The Pirates battled back to eventually even take a 6-4 lead,but the relentless Brewer offense continued to pound the suspect staff and romped to an 11-6 win and a sweep of the three game set.
Zach Duke was sent to the showers after failing to complete the third in
ning,but thanks to the Pirate rally was able to escape with a no decision.Duke was deserving of the loss as he allowed six runs (5 earned) in the abbreviated outing.
The loss instead went to Denny Bautista (1-1) who was pounded for four runs in just an inning.
The Bucs tied the game in their part of the second as Jason Bay led off with his 17th homer of the season and then tied the game on Nate McLouth's bases clearing double down the right field line.
Adam LaRoche then smacked his 9th homer with one man on to give the Pirates the lead that they would not hold onto for long.
Just another ugly pitching performance,but the infielders did not add much as they combined for three errors,two by Jose Bautista.
Must have a bad day for players with that surname.
The Pirates return home for a series against the Houston Astros tonight at 7 with the returning Phil Dumatrait taking the ball on the hill.
I can hear Battlin Bob celebrating from here!
Pitching Matchup
Houston:Runelvys Hernandez (0-2 5.40 ERA) at Pittsburgh:Phil Dumatrait (3-4 4.66 ERA) 7:05
The Brewers improved their team even more today by acquiring the ace of the
Cleveland Indians C.C.Sabathia for outfielder Matt LaPorta,pitcher Rob Bryson (From the West Virginia Power),journeyman reliever Zach Jackson and a player to be named later.The PTBNL is expected to be third baseman Taylor Green,who played here in Hagerstown as a member of the Power in 2008.
The powerhitting LaPorta is the centerpiece of the trade as he has been very impressive since being drafted with the seventh overall pick in the first round of the 2007 draft.
No word on whether LaPorta will be assigned to AAA Buffalo or AA Akron.
Either makes sense,but a Buffalo stint makes a bit more as LaPorta has little to prove at the Double A level.
Bryson started a game here earlier this season against the Suns,but was placed in the closer role by West Virginia in May.
Bryson was the closer for Helena in the Pioneer League last season and was regarded as one of the top ten prospects for the league as well as the 11th in the Brewers organization by Baseball America.
Bryson will likely be assigned to Low A Lake County.
Green is the top hitter for the Brevard County Manatees,as he leads the team in average and runs batted in along with being second in homers.
Green does have power questions as he moves up the ladder and despite the speculation,it is not a guarantee that he will be the player to be named later.
Jackson is a journeyman type that is a depth move for either the Indians or Buffalo with little impact as he is basically a toss in to the deal.
I like the deal for both teams.
Milwaukee gets to make a run at the post season and will likely get two first round picks in next years draft after Sabathia goes elsewhere as a free agent.
Cleveland adds a player (LaPorta) that they never would have added with the picks they would have gotten for Sabathia if they had kept him,so I like it for both teams.
Bullpen Notes
The Pirates wore blue hats for two of the three games in Milwaukee and it is pictured above.
They look a lot like the Potomac Nationals hats to me.
The Pirates All Star representative will be Nate McLouth.
McLouth certainly was the most deserving Pirate despite good starts from Jason Bay and Xavier Nady.
Former Pirate Pokey Reese makes his Hagerstown debut tonight vs the Asheville Tourists at the Muni.
The shortstop is working his way along the comeback trail in the Nationals system in hopes to be ready to contend for the shortstop spot that will likely be vacated by Cristian Guzman next season.
I have not forgotten about the Indy wrestling post,just waiting for pics and a slow day to write about it.
Until next time
Photo Credit
Sanchez:Morry Gash-AP Photo
LaPorta:Topps
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