Random Ramblings on the last week

Here is some random ramblings on the last week that I have missed.
I plan on doing a post on each of my stops from the trip as time permits,but for now.........

The Pirates won 3 of 4 over the Giants in San Francisco,split a makeup doubleheader in Pittsburgh,lost 2 of 3 in New York before losing an 11-8 decision in Philadelphia last night.
The Pirates got unusual production power-wise as Ronny Paulino (9),Jose Bautista (10) and Matt Kata(1) (???) all hit homers,but was not nearly enough as Tom Gorzelanny was smacked around in a 5 inning outing.
Shane Youman then allowed 4 more runs over two innings to add to the carnage.
Anyone notice that Youman was far more effective in the 5th rotation spot than in the middle relief role???
Freddie Sanchez continued his hot hitting,as he knocked in 3 runs for the nite.
The series vs the hated Phillies continues tonight at 7:05.

Pitching Matchup

Philadelphia: Jamie Moyer (11-8) at Pittsburgh: Paul Maholm (8-14) 7:05


Bullpen Notes

The Pirates moved 3 of their best prospects from AA Altoona to AAA Indianapolis as 3rd baseman Neil Walker,outfielder Andrew McCutchen and lefty hurler Dave Davidson were all moved up.
Not sure if I agree with this,but it should not hurt anything for any of the three,although I still believe that McCutchen should at least return to Altoona for the beginning of the 2008 season.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats dropped a close 19-17 decision to the Eskimos in Edmonton last Saturday night.
The Cats (1-6) travel to Montreal to battle the Alouettes (4-3) tonight.

Wily Mo Pena was acquired by the Nationals for the PTBNL.
Good deal for the Nationals,high reward-low risk.

In Jack Wilson news-Wilson cleared waivers and could easily be traded to the Tigers.
Bad news,the reportedly offered player Jair Jurrjens is now unable to be part of the deal,since he was promoted to Detroit.
Honestly,I would rather keep Wilson until the off-season now since the return haul will be less than expected.

In another ridiculous note-Craig Monroe,the average at best Tiger outfielder that was reportedly the hold-up in getting the Wilson deal done,was designated for assignment.
So the Pirates lost out on a solid prospect because they had to have a guy that was so good that 2 weeks later he was designated for assignment.
Dumb.

And the same goes for the Tigers for letting this deal fall through over a player like Craig Monroe.
They are far from blameless here.

Was in Frederick last night to see the Keys blast the Kinston Indians 13-1.
Game was a blowout,but was able to get the Kinston team finished for the year and some of the players remembered me.
Jim Deters told me that he remembered me "being around all the time,LOL",Josh Rodriguez talked briefly as we have a mutual acquaintance in Cory Van Allen and the longest talks were with former Lake County players Steven Wright( who unfortunately got the brunt of the Keys offensive outburst) and Josh Tomlin,who got promoted to Kinston the night we saw the Captains in Asheville.
Tomlin is a really cool and polite guy,so it is easy to root for him to do well.
His first start as a member of the K-Tribe is tonight vs the Keys.

Our favorite Sun Erik Arnesen starts tonight for the Hagerstown Suns vs the Greensboro Grasshoppers.
Erik's starts are nights that we root for the home team for sure.
We will recap here tomorrow.

Plus in a bonus-tonight is Plunger night at the Muni.
Next time your toilet is backed up,you can think of the Hagerstown Suns.

Did anyone notice the Pro-Suns (and anti-us) fans had a whole week to tell us what to be positive about and came up with .......

Until tomorrow,when we do an on the signing front on the Greensboro Grasshoppers and Kinston Indians, a review of Erik Arnesen's start tonight,Ti-Cats-Alouettes and more.

Photo Credit
Gorzelanny-Pittsburgh Post-Gazette-Matt Freed