correia they keep anyone from pitching on the 5th day at all during this stretch. This basically benefits mostly everyone since the rotation is struggle (minus AJ)

Saw that. Shame on you, Clint. Shame on you.

This isn't April. You aren't 20 games out where it doesn't matter if you try out some guys. Shame on you, Clint. Shame on you.

If you want to manage like that, go to the minors.

He had just been bombed by Cubs. They switched that 100 percent to give McDonald an easy start. They would have to invent a new team to get an easier opponent than Houston.

And today Hurdle says he left him out there to challenge McDonald. How about the other 24 players, Clint? How about winning the game, Clint?

Meanwhile Maholm pitched a complete game three-hitter.

Well, if they thought the Padres were easy, then they deserved to learn a lesson.

Well, easier than Arizona. Those were the only options.

You are 1000% correct...this isn't the minor leagues in which a great emphasis is given to that type of mentality. Should they end up one game out of the playoffs it will be this game and that decision all will look back on.

No question. It's not like this loss couldn't have been avoided. All Hurdle had to do was put any premium on winning the game. That was so far down his list tonight, it makes you wonder what the Pirates are even trying to do.

Maybe good baseball fans will, but not the general public. If we fall one short, most will look back to the most recent loss. People forget yesterday tomorrow.

I'm not going to forget this one until the Pirates clinch a playoff spot.

This was a loss because they were willing to lose to play around with McDonald. The more I think about this game, the more upset I get. It's one thing to just now have it. Pirates blew a game late to Arizona with their best because they just didn't have it. Nothing you can do about that. Lose again because Wandy has not been the pitcher we wanted. Again, nothing you can do about that.

But tonight? Totally different. McDonald had been awful for a month. How does he stay out to blow a 7-1 lead? How does anyone to stay out to blow a 7-1 lead, let alone the guy that is struggling as much as anyone in the majors the past month.