Pirates lose 8-5,Snell to undergo MRI

Ian Snell did not pitch well and the news got worse as he was forced to undergo a MRI on his right elbow today after lasting just 4 innings in the Pirates 8-5 loss to Toronto.
The Pirates fell behind in the first as Toronto scored 2 runs,but Jason Bay's ground out cut the lead to 2-1 after one.
The Blue Jays added two more runs in the fourth,but the Pirates tied the game on a two run single by Jose Bautista and Raul Chavez followed up with another RBI single that got Snell off the hook as the pitcher of record.
Newcomer T.J.Beam was the hard luck loser (0-1),as he walked a batter with one out in the sixth inning and was taken from the game in favor of the usually crappy Franquelis "Nitro" Osoria,who then now allowed the inherited runner to score,but added three more to the total.
Why Osoria continues to be used so much when he pitches so poorly continues to be a major indictment of John Russell's tenure thus far.
The Pirates added their final run in the sixth on a Luis Rivas ground out.
Snell's MRI results looked encouraging (golfer's elbow) and he may only miss his scheduled start on Friday.
The Yankees come to town tomorrow for three games.

Bullpen Notes

Phil Dumatrait also underwent an MRI and has bursitis in his rotator cuff.
That is a minor problem and he will likely return after his disabled list term expires on July 5th.
Battlin Bob is rejoicing as I write.

The problem becomes this in the rotation.
With today being an off day,the Pirates were going to be able to keep things normal until Saturday,but now with Snell out of his start on Friday,it looks like either two guys from Indianapolis or a waiver wire pickup will likely be making those starts.

Ryan Doumit is expected to return to the lineup for the Yankee series behind the plate.
Of course,the team announced that he would return for the Toronto series too..........

John Russell made a dumb move in yesterday's game.
With runners on base and no one out,Russell pinch hit for Snell.
No problem there,considering the elbow issue,but he selected Freddy Sanchez to do so.
A bit early,in my opinion,but OK.
But then Sanchez is ordered to sacrifice bunt and resulted in a pop up to the catcher.
Couldn't Russell have sent Snell up to move the runners over and then replaced him on the mound and therefore saving a pinch hitter?
Or even picked another hitter to instead of Sanchez in order to have Freddy for later?
Not smart managing.

In Saturday's big fight,Arthur Abraham left no controversy intact in knocking Edison Miranda down three times and finishing him off in the fourth round.
Miranda won the first two rounds on our card,but Abraham began to turn the tide in the third before ending the fight in round four.
An excellent outing for the IBF champ and looks to be possibly the next major test for Kelly Pavlik.

Until tomorrow.

Photo Credits
Baseball:Gene Puskar-AP Photo
Abraham-Miranda:Hans Deryk-AP Photo