SOG for Wed, Aug 1st, 2012:
Pirates d. Cubbies 8-4
Pirates take 2/3 from Cubbies
Pirates improve to 60-44
Pirates 27-28 OTR
Pirates remain 3 GB of the "In Soviet Russia the Wins are Rigged by the Comittee...just like the Olympics" Reds..no really..the Reds have the best record in baseball and their current winning pace resembles a Soviet "favorite" Candidate's election results.
Pirates RS/RA improves to 431/395 for a robust +36
Attendance: 33,014
And the Votes are in:
Jared "The Tongue" Hughes .5 vote
Tony "flying high" Watson .5 vote
Jeff "Deadman" Karstens 2 votes
Garrett "off the bench and ready to hit!" Jones 10 votes
Michael "The Fort and the Violent Swings...it's a hit!" McKenry 15 votes
Thank you for your Votes!!!
Mini-me has struck again. Michael "The Fort" McKenry got bumped up a spot in the line-up and boy did he deliver. During the 5 run 8th The Fort sent a missile of a 3 run HR to give the Pirates some breathing room which they ultimately needed. The Fort went 2/5 with 1 RS, 3 RBI and his 10th HR of the season. The Cubbie booth called the Fort "intriguing" with his violent swing and also said the Fort just looked "hitterish". So far this season McKenry has gotten better at the plate and seems to have the knack for key hits. Exciting times for the Buccos.
The Fort for the Star.
Garrett "platoon here i come" Jones pinch hit for Gaby "kind of overswung this first game" Sanchez and ended up getting 2 very large hits for the Buccos. Jones went 2/2 with 1 RS, 3 RBI and if Jones can get on a hot streak again it can mean great things for the Pirates. With a platoon at 1b looming, for the hate of 19 years of losing please be a hitter Sanchez!!!, Jones has shown he can hit lefties or righties so this might be interesting.
The Zombie shambled out and did his job. Jeff "gotta shave man..that was a unkempt look on the mound" Karstens went the minimum, 5 IP, 3 hits, 1 run, 4Ks but got the win at 4-2 with a 3.70 ERA. Solid effort against a pesky Cub team depleted by trades, but Castro and Soriano can still hit.
Cutch had another ho hum MVP type game on a smaller scale going 2/3 with 3 RS, 2 walks, 1 K and is hitting a incredible .373. Yikes!!! August 2nd and Cutch is at .373? Seems a touch unreal.
The Pirates went 2-11 RISP.
The Pirates walked 4 times and struck out 13 times.
The Cubbies walked 1 time and struck out 10 times.
There was some minor drama during the bottom of the 9th. The Hammer entered the game and got knocked around a little. The Hammer's line of 1 IP, 5 hits, 3 runs, with 3 strikeouts caused some concern in the GT with the salty Lrkr posting "Oh w*t*f" as the carnage began. The cherry on top had to be TGR44's "Even if we win Hanny for GOG." Ok i get it. The Hammer got hit...and ended up striking out the side. Closers have rough patches but i would rather have him struggle during a mop up get some work appearance then in a game situation that actually matters. I know, the posts were made during the heat of the moment but the Hammer deserves a bit more love imo.
The Pirates reached the 60 win mark. There are now 5 teams at 60 wins and it is pretty good company:
NY Yankees 61-43
Texas Rangers 60-43(got to 60 last night)
Washington Nationals 61-42(yeah that Rizzo sure is in over his head...what with the winning and all that)
The "In Soviet Russia the Reds don't seem to need Votto or Phillips...they keep rolling on.." Reds 63-41
Your Pittsburgh Pirates 60-44
Kind of adds a little perspective yes?
Dare i say Big Series coming up with the hitting on all cylinders Reds. I don't know how or why the Buccos keep winning but you buy the ticket you should take the ride.
Get em Buccos!!
"You never have to wait long, or look far, to be reminded of how thin the line is between being a hero or a goat."--Mickey Mantle
http://www.hulu.com/watch/13302
Zoltan!
Star of the Year Standings:
Andrew "McClutch" McCutchen 7
James "Lights Out" McDonald 6
A.J. "Right player at the right time for the right team" Burnett 6
Pedro "The Chosen One" Alvarez 4.5
Michael "The Fort" McKenry 4.5
Erik "Winning!" Bedard 4
Brad "Hot Rod" Lincoln 3
Garrett "The Legend" Jones 3
Kevin "K.C. and the Sunshine Band" Correia 3
Rod "Jelly Roll" Barajas 3
Jeff "The Force is strong with this One" Karstens 2.5
Clint "Better then Ronnie" Barmes 2
Casey "let them play!" McGehee 2
Neil "PRNW aka the Real Deal" Walker 2
Charlie "Ground Chuck" Morton 1
Josh "Say Hey" Harrison 1
Matt "Hit Collector..well in AAA right now" Hague 1...Better Tiz?
Jared "The Tongue" Hughes 1
Drew "get out ball!!!" Sutton 1
Starling "Back to the Future....is so bright i have to wear shades" Marte 1
Alex "The King" Presley .5