Getting Better; Buc's Take 2

Can you honestly be upset by the play of the Pirates last night and then see what they did today? The Pirates got slapped around last night, slowly but surely. Paul Mall' (Maholm) had an ever so slightly deteriorating outing. You knew it was inevitable however, to see the struggling Cardinals win a game. Especially when Albert Pujols is in mid slump, at least it's no Adam LaRoche slumpage though. I don't know how the baseball world, and douche bag Tony LaRussa, can consider Pujols reaching base safely in 41 straight games. You've also got to hand it to Mr. Wellemeyer on the mound for the Cardinals. He kept, what was a warming offense, quite frozen. Pitching well into the 8th inning on what was then only 2 hits alloud. The Bucco's needed a sweep of the Cardinal's to reach .500 for the first time into a season since June 11, 2005. John Russell commented on the .500 plateu and said it's not a record the Pirates are aspiring too. “You pick .500 as a goal, where do you go from there?” Russell said. “I don’t think that’s anything we’re going to pop a champagne bottle over.” No, but maybe a couple bars in the strip district might. Last night, there were a couple of amazing feats pulled off last night. The first came in the 2nd inning off yet another long shot to center from Adam LaRoche. Only, this time Rick Ankeil caught up to this one, making a Jim Edmonds like leap up the wall to make everyone in black and gold urse under their breath. The other feat came from the Cardinals and Pirates of their overall performance. The Cardinals managed 5 runs on 15 hits and stranding 15 runners. The Pirates weren't much better, leaving 10 runners on base as well. The sad part is the Buc's got their only run off of a 2 out, 8th inning Nate McClouth pop-fly when Ceasar Izturis fell flat on his back while backpedaling. Oh well, you can't win them all, especially when you're these Pirates. Buc's lose 5-1.
The Buc's are showing two signs of threat now. Ian Snell had a rough day on the mound going only 4 innings and giving up 5 runs on 11 hits. Yikes! Nate McClouth however added his 11th homer in the first. The Pirates trailed though, but then, something happened. The 5th inning came and Chris Gomez singled in Doug Mientkiewicz. Newly aquired, and quite a pick indeed, Jason Michaels singled in Gomez and Ronny Paulino. The bull pen came in and, man did they ever take charge of the game. The game came to the 8th with the Bucco's trailing 4-3, then Chris Comez, AGAIN, reached on a fielder's choice allowing Doug Mientkiewicz to score. Ronny Paulino made it to 3rd on a throw by Jason Isringhausen that reached the first baseline seats. After John Grabow had finished out the 7th inning, Jason Bay stepped in to pinch hit for him. And he did a fine job making it a 8-5 lead, making it 8 unanswered runs. The Buc's would get more issurance int he top of the 9th adding 3 more runs from Chavez double and 2 hit Freddy single, driving in 2 more runs. Pirates win, 11-5. John Grabow picking up the win and the pirates moving to 20-21. The Buc's now head to Wrigley Field to play the division leading Cubs, whom they trail by 5 games. Tom Gorzelanny will get the start against Sean Gallagher (0-0 6.48ERA).

-Other News-

The Pirates will find themself without the breakout season of Ryan Doumit for at least a month.

The Pirates are set to play the Cubs tomorrow at 2:20 in Chicago.

Our Bucco's are 0-6 against the Cubs this season. That needs to change.

Pirates are winners of 8 of their last 10.

Jack Wilson started his rehab today in AAA Indianapolis for 4 days.