Results tagged ‘ Adam LaRoche ’
Back On Track… ?
Ah yes, my pre-game feelings were right on. The Pirates finally ended their 8-game losing streak with an impressive 7-1 victory over the Cardinals. I feel like I should make a long post reflecting on this game’s happenings. However, no one really wants to read all that, plus I didn’t even watch the game because I was playing softball. We did win our game, in case you were wondering, we 15-runned our opponent and I made my first web-gem of the year at second base on a screaming grounder up the middle. It felt good. haha. Anyways, let’s get to some Pirates baseball information:
- Zach Duke : 8 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 5 K, 1 BB – Duke was phenomenal again. He’s really good in PNC Park. Duke did just what we needed him too. The only run he surrendered was a first inning home run to Albert Pujols, which wasn’t even his fault, because it’s Albert Pujols. I honestly don’t even get upset when watching a Pujols bomb, which happens so often against the Pirates. I’ve just accepted that this guy is the best hitter of my lifetime and he’s going to hit a lot of home runs. I’m a big fan of his so whatever he does is fine with me. The important thing is to get everyone else in that lineup out, which Duke did tonight. Of course the early injury to Ryan Ludwick helped Duke’s cause as well. Anyway, great work from Duke getting us off the schneid.
- Brandon Moss : 3/4, 2 R, 2 RBI – Brandon Moss finally looked like a major league hitter. He ripped a single in the second and finally hit his first long ball of the year in the 5th. Let’s just hope this is a boost of confidence and this kind of night becomes a very familiar thing. That would be a huge boost to the team. Also, let me say one thing. After that home run, I got a couple texts from friends saying “look at your boy Moss” or something of that sort. Let me say this, Brandon Moss is NOT my boy. I have stuck up for him all through April just because of his youth and upside, but I’m not going to lie that faith had been wavering him. After one game I’m not going to change my wavering view of him or say that he is ready to break out, because he probably isn’t. One thing I’m not going to do is start bragging about my patience with him and say it paid off, because I was about to give up on him and hey, it’s only one game. This is ridiculous, let’s move on.
- Matt Capps : Well Zach Duke couldn’t finish the game and stopped after 8 innings, and that gave the Pirates a chance to see Matt Capps for the first time in over a week. He showed mixed signs. He gave up a hit and 2 walks and actually loaded the bases with nobody out, but then put it together and struck out 2 batters and got a flyout to end the game. His control was off, but he was throwing good pitches that resulted in a lot of swing and misses. The control issues were probably expected because he had been down for a while, and it’s really good to see him getting hitters off balance and vulnerable at the plate. That’s the Capps we need to see for the rest of this year, enough of the wildness and straight fastballs over the heart of the plate.
Sweeeeeeeeeeeeep!!
The Pirates defeated the Marlins for the third consecutive time today, winning the game 7-3. It was another close, well played and hard fought game for the bucs. Let’s wrap up this homestand and head on to the offday tomorrow where we will look forward to our 6 game road trip!
- Paul Maholm pitched today and got his 3rd consecutive win. This was no doubt his least effective start of the year, but he still pitched very well. He gave up 4 runs in 6 innings while striking out 4 and walking only 1. It shows that Paul Maholm isn’t perfect and could possibly lose a couple of games this year, but the offense didn’t let it happen today.
- The offense hit the ball all through the game, scoring in 5 of their 8 offensive innings. Adam LaRoche led the offense today with 4 hits (one gift), 2 runs and 1 RBI. Before this week LaRoche’s performance was a very pleasant surprise, but after the Doumit injury, I’d say that it is now a vital occurrence.
- Andy LaRoche had a clutch RBI double in the 5th after Brandon Moss was intentionally walked for the 2nd time in the game. The Marlins obviously didn’t find LaRoche as much of a threat today, and although he struck out with the bases loaded in the first, he made them pay in the 5th. I guess the Marlins haven’t noticed how awful Brandon Moss has been at the plate lately. Oh well, our gain.
- Nyjer Morgan created a run of his own as well today. He singled in Delwyn Young, who collected his first hit as a bucco in the form of a 1 out double, and Nyjer then went on to steal third base and score on an overthrow by (former Pirate) Ronny Paulino. I guess it wasn’t that terrible of a throw, so some blame should go to Emilio Bonifacio as well. Nyjer’s play has been consistently terrific, let’s hope he can keep that up.
- The bullpen also did more great work today, giving up no runs in 3 innings of work. Jesse Chavez and Sean Burnett combined for one of those innings of work, setting down their hitters 1-2-3. John Grabow was excellent, striking out the side in the 8th, and Matt Capps finished the game up with his 5th successful save conversion. He is a perfect 5/5 in save opportunities this year. It’s really uplifting to see the bullpen pitching well right along with their starting rotation.
Well the Pirates are done with their first homestand of the year, a stretch in which they went 6-3. their record is now at a beautiful 9-6 record and if the Cubs and Cardinals lose tonight, the Pirates could be tied for the division lead. I’m expecting to see more Pirates on Baseball Tonight!
Tomorrow is an offday, but I’ll think of something to make a post for 
Pick ‘Em Friday contestants, get your picks in! I’ll post mine tomorrow.
What A Day
It was one heck of a day for baseball. A full slate of minor league games and 6 world baseball classic games. Of course, I was not awake to see Japan blow out Korea 14-2, a game that started at 5:30 am eastern time. I did happen to catch most of the Dominican/Netherlands game at work though. I was really excited to see Edinson Volquez pitch, but my excitement was not fulfilled. Volquez had a rough time in the first inning. He gave up 3 runs in the first inning, however 2 of them were due to Hanley Ramirez’s throwing error on a ball that he made a heck of an effort to even get to. Volquez finished the game with 3 innings pitched, 3 runs, 0 earned, 2 hits, 2 walks, and 3 strikeouts. Not a terrible line, but he definitely didn’t have it today. After that the Dominican staff was excellent, featuring Pedro Martinez with 3 great innings of 1-hit ball. However, their offense was not clicking and they could only put up 2 runs on the Netherlands, who completed one of the biggest upsets the classic has seen.
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