The main shot was a three run bomb to Adam Dunn that landed in Louisville,I think, and sent the scoreboard changing from 3-1 Pittsburgh to 4-3 Cincinnati.
The Reds also showcased the jewel of their farm system as outfielder Jay Bruce went 3 for 3 in his major league curtain raiser.
Snell (2-4) allowed seven runs on seven hits and walked an alarmingly high seven batters that continued his control issues.
I am not sure why Snell and Tom Gorzelanny are having
such issues with finding the plate,but I am sure that the Pirates (and myself) are very concerned,especially with the contract that Snell signed over the winter.Pittsburgh scored single runs in three early innings to build the early margin.
Ronny Paulino singled for one in the first,Xavier Nady singled in the third and Adam LaRoche's sac fly produced another in the fifth.
The Pirates did produce three garbage runs in the ninth to make the score closer as LaRoche hit a two run shot (6) before Ronny Paulino reached the seats for the first time all season.
The series continues tonight at 7.
Pitching Matchup
Pittsburgh:Tom Gorzelanny (4-4 6.31 ERA) at Cincinnati:Bronson Arroyo (3-4 5.68 ERA) 7:10
Bullpen Notes
Neal Huntington is serious about pitch counts!
Lynchburg manager Jeff Branson and recently resigned pitching coach Bob Milacki were docked three days pay for allowing Daniel Moskos to exceed his pitch limit by six in a game against Myrtle Beach.
Frankly,I find this to be dumb.
I understand their reasoning,but a bit of leeway should be used in situations that go over the limit for one batter,if the limit had not been reached before the at-bat started.
I am all for keeping a close watch on this,but this looks excessive.
In any case,don't bet on a Branson return to the organization next season.
Former Pirate Richie Hebner is the new field boss of the Frederick Keys after skipper Tommy Thompson took a leave of absence.
Looks like I have to do some digging for Hebner cards and hopefully I can get him to sign his bobblehead that the Pirates are giving away in June.
Hard to believe hearing of the death of former Cub tosser Geremi Gonzalez at 33 after being struck by lightning while walking along the beach.
Gonzalez won 11 games for the 97 Cubs in the high point of his career.
I suppose the old adage is true,when it is time to go..............
For an interesting comparison to the Hagerstown Suns-try this out.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer looks at the Ohio teams in the minors and compares things that each team does.
Lake County offers hot dogs for a buck every Monday,as does Akron.
On Tuesdays,Akron has buy one get one free on dogs,popcorn and Ice Cream.
Low A Mahoning Valley has dollar Thursdays on dogs,soda and beer and on Mondays,the Scrappers offer a all you get eat OPTION (note to the Suns front office,FYF Monday should be optional not mandatory) for an extra ten bucks added to your ticket and their menu looks superior to the Hagerstown dreck too with a menu that includes chicken sandwiches, Italian sausage, bratwurst, candy bars, peanuts and popcorn.
Mahoning Valley also will have a bobblehead giveaway of WBC Middleweight champ Kelly Pavlik this season,while Hagerstown offers Elizabeth Schulze.
That is so ridiculous not even I can offer a pithy remark.
But for food,tough to beat the Columbus Clippers with every Monday being "Dime a Dog" night.
That's right-ten cent hot dogs,even the Suns dogs are worth a dime!
And finally from the wasn't he already retired dept.
Damon Allen will retire from the CFL and the Toronto Argonauts today at the age of 44 and 23 seasons in Canada.
Allen played for 4 Grey Cup champions, played for what seemed to be every team in the league and is a certainty for the CFL Hall of Fame.
Photo Credits
Snell:Al Behrman-AP Photo
Allen:John E.Sokolowski
No comments:
Post a Comment