A few quick thoughts on the opener

Long day with much to do and little time to do it with as I was called into work tonight on a off night.
I did want to get a few quick thoughts down on the Pirates win in yesterday's opener in St.Louis.
The 6-4 win was the third dramatic road opener win in as many years as Jack Wilson's flyball over Ryan Ludwick's head (who was playing far too shallow) cleared the bases and turned a 4-3 deficit into a 6-4 lead.....
John Grabow earned the win (1-0) and Matt Capps grabbed the save.
Game 2 starts shortly.

Pirates hooks

1) The Pirates won the game in spite of some pretty poor play.
Between three errors and generally lacking bullpen work from Grabow and Tyler Yates,the Bucs were lucky in this one.

2) Andy LaRoche made two errors and almost added a third.
If this is what we can expect from him,look for Neil Walker to be given a shot by mid-season.

3) Nyjer Morgan may be our favorite target,but his three hits yesterday were the type of hits that Morgan will have to have to successful.
Taking pitches to the opposite field and just putting the ball in play is what he will need to do and for one day,he did so.

4) Nice outing from Paul Maholm.
Six and two thirds innings allowing two runs (one earned) and scattered seven hits.

5) Wish I could say the same for Tyler Yates,who continues to struggle with control.

Bonus Round
Brandon Moss had pinch runner Joe Thurston dead to rights on a flyball in the Cardinal eighth and responded with a four hop throw from shallow right that allowed the Cardinal to score.
It's early,but opposing managers will put that in the file.

Back tomorrow with a big day with Pirates-Cardinals,Devils-Leafs and Meet the Suns night where we spoke to new Suns GM Robert Flannery....

Photo Credit
Capps:Elsa-Getty Images