a late Pittsburgh rally to avoid a Pirates sweep with a 9-7 win.Adam LaRoche had 3 hits including his 9th homer of the season to lead the Pirate offense.
Duke picked up the loss and fell to 3-7 on the year.
I have always thought Duke had the ability to be a solid pitcher for the Pirates for years,but with each outing,it appears more and more that Zach needs a new opportunity.
This would be best for both Zach and the Pirates,but Duke has a chance to make the best of it,Littlefield would likely just add to his collection of middle relievers at Indianapolis in such a deal.
Jim Colborn has seemingly screwed a promising young pitcher up to the point that it is just painful to watch his efforts.
Nibbling and seemingly afraid to challenge hitters,this was not the Zach Duke that Pirate fans saw as he moved through the system and during his rookie year in Pittsburgh.
Thanks for nothing,Jim
The Indians used a 3 run homer from Jason Michaels in the seventh to overcome a 3-1 deficit and defeat the A's 4-3.
The homer was Michaels 6th of the year.
Paul Byrd got the win to move to 7-3 and Joe Borowski finished up to get his 22nd save.
Pitching Matchups
Washington: Matt Chico (3-5) at Pittsburgh: Ian Snell (6-5) 7:00
Tampa Bay: Edwin Jackson (1-8) at Cleveland: Jake Westbrook (1-3) 7:00
Bullpen notes
I went to the Lake County-Hagerstown game,but left after 5 innings.
Various reasons-rain made it difficult to keep the book and the drunks from thirsty thursdays were coming down to get out of the rain.
Plus the score was 7-0 Captains.
The Final was 10-2.
A LONG homer off the bat of Indian 1st round pick Beau Mills to deep center was quite impressive.
Meanwhile the Pirates and their MUST-have reliever Daniel Moskos still have not agreed on a contract.
Spent some time talking to Met scout Larry Izzo during the game.
Interesting chat,wish I had more time to listen.
Perhaps tonight-IF this rain stops.
Three Ohio State Buckeyes went in the 1st round of the NBA draft last night.
Greg Oden to Portland,Mike Conley to Memphis and Daquan Cook to Miami.
Cook was traded to the Heat after being picked by Philadelphia.
BTW-I hate the NBA draft prohibition on moving up and down the board on draft day.
Craig Biggio gets hit 3000 and a ticket to the Hall of Fame.
Biggio was a good not great player that makes it on longevity.
On my ballot?No.
On the signing front
Got many Captains from their team set-Most notably Nick Weglarz (great guy),Matt McBride,Neil Wagner and the two younger phenoms- SS Carlos Rivero and P Hector Rondon.
The Suns team set came out yesterday.
Good and Bad.
Good news:Non-Glossy,so no prep work.
Bad News: Kinda ugly and the best players are now at Potomac.
I was able to get most of the Suns,big catch was our favorite Sun-Erik Arnesen.
Erik told me that he pitches Saturday-of course the day I have to work overtime!
Next week after the Suns homestand,We will be doing a multi-part series on what I would do IF
I was hired to replace Captain Dave Littlefield as Pirate GM.
This will cover long and short terms and cover the Bucs from State College to the MLB roster.
This will be the most comprehensive series we have ever done and if any of you wants to participate as a guest columnist or just has something that you want me to address,either comment here or send me an email.
I think this is going to be a pretty good read.
Until tomorrow.
Photo Credits
Pirates-AP Photo-J.Pat Carter
Michaels-AP Photo-Mark Duncan
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