Pirates smack around Giants

Nate McLouth drilled two pitches into the stands and Zach Duke won his first game in almost a year and the Pirates rolled to a 12-6 win over the San Francisco Giants at PNC Park.
Duke had not won since 18 starts ago in June of 2007,but allowed just 3 runs in 7 and a third and improved his record to 1-2 on the season.
The game was also notable for the return of Sean Burnett,who relieved Duke and promptly allowed a three run homer to former Pirate Jose Castillo,so lets hope that there is better days ahead for the lefty.
McLouth's homers (8 and 9) led a Bucco barrage of 14 hits and put this game away early.
Adam LaRoche hit his 3rd homer of the season and after a solid weekend performance in Washington could be on his way to his annual thawing of the bat.
Not much else to say about the game other than this-The Giants may be the only team in the National League that is worse than the Pirates.
I mean,Benjie Molina is hitting cleanup!
There is not a player on this team other than maybe Aaron Rowand that is above average at their position and if you take Molina out of the equation,no other even average at their spot.
Really,the Giants are carrying two guys at shortstop that played here last year against the Hagerstown Suns in former Augusta Greenjackets Emmanuel Buriss and Brian Bocock,how often does that happen?
They START Jose Castillo everyday and not because of injury!
The same Jose Castillo that was cemented on the Pirates bench (THE PIRATES) and was released just this spring by the Marlins!
Other than young pitchers Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum and Rowand in the outfield-this may be the worst and dullest team that I have seen in quite a while and I watch the Pirates regularly!
I said all that and mark it up-The Giants will win the next two games,just watch.

The Giants send their tax writeoff Barry Zito to the mound tonight against the Pirates at 7:05 before what is likely to be a very small crowd.

Pitching Matchup
San Francisco:Barry Zito (0-6 7.53 ERA) at Pittsburgh:Phil Dumatrait (0-1 4.74 ERA) 7:05

Bullpen Notes

For a great take on our thoughts on blogging,our friends over at Wooden's World of Baseball posted this very thought provoking post.

I love animals and as a former avid follower of the horse racing game that was driven away by the constant breakdowns of the equine stars,I can understand the pain and frustration of animal lovers that are heartbroken by events such as the Eight Belles tragedy at the Kentucky Derby.
However,the latest media attention grab by PETA is simply wrong on many levels.
To blame the jockey for the breakdown is simply an attempt to get publicity for their cause and is incorrect.
You want to say whipping horses is inhumane?
I might be with you,but lets make that argument and not move the argument to one that smacks of PR and one that you are not only not qualified to make,but are wrong in as well.

Former Sun Cory Van Allen was promoted from Potomac to AA Harrisburg and dominated in his start there as well in earning the win over Connecticut with a 1 run 6 inning performance.
Cory also batted in the game (AA and AAA allow the pitcher to bat when two National League affiliates play) and tripled in his first at bat!
Cory was also interviewed for the Washington Post for this article on the Nationals promising pitching arms.

Finally,looks like long time favorite Julio Franco is finally throwing in the towel at the age of 49.
The well traveled veteran spent time in many cities and played significant time at 1st,2nd and shortstop in his career.
Believe it or not-Franco played here in Hagerstown as the shortstop for the late Peninsula Pilots of the Carolina League in the Suns FIRST season of existence!

Photo Credits
McLouth-Don Wright-AP Photo
Franco-Donruss