In a series that featured a rear kicking in Game 1,a late inning letdown in Game 2 and an anemic offense in today's Game 3,one thing was the common thread through all three-Cubs win Pirates lose.
Game one featured former Bucco Aramis Ramirez crushing a homer among his 3 RBI and the struggling Kosuko Fukodome adding four more as the Cubs cruised to a 12-3 win.
Jeff Karstens lost his three start in a row (2-3) as he lasted just three innings and allowed five runs.
His relief was not as effective as Karstens as Jason Davis allowed five runs in two innings.
All three Pirate runs came off homers from Brandon Moss (solo 4) and Adam LaRoche (two run shot 18).
Otherwise,not much else to say.
Game two was an affair that highlighted the awful bullpen as the Buccos lost three leads over the course of the game and allowed seven Chicago runs in the eighth in a 14-9 Cubs win.
The main culprit was Craig Hansen,who paid the price at games end wit
h a ticket to Indianapolis.Hansen (0-2) pitched to four batters,allowing a single and then walking the next three batters before being lifted from the game.
Hansen was able to put his fist down the middle of the dugout water cooler,which was the first thing he was able to put over the middle of anything on this day.
Only Matt Capps of the seven Pittsburgh pitchers was able to have an stint in this game without allowing a run.
That,my friends,is downright pathetic.
Although perhaps not as pathetic as Geovany Soto of the Bruins having seven RBI on the night.
But the offense was hitting for a change as six Pirates batted in a run with Adam LaRoche and Doug Mienkiewicz leading the way with two each.
If a few runs of those runs from Tuesday had been saved for the following game,Zach Duke's best effort in a while would not have been wasted in a 2-0 series sweeping win for the Cubbies.
Duke allowed two seventh inning runs and nothing else in his eight innings of w
ork,but the offense was unable to dent Jason Marquis at all.Duke fell to 4-13 with the defeat.
Raul Chavez led the Pirates with two of their five hits.
Jesse Chavez made his Pittsburgh debut with a scoreless ninth.
Chavez was the replacement for the demoted Craig Hansen and finally is getting an overdue chance.
I am not sure that Chavez will perform well,but his numbers indicate maybe and how many times do we seen Flammable Frankie Osoria,Marino Salas and Romulo Sanchez to know that it would not hurt to try someone else.
Bullpen Notes
Scott Boras is challenging the Pirates contract agreement with Pedro Alvarez as being null and void.
I plan on getting into more detail on this in a post later tonight,but allow me to say three things.
One) I back Frank Coonelly and the Pirates 100 percent on this matter.
Two) Boras has no case other than attempting to save face for himself.
Three) Scott Boras has very little chance to beating Frank Coonelly in any thing that involves law.
Ten players of the pre-1943 ERA will be considered for the Baseball Hall of
Fame's Veterans Committee on December 7.The candidate that I would like to see be admitted was the big righthander Allie Reynolds.
Reynolds won 182 games in a career that spanned 1943 to 1954 and Reynolds left the game with plenty of action left in his arm as his final season consisted of a solid 13-4 record with an ERA of 3.34.
Reynolds never had a season (other than a two game cameo in 1942) without reaching double digits in wins in his seasons with Cleveland and New York.
Reynolds was a big game pitcher too as he complied a 7-2 record with an ERA of 2.79 in 15 World Series starts.
Reynolds made six All-Star teams and in each of his last three seasons as well.
If Reynolds makes it into the Hall,look for a Forgotten Superstar feature coming up.
Look for more on Scott Boras coming up and a preview of the Ohio State Buckeyes soon as well.
The Buckeyes open against Youngstown State on Saturday.
Photo Credits
Ramirez and Hansen:Keith Srakocic-AP Photo
Chavez:Nancy Zinni
Reynolds:Topps
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