Pearce single avoids sweep

John Maine didn't seem to have much of his quality stuff yesterday,but for five innings it kept the Pirates off balance.
Pittsburgh was able to make hay against the Met bullpen for 5 runs over the last 4 innings and dodge the sweep attempt by the Mets in a 5-2 win at PNC Park.
Paul Maholm allowed the Mets a run in the second and another in the fourth before Adam LaRoche tied the game with his 16th homer in the sixth inning.
Maholm would not be involved with the decision after seven innings of pitching.
Maholm allowed the two runs with just five hits,four strikeouts and three walks.
The Bucs were able to use three Met bullpenners to score three runs in the eighth to break the tie.
Steve Pearce gave the lead to Pittsburgh with a single down the third base line that scored LaRoche and Jack Wilson followed up with a double that scored Jason Michaels and Pearce to add some room for comfort.
Sean Burnett earned the victory (1-1) for getting the wild Tyler Yates out of a bases loaded jam in the eighth and John Grabow grabbed save number four after pitching the ninth.
The Pirates travel to St.Louis for two games there before a three game series in Milwaukee.

Pitching Matchup
Pittsburgh:Ian Snell (4-10 5.91 ERA) at St.Louis:Braden Looper (11-9 4.07 ERA) 8:05

Bullpen Notes

The game yesterday was only on the Mets network and two thoughts on that.
One:The Mets announcers are really whiny.
Especially Keith Hernandez,who makes excellent points when he isn't bitching about something.
Two:Why does FSN Pittsburgh never show any of the afternoon weekday games?
Their argument is that most people are working and the ratings would be low.
My argument is that whatever watches has to be more than infomercials and the best damn whatever..............

In a story released today,Will Smith has left the Hagerstown Suns for the AA Trenton Thunder.
I knew about this a few days ago,but was requested to keep it quiet from the person telling me this.
I did so.
I have never had a personal issue with Will Smith,although I have been critical of him here at times.
There are things that I wish he had done differently,but now that is now in the past.
Best wishes and congratulations to Will and his family..

Look for a post soon that will be concerning the vacancy in Hagerstown and why the next hire could be the most critical that the franchise has ever made.

On the signing front.
Ebay pickups:former ABA and NBA center Artis Gilmore and Devils David Clarkson,Jamie Langenbrunner and Travis Zajac.
From this weekends card show:Tom Gorzelanny,A dual auto of Gorzelanny and Freddy Sanchez,Steve Pearce and Browns Pro Bowler tackle Joe Thomas.

Until tomorrow with Pirates-Cards and tonights trip to Frederick for Hillcats vs Keys.

Photo Credits
LaRoches:Matt Freed-Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Gilmour: me